Prayer and the Study of the Word of God

The approach to the study of the Holy Scriptures is somewhat different from the approach to the study of other books. Of course in the study of the Bible we must of necessity apply our minds, and seek to understand the meaning of words and incidents and endeavor to see the relation of one part to another. That would be but natural. But if we desire to know the truth and understand something of the Author of this wonderful compilation of writings known as the Old and the New Testament, we need to do more than approach such study merely from the mental viewpoint. As we have already seen, there is such a thing as believing with the heart, and Bible religion is definitely a heart religion. It is true the mind plays an important part, but after all, the mind is the doorway to the heart. In order therefore to understand the Divine Oracles, in order to catch the inspiration and enjoy the experience of being led step by step into the fullness of the truth of God, we must see to it that prejudice is put aside, that our gins are forgiven, and that self is submerged. When we come with an earnest prayer in our hearts that God will open up to us the treasures of His word, He will, by His Spirit, lead us into a fuller understanding of this wonderful revelation from Heaven.BSPC 61.4

Notice some of the counsel through the Spirit of prophecy as to how we should approach the study of the word of God.BSPC 62.1

1. Do It With Earnest Prayer

“The Bible should never be studied without prayer.”—The Great Controversy, 599.BSPC 62.2

“As we study the Scriptures, we should pray for the light of God’s Holy Spirit to shine upon the word, that we may see and appreciate its treasures.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, 113.BSPC 62.3

2. Seek for the Guidance of the Holy Spirit

“Take your Bible and present yourself before your heavenly Father, saying, ‘Enlighten me; teach me what is truth.’ The Lord will regard your prayer, and the Holy Spirit will impress the truth upon your soul.”—The Signs of the Times, May 9, 1911.BSPC 62.4

3. Pray That Angels May Assist Us

“They [the Bereans] ... studied the Bible, not from curiosity, but in order that they might learn what had been written concerning the promised Messiah. Daily they searched the inspired records; and as they compared scripture with scripture, heavenly angels were beside them, enlightening their minds and impressing their hearts.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 231.BSPC 62.5

4. Come With Surrendered Hearts

“The student of the word should not make his opinions a center around which truth is to revolve. He should not search for the purpose of finding texts of Scripture that he can construe to prove his theories; for this is wresting the Scriptures to his own destruction. The Bible student must empty himself of every prejudice, lay his own ideas at the door of investigation, and with humble, subdued heart, with self hid in Christ, with earnest prayer, he should seek wisdom from God.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 461BSPC 62.6