Illumine our hearts, O Lord who lovest mankind,
with the pure light of thy divine knowledge,
and open the eyes of our mind
to the understanding of thy gospel teachings.
Implant in us also the fear of thy blessed commandments,
that trampling down all carnal desires,
we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living,
both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto thee.
For thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies,
O Christ our God,
and unto thee we ascribe glory,
together with thy Father who is from everlasting
and thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit,
now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
ORTHODOX ANCIENT; TRADITIONAL ORTHODOX LITURGICAL PRAYER
Prayer Before Reading Scripture
Also known as Illumine Our Hearts, O Lord ยท Orthodox Prayer Before the Gospel
About this prayer
This prayer is said before reading the Scriptures in Orthodox practice, both in the liturgical setting and in private devotion. It asks God to illuminate the heart with the light of understanding through the Holy Spirit, so that the scriptures may be read, understood, and put into practice. The prayer reflects the Orthodox theological principle that scripture is not read by human intellect alone but requires the illumination of the Spirit who inspired it. The same Spirit who gave the scripture to the prophets and apostles is asked to open the reader's heart to receive it. The prayer is said silently by the priest before reading the Gospel in the Divine Liturgy and aloud in personal scripture reading.
When it's said
This prayer is said by the priest before the Gospel reading in the Divine Liturgy, said silently. It is also used in personal prayer before reading Scripture, and in monastic communities before Scripture reading at meals or during the Office. It may be said before any serious engagement with the biblical text.
Notes on the text
The phrase 'trampling down all carnal desires' reflects the ascetic tradition of Orthodox Christianity, in which the spiritual life involves disciplining the bodily passions so that the soul may be more receptive to God. The prayer's doxological conclusion follows the standard Orthodox trinitarian pattern.
Source
Traditional Orthodox liturgical prayer. English text from the Service Book of the Holy Orthodox Church, compiled by Isabel F. Hapgood, 1906. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.