A Prayer Before Study

Ineffable Creator . . .

You are proclaimed

the true font of light and wisdom,

and the primal origin

raised high beyond all things.
Pour forth a ray of Your brightness

into the darkened places of my mind;

disperse from my soulthe two fold darkness

into which I was born: sin and ignorance.
You make eloquent the tongues of infants.

Refine my speech

and pour forth upon my lips

the goodness of Your blessing.
Grant to me keenness of mind,

capacity to remember,

skill in learning,

subtlety to interpret,

and eloquence in speech.

May You guide the beginning of my work,

direct its progress,

and bring it to completion.

You Who are true God and true Man,

Who live and reign, world without end.
Amen.