Luke 24:45  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (New Living Translation)

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This verse is in the middle of one of the most delightful and interesting chapters in the Bible. This chapter includes Luke’s account of the resurrection and his first account of Jesus’ ascension, which he adds to in Acts 1. There are so many good nuggets to ponder, it’s hard to focus on just one. 

This verse not only states a fact, but it also teaches us a prayer to pray. 

In verse 44, Jesus said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Before the resurrection, Jesus’ teaching was hard to comprehend because they had never conceived of such a revolutionary, turn the world right-side up kind of event. 

After the resurrection, those Old Testament stories took on a whole new meaning. It was as if they had decoder glasses, making parts of those ancient texts glow with new meaning. 

What Jesus did there in the upper room, he still does wherever we ponder the Bible’s words of truth and life. A regular, daily habit of Bible reading leads us into deeper understanding of God’s purpose for our lives, and a clearer path toward applying these truths everywhere we live, work, and play.

Here is a prayer to pray when we begin our time of Bible reading: “Open my mind to understand and apply your words of truth and life.”

One of my favorite clarifying statements, which works like a question, is, “Help me understand.” This comes in handy when discussing points of disagreement with coworkers, your child’s teachers, and in meetings where teams work together to solve problems and set goals. 

Jesus is eager to help us understand. He told parables that said far more than the stories themselves communicated. It was the pondering of these stories over time that brought them to life. This is why Jesus said, “whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.” You don’t get the whole story and the fuller meaning if you let his words go in one ear and out the other. Stories are stickier than directions. 

Praying, “Open my mind to understand and apply your words of truth and life” is like stepping up to the starting line of a race. It’s like putting your boots on as you prepare for a mountain hike. It’s like arriving at a Michelin Star restaurant with someone else paying the bill.

Take this prayer to heart. Deploy it daily. Trust the Spirit of God to interpret the heart of God so that you can live on mission for the glory of God.

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I will pray for understanding when I read the Bible and respond to what it says.

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Our Father, open my mind to understand and apply your words of truth and life today and every day. Give me ears to hear what you are saying. Give me a willing and obedient heart to do what you say. Amen.