St. Thomas Aquinas wrote this prayer for students and scholars in the 13th century, and it remains the gold standard for anyone opening a book, writing a paper, or preparing to teach. If you are studying theology, philosophy, science, or any discipline that demands clear thinking, this prayer asks God to clarify what is dark and order what is chaotic in your mind.
Ineffable Creator, who, out of the treasures of thy wisdom, hast ordained three hierarchies of angels, hast set them in marvelous order above the heavens, and hast assigned the parts of the universe so wondrously to each, who art truly called the source of light and wisdom and the most exalted principle, vouchsafe to pour forth a ray of thy brightness upon the dark places of my understanding; take from me the twofold darkness in which I was born, namely, sin and ignorance. Grant me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory, ease and exactness in learning, depth in interpreting, and abundant grace of expression. Order the beginning, direct the progress, and perfect the completion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Thomas Aquinas, 13th century
How this prayer works
The prayer asks for five intellectual gifts: sharp understanding, retentive memory, ease in learning, depth in interpretation, and grace in expression. Thomas, who wrote the Summa Theologica and synthesized Aristotle with Christian theology, knew that intellect is a fragile tool. Without God’s light, even the brightest mind stumbles in darkness.
He names the obstacle plainly: the twofold darkness of sin and ignorance. Sin clouds judgment; ignorance leaves us grasping. This prayer is not merely for academic success but for moral clarity. Thomas prayed it before writing and teaching, trusting that right thinking flows from right ordering of the soul.
Pray it before you open your laptop, before you crack a textbook, before you sit down to write. Pray the petition for memory when you are studying for an exam. Pray the petition for grace of expression when you are preparing to teach or speak. Return to it when the work feels tangled and you need the beginning ordered, the progress directed, the completion perfected.
Carry it with you through this day’s intellectual work.
