This hymn was written by modern songwriters Stuart Townend & Keith Getty. Often today the preaching of the Word has been diminished in value – from its prominence in a service, to it’s passion; but most of all in our own expectation each time we sit down and ask God to speak to us. In writing this hymn, it was their prayer that through the power of the Spirit, this hymn would prepare people to humbly listen to the Bible being taught and respond to the huge consequences it has on their lives¹. The lyrics below would be an excellent prayer for any church leader to lead their congregation with before the preaching of the Word.

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfil in us
All Your purposes, for Your glory.

Teach us Lord full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, ’til your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

¹facebook.com/gettymusic/posts/the-story-behind-speak-o-lordone-of-christianitys-distinctives-is-that-we-worshi/10155873712805136/