Aquinas, who spent his life in study, knew the work as prayer and prayed it as work. This prayer he taught his students.
Catholic · Medieval (8th–15th c.)
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas before Study
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of thy light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning, direct the progress,
and help in the completion. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.