By LIEZL THOM

PRETORIA, South Africa - Oscar Pistorius has turned to prayer and religion as his day on the witness stand draws near in his murder trial.

The double amputee sprinter known as Blade Runner is charged with killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a Valentine's Day shooting last year, but he was said to have found solace in the Bible last year in the wake of the tragedy.

During the trial, Pistorius has been seen fingering rosary beads and intensively studying the book "Breakthrough Prayer: The Power of Connecting with the Heart of God" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church's Pastor Jim Cymbal.

Oscar Pistorius is pictured during his trial holding rosary beads in his left hand in Pretoria, South Africa on March 6, 2014. Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

At times during the trial, Pistorius has writhed in agony and vomited during graphic descriptions of Steenkamp's wounds, but on other occasions Pistorius appeared to ignore the testimony, donned his glasses and was seen intently reading and highlighting passages from the book which features a number of stories of people using prayer to get through dark times.

The prosecution ended its case Tuesday and the defense will begin presenting its evidence when the trial resumes on Friday. Although his lawyers have confirmed that Pistorius will be called to testify, it is still unclear whether he will take the stand on Friday.

Pistorius, 27, could be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison if convicted of murder. He claims he shot Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door because he thought she was an intruder.

Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images