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Pray With Eyes Wide Open

March 15, 20114 Mins read

When we read and understand the bible, we are consuming Gods word. The word of God is not just a book. The word of God is all around us. God Spoke all things into existence. Everything in the universe arrived from the word of God. If you are one of those who always pray with your eyes closed, then you are missing the word of God. God is not resting on some far away galaxy waiting for you to reach Him in some sort of telepathy prayer. He won't speak in your head as though to answer either. He is right here with us. God is as close to us as anything else we can hear, feel, and touch. Walking and taking to Jesus is no different than if He was right here with us, talking with us, holding our hand. Would you walk and talk with your best friend with your eyes closed? I think not.

What We Do With Our Eyes Is Important.

"Eyes are a lamp for the body"

"Eyes help purify our spiritual vision"

"Eyes will focus on what matters most"

Why Are Our Eyes So Important?

J

esus said, "If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light" (Matthew 6:22). What we do with our eyes is really important!

The Lust of the Eyes

Living in our world today "the lust of the eyes" tempts us (1 John 2:15-17) to take pleasure from looking upon someone or something that is not ours—or desiring to be the one that is looked upon with desire from others. We think that no one knows about our secret looks or desires and that they're harmless.

Lust excites our desires and provides pleasure. It also leaves us empty, guilty, and trapped in a downward slide in which more and more we think about the object of our lust and seek gratification. It keeps taking more and more lust gratification to provide pleasure that temporarily helps us to not feel so bad. Over the years I have found healing in this area. Christian leaders of all kind are prone to attack in this area and many have fallen and lose their effectiveness for God. I openly share with all kinds of people struggling with the lust of the eyes which has manifested in struggles with pornography, flirting or having affairs.

Coveting

But lust isn't limited to sexual sin. "Lust" is an intense, unregulated desire. We might see how other people are blessed or have achieved success and desire that for ourselves, as lust mixes with jealousy, envy, or selfish ambition. We might lust for more success or power which can lead to workaholism. We might lust for people to be happy with us or impressed by us and become "people pleasers." We might lust to buy things and then "shop until we drop."

Coveting of all types readily becomes compulsive, it always crowds out Christ, and it never leads to contentment. It's no wonder God warned us against it in the Ten Commandments.

So why pray with Our Eyes

Praying with our eyes helps to purify our vision, focusing us on what is truly good and beautiful: God and his kingdom. So David prays, "I have set the Lord always before me because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken" (Psalm 16:8). He knows that the Lord is actually right beside him and so he sets his eyes on him and follows him continually.

Reasons To Pray With Your Eyes Open

Below are six reasons why you might prefer to pray with your eyes opened:

  • When praying while walking: During such times, keeping your eyes wide open might help you avoid getting hurt.
  • When expressing gratitude, particularly when it relates to the creation: With eyes open, one may experience richer prayers in response to an inspiring scene or soaring eagle.
  • When blessing others: When praying for a child that is being dedicated or a baptismal candidate, you can keep your eyes open.
  • When offering prayers for passersby and strangers: When praying for people unfamiliar to you, it is advisable to keep your eyes open.
  • Upon seeing injustice or pain: Even though it can be easy to turn away from upsetting images, there are times when it is best to bear witness as we pray.
  • Anytime: No situation calls for praying with our eyes closed, just as there is no time when prayer is improper. In fact, there are numerous circumstances in which praying with our eyes open might result in more focused and effective prayers.

This little prayer, "Eyes of Prayer," inspired by Psalm 101 helps us to practice giving our eyes to God. It's helped me and others to renounce lust and devote our eyes to God.

Eyes Of Prayer

O Risen Christ, shining in glory, you captivate me.

I will lift my eyes up to you alone;

I will set before my eyes no vile thing;

I will keep my eyes on the faithful.

My eyes are your lamp, my body is your temple—you are my one desire.

(John 8:12; Psalm 123:1, 101:3, 6; Matthew 6:22; 1 Corinthians 6:19)

Offer your Eyes to God

In the Bible we're taught to offer the members or parts of our bodies to God (for instance, see Romans 6:13). Our eyes are an important place to start! Praying with our eyes and the eyes of our heart in this way opens the way for our whole body to be full of light and for us to become the light of the world we live in with the light of Christ shining out from us to minister to those in our circle of influence and draw them to Christ with us.

To pray with our eyes is to use our bodies in prayer, which helps us to engage our mind and heart on the Lord. (The Psalmist uses a variety of body postures and expressions in prayer and worship.) As you pray "Eyes of Prayer," try using your eyes intentionally to help you pray:

Lift up your eyes to set your sights on Christ in the heavens just above you (first two lines)

Close your eyes to refuse the lust of the eyes (third line)

Look straight ahead with love for your neighbor (fourth line)

Look back up to Christ (fifth line)

What form of lust are you most tempted by? Confess that to the Lord…

Then with that struggle in mind pray "Eyes of Prayer" again—with your physical eyes and the eyes of your heart.

More Bible Bytes

It helps me to be attuned to God's presence to memorize a short Bible-based prayer like "Eyes of Prayer" and then to use it for prayer moments throughout the day. This is like using the Jesus' Prayer.

Setting our sights on God is a form of meditation. In "Chew your Cud on God's Word" I briefly describe how you can use Scripture to renew your mind.

Practice God's Presence

The Father's love was enough for Jesus on the cross and it is enough for us in our trials!

You can use your own songs and favorite bible verses to sing your own praises to God. The purpose is, to stay in conscious contact with God throughout your day, to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to Rejoice always! (Philippians 4:4-8). As often as you can remember to praise, pray, and give thanksgiving to the one and only God, He will be your teacher and you will be His apprentice.

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Ron Bender
Ron Bender

One important thing to learn early on about prayer is that it truly is a conversation. Just as God really does speak to us in his word, he is also really listening when we pray. It may just feel like journaling out loud at times, but He is always on the other side of your prayers . . .