When I was little I used to try and peek at what was going on around me when my dad or the pastor or any adult was praying. I couldn’t keep my eyes closed and sit still long enough to make it through an entire prayer.
Somehow I always thought that I was being “naughty” by doing that. Even when no one knew. It seemed almost disrespectful, though I never intended it to be. Everyone just seemed to pray too long for my short attention span and my curiosity would always get the best of me.
I realized later that the whole point of closing our eyes during prayer was to maintain focus and avoid distraction. Clearly, this only worked in short snippets of time for my little impatient heart.
My philosophy now is a little different. I’m all about praying with my eyes OPEN. In the literal sense, it’s necessary if I’m going to “pray without ceasing”. If I am going to have an ongoing 24/7 open conversation with God, the vast majority of that time will be with my eyes open. Driving, walking, cleaning, working, shopping, etc. When I engage with a friend my eyes are open and my focus is on them entirely. I don’t have to shut my eyes to keep my mind from wandering from our conversation. Jesus is my friend. I can talk to Him, and yes even OUT LOUD sometimes, with my eyes wide open.
Ok, that’s literal. But what about in the analogical sense?
Yesterday my friend Shelly posted a quote from Oswald Chambers – “Faith is praying with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” I love that. “Faith is praying WITH OUR EYES ON GOD…” Wide open eyes. “Eyes” that are open and watching for what God is going to do. Open eyes that are ready to take in every little thing He does along the way. It’s too easy to “close our eyes” when things get difficult or scary. Avoidance. Denial. Closing our eyes so tightly to avoid the pain that we can’t see God answering the prayers we just prayed.Praying with our eyes open. Wide open. Watching with anticipation. Eager to not miss a thing. Trusting that He hears us and is answering in one way or another even if it’s not in our line of vision yet.
If our eyes are open, it soon will be. Its form and color may be different than we expected, but its beauty will be undeniable, because its purpose will always be God’s glory. And that is always a lovely thing.
I still close my physical eyes sometimes in prayer. But my goal is to always talk with God with my heart’s eyes staring into His.
Praying with my eyes open….
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Chronicles 16:11 – Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
Luke 18:1 – Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Colossians 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
