Literally.
I know, I know. It goes against everything we learned growing up. Bow your heads and close your eyes. To do anything different seems awkward.
But within my four walls, I welcome the difference, always praying with my eyes wide open. When it comes to praying with others, however, I cave to tradition.
I don’t want to look weird or feel out of place — and my spirit groans every single time.
The only way I know how to describe what happens the moment I close my eyes to pray is to compare it to a Twilight Zone episode called Little Girl Lost. A child accidentally falls through an opening in the wall and enters a different dimension. She cries while floating around in the dark, trying to reach for her dog, who suffered the same fate.
Okay, so that’s a tad dramatic but it’s true. I close my eyes to pray and everything goes dark. Everything except for the distractions. They bark louder than any dog I know.
Is it Unbiblical to Pray with Our Eyes Open?
It’s not. There’s nothing in the Bible that says our eyes must be closed to communicate well with our God. When Jesus feeds the 5,000 he prays looking up to heaven. Were his eyes open? I believe so.
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” Matthew 14:17-19 [emphasis mine]
God doesn’t pay attention to what we wear, if we’ve showered, or if our hair is mussed or perfect. The tradition of closing our eyes is both understandable and honorable. We all want to be fully present, whether our eyes are open or closed. But since our conversation today is focused on the former, here are some tips for avoiding distractions:
How to Avoid Distractions When Praying With Eyes Wide Open
- Look up! Jesus set the example. The sky is vast and full of God’s glory. Like the ocean, it reminds us of our smallness and that is good.
- Journal prayers first. Write down the specifics first, and then pray. This way, when praying with our eyes open, the things we want to pray for surface quicker. Distractions, at least for me, tend to happen more when my heart/mind isn’t warmed up.
- Whenever possible, pray aloud. Hearing the words help to cement them in the heart. By the same token, praying out loud also helps me to “hear” the sins that are trying to squeak in the back door of my heart. Sometimes the simple tone of my request says it all. Combining the two ⏤eyes open and aloud⏤changed my prayer life.
Other Times We Can {and Should} Pray with Eyes Wide Open
- When driving. Or when the guy on your bumper scooches up just a little too close for comfort.
- When we’re outside. “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.” Job 37:14
- As we go through our day. Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to be alert in prayer. Staying attuned to the beauty and heartache that surrounds us every day gives us continual reasons to walk and pray throughout our day.
Writing is often cathartic and this post is one of those moments for me. If praying with my eyes wide open isn’t unbiblical and if my spirit groans when I try to pray like everyone else because of pride, I need to confess it and move forward in faith. Because this is what we know:
Eyes open, eyes closed. It matters not, as long as the heart is engaged.
- How to Pocket Your Prayers
- Hibernate in Prayer to Awaken Your Soul
- Why Be Yourself When You Can Be So Much More?
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Same thing for me when I close my eyes to pray — can’t focus and it’s dark! Love this post, Cathy! Thanks for sharing your heart.
It’s nice knowing I’m not alone, Connie. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to share.
I love praying with my eyes opened, hands stretched up and out, praising our Lord. It keeps me focused on all I want to pray for and give thanks.
I hear you, Elaine. Yes and amen! 🙂
With eyes wide open, I pray so often while driving. Music is nice, but praying in silence is even better as I drive. It makes for a perfect time to pray for strangers too! Those strangers who seem to be a bit off in their driving by weaving in and out of traffice or are busy doing something with one hand while keeping the other on the steering wheel. Only the Lord can multi-task while keeping us on the road to where He has us headed.
Love the encouraging message today.
Write on!
I couldn’t agree more, Carolyn! When I notice how many drivers are looking down at their phone it makes me pray even harder. Thank you for stopping by!
I enjoy each posture – eyes closed, eyes wide open – and find that it depends on the posture of my heart whether one or the other occurs. The fluid nature of prayer and praise before our Father is something I adore about Him. There was a time when I bowed my head and closed my eyes out of fear and shame. Praise God those days are washed clean and He has lifted my chin in confident acceptance of my soul. I appreciate the fact that your post snaps links in the chain of legalism. I much prefer to walk – and pray – in the freedom Christ died to give. Awesome post!
Yes — that’s the key. There’s both beauty and freedom in prayer regardless whether our eyes are open, shut tightly, sitting, standing, etc. It’s the communion we share in Christ that is to be our focus. I praise God for lifting your chin toward glory, sweet friend. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Cathy, I often pray with my eyes open and find the practice helpful. Whether our eyes are open or closed matters little as long as our hearts are focused on God. I like your idea to write prayer requests before we pray. Great post!
Amen, Jeannie! It’s all about the focus. I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for taking the time to share here. Your words are encouraging to me and to others too. Blessings, friend!
Love the new theme title and this post. The first time I was introduced to praying with the eyes open was when we were on a mission trip to France. Yes, Paris. It felt very odd and I was more distracted by the newness of the open eyes. BUT I love praying with my eyes open now. I am more able to focus if I’m alone and can speak aloud. And, now that you mention it, if I do close my eyes, wow, my brain goes all over the place! Beautiful post!
Thank you, Angie! 🙂 Wow, that is interesting — and very encouraging. Blessings, friend!
Paul tells us to pray without ceasing; our eyes cannot be closed all the time. I pray both ways – whatever suits the situation. You’re right. It doesn’t really matter as long as the heart is there.
Amen, Candyce! That’s all that really matters. Thanks for taking the time to share. 🙂
It’s difficult for me to pray with my eyes closed-P.O.T.S. and unmerciful vertigo-and I feel as if I have to explain myself. Also, my most heartfelt prayers happen out loud with eyes wide open, in my home. Thank you, Friend for your words!
I hope this post encouraged you not to feel as if you have to explain yourself. 🙂 Those who value prayer like you do require no explanation. They know that it’s the prayer that matters. ((( HUGS )))
Am so glad to know I’m not alone Ms. Cathy. I think I pray eyes wide open more than I do with them closed. Often, especially during my morning “God time”, I review my Prayer List on the screen. As I scroll down the list of each person, each need, each requestor, my eyes are open. As I pray for each, that might change. Often, I’ll close them after my words and just sit silently, listening for His guidance. It comes as a prompt to write a note, to pray something different, look up a scripture, or other action. When I feel I’ve received whatever answer I was seeking (even though many times it’s silence), I move on. Wonderful post ma’am. Thank you!
Hi, J.D.! Your “God time” sounds like very Spirit-led, which can’t help anything but beautiful. I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. Blessings, friend!
I definitely keep eyes open while praying and driving : ) And sometimes I almost have to pull over as the Lord’s presence fills the car and brings me to tears. I find praying at a church altar is a time to keep them closed to avoid the distractions around me. I agree with the praying out loud, it does make a difference and also stating scripture. Isn’t it wonderful that we have so many ways for effective prayer?! Thoughtful post, my friend : )
I couldn’t agree more, Cynthia. Yes, so many ways for effective prayer! Thank you for taking time to share. Blessings, friend!
Thank you for this post. I was thinking about this recently – whether my praying should always be “formal”, with closed eyes and me sitting or kneeling in a proper place. While that prayer position is still special to me, I think that open-eyed prayers remind us that God is in every situation. I recently began bird-watching and buying more feeders. I’ve often been led to pray when I watch the birds fly around.
That’s the beauty of prayer — we’re not limited to a particular position or place. 🙂 I enjoy the birds too. They remind me of God’s provision. (Matthew 6:26) Thank you for taking the time to share, Robin!