'With Every Eye Closed'...or Maybe Not

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"With all prayer and petition, pray with specific requests at all times, on every occasion and in every season in the spirit; and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition, interceding in prayer for all God's people."—Ephesians 6:18, Amplified

Earlier this week, I heard on the radio a well-respected pastor encourage his flock to do something quite shocking: "pray with your eyes open." Speaking for many who would rather not admit as much, the pastor confessed that often when he closes his eyes to pray...he falls asleep or zones out.

Surely, there's a time and place for closing one's eyes to pray, but sometimes, when you don't know exactly what to pray, or when you're so burdened or distracted (or tired), the next thing you know, you're experiencing one of those jolting "hey, where am I—what time is it?" moments. (See Peter, James, and John in Gethsemane.)

Which might be one reason why Peter urges the faithful to stay alert for the roaring lion who would try to devour one-on-One communion and the motivation to pursue same, and why Paul pleads to God on the Church's behalf that the eyes of their hearts would be opened. In the gospels, when we see Jesus  praying, He's often looking heavenward, not "with every head bowed and every eye closed." In fact, there appears to be no Biblical mandate that says one must close one's eyes in order to pray effectively. It's a good, humbling, reverent prayer posture that's been handed down through the history of the Church. But it's good to know that God is OK with other options, too.

Especially good to know when praying while driving.

Or, when God puts someone on your heart, and you don't know why—so, now what? Praying with eyes wide open, and Bible wide open, can be one of the most powerful postures you could assume on behalf of that friend, or loved one, or your pastor. More than ancient words for another time and place, the prayers and promises within the Bible spoken over another person's life are as active and alive as ever. Sometimes, the King James' poetic flow can knock it out of the park, and sometimes, one of the more modern translations can put into words what your own tongue and brain can't articulate at the moment.

The one that follows, for example, might be one of the best any of us could stand on, this or any week...

God of our Lord Jesus the Anointed, Father of Glory:

I call out to You on behalf of _____________.

Give _______ a mind ready to receive wisdom and revelation

So [he/she] will truly know You.

Open the eyes of ________ heart,

And let the light of Your truth flood in.

Shine Your light on the hope You are calling _______to embrace.

Reveal to ________the glorious riches

You are preparing as [his/her] inheritance.

Let ___________ see the full extent of Your power

That is at work in [him/her and] those of us who believe,

And may it be done according to Your might and power.

EPHESIANS 1:17-19, The Voice