Most of us grew up in homes where we were taught to close our eyes when praying. Of course, the art of meaningful prayer is tantamount to policy and procure where we assume the position and follow through accordingly. For the purpose of giving new meaning to praying for effectiveness, the essay here is entitled, ‘Praying With Eyes Wide Open.’ I’m sure in some, it is bound to stimulate reaction, sparking the question, “Is it really possible to  pray with one’s eyes open?” We all know generically speaking it is not something that is practiced. I hasten to explain that I’m making a play on words to illustrate a point, and there’s an inherent message here. It could be subtle or as graphic as you’d want to make it. Know too, that I am not referring to one’s literary eyes, but instead, the opening of the mind to God as one communes with Him with prayer being the first option. In that context, this is what I truly mean by praying with one’s eyes open: It’s the ability to see the bigger picture of your life where you’re in tune to all of the resources available to you while you stick closer to Him, with a single purpose of understanding where you are as you pray. My main purpose is to help you see what is involved in prayer, and how the title can be instrumental in you embracing prayer from yet, another perspective. Teaching kids to pray should be one of the most enjoyable aspects of giving them purpose in knowing whom they’re praying to. There’s debates among Christian and Bible scholars concerning a few aspects of prayer, chief among them that common prayer is NOT a gift of the Holy Spirit. My research found me rummaging through the bible to find clarity. I found out that prayer is not listed among the spiritual gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. In my opinion I feel that it is for good reason that God arranged it this way. It is no secret that there are some people who believe that they cannot pray and should not pray…preferring to call others because they believe these people are perceived to be ‘gifted.’ 

    I’ve always felt that prayer is the opening of the heart to God as you would a close friend, someone you trust. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what you are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. It’s important to know that prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. So simply put, prayer is communications with the Lord denoting a sense of intimacy that He desires with us. Is it no wonder that Jesus taught His Disciples how to pray, with “Our Father”? That speaks to a paternal father-child relationship in obedience and reverence. A basic understanding of this lends to praying with one’s eyes wide open—being aware that to know Him is to get closer to see what needs to be seen through a meaningful relationship with HIM. So it is possible for anyone to come to God in prayer in proper stance and parlance, because it is not our words that impress Him, but the contrite nature of our hearts. Therefore, anyone can get the attention of God as long as you keep your eyes open as long as the heart is pure!

    Are there any other aspects of prayer, where something is to be seen while we have our eyes open? Let me answer for you: Yes! In Psalms 54:2 there are three important points: the One to whom prayer ought to be directed (God); the one who ought to pray (you); and what is involved in our prayers (our words). Praying with our eyes open involves knowing to whom we address our prayers to with them being open, honest and with humble demeanors. It is also about praying with the understanding and knowledge that GOD is not only our Creator but also our Friend. Eye-opening prayer encompasses all that can be seen for better periphery for brighter horizons. The good news about seeing things from such a wider perspective involves how He makes it possible through the means of prayer for all people to reach Him. Let’s be specific in our prayers…let’s pray that the ‘village’ rise up again for prominence; let’s pray that our children are taught disciplines beyond the streets where our young boys can pull up their pants and young girls can close the candy store and demand respect; let’s pray that we can justify our faith by keeping our heads to the sky. In doing all of the above we would be keeping our eyes wide open when we pray for maximal effect!  As I pray with my eyes open I don’t want to miss nothing that I may pray to Him to make all of the above better!