There are a thousand ways to pray. pray with your eyes open is one of these ways. Many suggest that when one prays with their eyes closed, the exterior surroundings and senses lose their hold, and the soul develops a sharper concentration on God’s presence and the prayer being uttered.
But can you pray with your eyes open? Yes. You can pray with your eyes open. In fact, the Bible does not state that believers have to pray with their eyes closed. So, if you feel like praying while your eyes are open, go ahead and utter that prayer.
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.
Is There a Correct Posture for Prayers?
Many postures can be utilized while making a prayer, and none of them is right or wrong.
The postures utilized by people in the Bible to pray include the following:
- Sitting
- Lifting the hands up
- Standing
- Bowing down
- Looking upwards
- Kneeling
- Facing the temple
- Pounding on the breast
- Putting the head in between the knees
The Bible stresses the posture of the heart rather than the outward posture. It doesn’t matter if you’re sitting, standing, or lying down; what matters is that your heart is bowed in obedience to Christ’s authority.
False religion emphasizes outward conduct, but genuine Christianity is heart-centered. And authentic prayer is distinguished by a spirit of humility before God, not by how the person is positioned when praying.
How to Amplify Your Prayer Experience by Using Your Entire Body
Standing with Your Arms Extended and Looking Upward
The oldest posture for prayer is this one. This viewpoint affirms our belief that God is supreme, eternal, and transcendent. It is an expression of adoration for our heavenly Father. We can request God’s mercy and blessings by standing, stretching our arms, and looking upward.
This posture is commonly used in Jewish synagogues and Eastern churches. When blessing the Eucharist for communion, priests of many Western churches also utilize it.
Perhaps the most common place you will see people using this posture is when singing praise and worship songs. Since singing is considered a form of prayer, you may sing to God while standing with extended arms and looking upward to heaven.
Kneeling
Different postures can be used when kneeling in prayer. You may clasp your hands and make a downward gaze. Others may be looking up while raising their hands to God.
Kneeling is typically used to convey humility and surrender. When you approach a king, especially if you have a request, you should do so respectfully. By kneeling, we accept God as our Lord and King.
Given that many churches in the West have kneelers, this may be the most typical prayer position.
Laying Prostrate
This is the position for moments when you simply want to fall at God’s feet and present your entire being to Him.
Jesus utilized this position when praying to God that he may take the cup of suffering away from him.
Clasping Hands When Seated
It’s interesting to note that praying while seated is a more recent practice. However, even while seated, you can adopt a posture of adoration and thanksgiving (hands up, head looking up) or humbling and pleading (hands clasped, head bowed).
What Are the Benefits of Prayers
Below are some of the benefits of praying to God:
- Prayer helps us in keeping our attention on what matters.
- Under challenging circumstances, prayer can help us maintain our hope.
- We can feel more closely related to God through prayer.
- We can deal with challenging emotions and events with the aid of prayer.
- We can find solace and calm via prayer.
- We can strengthen our relationship with God through prayer.
- We can develop greater compassion through praying.
- When things are tough, prayer can help us.
- Prayer can help us maintain mental and emotional clarity.
- We can communicate with Jesus through prayer and seek help and support in our daily lives.
Should You Pray Out Loud?
Depending on your comfort level and circumstances, you can choose whether to pray aloud or in silence. You’ll probably gain more confidence praying loud with time.
If you are praying for a person who is right there with you, it might motivate them to hear your faith reflected through your prayers. However, if you discover that praying in silence helps you concentrate more on God than a prayer partner, go for it.
The one time when silence is essential is when we’re trying to listen to God. If you do all the talking, it will be more difficult for you to understand what He is saying.
Final Take
We hope this article has answered your question; can you pray with your eyes open? Yes. You can pray with your eyes open.
Reasons to pray with your eyes open include; when praying while walking, blessing others, praying for strangers, expressing gratitude, particularly when it relates to the creation, and seeing injustice or pain.
Additionally, there is no limit to praying with your eyes open. This means that you can pray with your eyes open anytime you wish to.
