catapult magazine

Do you all close your eyes when you praY? I am having a hard time with that time-honoured tradition as we speak.

What do you all think?

I was told when I was younger that it was to keep from distracting yourself. I guess I never agreed with that. I didn’t see evidence Biblically for it, and sometimes distractions can be good when praying. If I’m outside I can’t help but pray with my eyes open, because I like to look at creation. It’s inspiring especially when speaking with the creator. I think I close my eyes frequently in church because I do get distratced.

Jesus would look up to heaven when He prayed. I do find it helpful to close my eyes and find that my mind provides plenty of distractions that I can bring to God (since these are things that are obviously on my mind). It is so great how God meets me right where I am in my day even if I’m angry with Him or thinking He has nothing to offer me at that moment. Prayer does not have to be limited to a time when we are “being spiritual.” Some of my favorite times are when God meets me at work (I’m a training analyst for the Navy, so it’s not like I’m thinking about God in direct relation to my work).

Sometimes if I want to focus on some specific items for prayer I actually stand because if I’m sitting I may doze off …