I know there are some practical reasons why sometimes it may be helpful, such as eliminating distractions, but the religious fervour with which we close our eyes on almost all occasions could make one believe that it is a prerequisite for prayer. There is no passage to read from the Bible today, because there is not even a phrase in the Old or New Testament which encourages us to close our eyes for prayer. (Unless you count something like "Fix your eyes upon Jesus", which following literally would mean you'd cause quite a few road accidents!)

Closing your eyes for prayer can be a real barrier to deepening spiritual intimacy amongst groups of Christians. Like many other things it is an example of faith becoming privatised, leaving us safe to sit in our own little worlds, never ever having to "share" our relationship with God by eye contact, while we're talking or listening to Him. Time after time, I have seen the honesty level and spiritual depth of my relationships with people go upwards once we have gone through this pain barrier. What are we embarrassed about?

There is also a problem in that in terms of our mental framework, closing your eyes keeps God in heaven or "someplace else". The unspoken message is that we have to cease our physical existence for a moment to get him to answer the "spirit-phone". Keeping your eyes open acknowledges that God is actually present wherever we are, by His Spirit. It helps to smash the false distinction between sacred and secular, or spiritual and physical.

To be honest, the closing of our eyes and squeezing of our minds to conjure up God could be described as closer to thought projection and various "New Age" teachings than Christianity. I'm not saying that it's "wrong" per se, but that we need some balance between open and closed!

Why not have a meal today with your "family" where you pray and talk throughout the meal, with your eyes open, talking to God as if he was another person sitting around the table, because he is present!

From God 360°, written and copyright © 2006 Andy Flannagan
Reproduced with permission from Andy Flannagan.

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