That's it really.
I did a quick concordance search concerning praying and nowhere did I find any mention of closing one's eyes during prayer?
So why does it seem compulsory these days to close one's eyes?
So why does it seem compulsory these days to close one's eyes?
You're specialWhen I'm awake I pray according to God's Will and offer Praise to Him throughout the day. Even in sleep I pray and offer Praise to God throughout the night.
So because I am a Child of God and are led by His Spirit Rom. 8:14,
my eyes open and close according to His Will, not mine Eph. 1:11; 3:20,
and I never even give it a thought!
~~~~~
Because I don't want to see God's lips when he says no.
No is an answer to prayer by the way, most Christians haven't figured that out.
I've been in many churches where the pastor intoned, "Every head bowed, every eye closed." That isn't a call in my Presbyterian home. Our little church has lovely stained glass windows. The more recent additions, behind the alter, were necessitated by a storm and were designed and created by my mother years and years ago. Two of the forward windows are clear, pre-civil war glass that warps a bit, but they give a lovely view of a meadow. I find them as comforting as great music and part of the experience.
Because I don't want to see God's lips when he says no.
No is an answer to prayer by the way, most Christians haven't figured that out.
Matthew 6:5-7
Perhaps it is related to the hypocrisy of boastful prayer in public where ones piety is on display.
I can't see that I am being seen with my eyes closed.
We all open our eyes at times in public prayer. Doesn't that put you focus on those around you instead?
You're special
Relative to your last sentence and the assumption that we can focus better with our eyes closed - humans manage to do the most complicated jobs, requiring intense focus, and they do this perfectly fine with their eyes open. Praying to God with eyes closed, IMO is NOT about focus, but rather a tradition. Jews pray at the Wailing Wall, eyes open, reading from a book, head bobbing. The guy from Fiddler on the Roof just spoke to God, eyes wide open, head looking skywards, saying "Would it foil some vast eternal plan, if I were a wealthy man?" etc.
I could make the opposite case that closing eyes can make one more sleepy. That said, most times I too pray with eyes closed, probably through habit.
Ps. I like the motorbike in your avatar.
Our little church has lovely stained glass windows.
I found this link you might like
http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/do-i-have-to-close-my-eyes-when-i-pray/
:zoomin: Thanks.
God answers prayers that aren't selfish. All the time, everyday, or sometimes years later.