Hands Folded, Eyes Closed

Weeks ago I stumbled on the blog ἐν χριστῳ (how does one type that? copy and paste to the rescue!), the author recently asked: do we have to close our eyes to pray?
First, it seems to me that the Bible clearly doesn't require Christians to close their eyes in order to have a more 'spiritual' prayer. Jesus did say in Matthew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Note that Jesus teaches the disciples to close the door, and not the eyes. Doors have to be closed i think because Jesus wants the prayer to be sincere and not a self-performance in front of many people. Therefore the main thing about prayer is a sincere and honest heart, and not a ritual eyes closed.

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Third, we should be dare enough to continually question our tradition. If we believe in Sola Scriptura, then every tradition must always be renewed and aligned with the teachings of the Bible. It means that we will never give tradition a status of ex cathedra. Tradition is not infallible. Yes, tradition is very important for our theology. One of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral is tradition. However, it should be understood also that the only reason why tradition is so important is because in building theology we have to know our history and our past that has formed us now. It is completely wrong if we use tradition as a reason for us to be rigid and changeless. It is not the purpose of being familiar with tradition. When we know and become critical to our tradition, then it will help us to grow. We can learn from our past mistakes and then improve ourselves for a better and brighter future.

I'm positive there are myriad reasons for keeping our eyes closed, if for no other reason than it closes out visual distractions. Could the state of our eyelids really negate communication with God? I think not. Still, even if someone proves that keeping our eyes closed is theologically unnecessary, I think most people would continue doing so.

Nothing can silence the ever-present chiding of your 3rd grade sunday school teacher.

Thoughts?

[During a "rebellious" streak in college I experimented with lots of ways of connecting with God, eyes open whilst praying being one of them. It was a very weird experience the first couple of times (protip: God will connect with you anywhere, anytime and in pretty much any way if you're truly seeking).]

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Comments (14)

I think that there are a number of situations where praying with your eyes open is extremely beneficial, for instance:

1. When prayer walking - you look stupid and it's dangerous otherwise
2. When driving - fairly obvious
3. In prayer meetings where your extremely tired - I find it easier to stay awake and concentrate on the meeting with my eyes open
4. At times God informs your prayers by what you see - this can happen with your eyes closed "internally" but also with eyes open and seeing externally.

Both are good in different circumstances (and sometimes even in the same circumstances). But I don't think one or the other is more "proper".
I tend to pray with my eyes open when I am alone. I also pray with my eyes open when I pray in a group that is larger than about 3 people because there is often a bit of coordination that is required in praying in a large group. When there is a clear "order" of prayer in a larger group and my eyes open is distracting because of things going on around me then I might close my eyes.

One issue I have with "eyes closed" praying is that it tends to lead us to think that we are having a conversation with God by ourselves, even when we are praying as part of a large group. That bias, particularly in evangelical "me and God" Christianity weakens the sense of the body that should be present in our prayers.
I loved it when one of the younger people in my church was rebuked by an elderly lady for praying with his eyes open during a prayer meeting. How she know?
Prayer to me is "talking" to God as if He's my very best friend and He is~ I go throughout my day "praying" all the time..I feel that there are those "special" prayer times in the morning & evenings when I "awake" and connect to my Lord to start my day out[also when I end my evening] those times I do get on my knees and usually close my eyes........but at all other times I feel my prayers/ talking with Him is part of my relationship I have with Him daily~I simply can not imagine what someones life is like WITHOUT Jesus Christ in it; I pray for them continuely~~:) God bless us ALL, everyone~
I don't like to close my eyes when I'm on the sound desk at church, but I don't like to look around either. At home I rarely pray with my eyes closed. My favourite prayer experience was praying with eyes open and hands raised over a village in North Africa. I tried to lead our youth fellowship in an eyes-open prayer but it failed because it just didn't feel right. I feel weird if I am reading a prayer while everyone has their eyes closed.
I rarely pray with my eyes closed. I especially like praying while looking upon creation.
I love the fact that God wants a personal relationship with me. He's our heavenly dad and we're His kids and he loves it when we talk with Him. So instead of praying to a set formula the way I was taught in primary school and Catholic church, I talk to Him about my feelings, about what I'm up to, what I dream, what I did today, all that stuff. I tell Him how much I appreciate and am grateful for what He's done and doing for me. I do all this in the car, shower, on the toilet (oh shock horror I hear some say) at work, whenever, where ever. I believe He wants us to actually "Be" with Him and just praying 'parrot' fashion the same old formula stuff, then I don't think it's so much of a relationship as it is a duty.
While I'm with others I pray with my eyes closed because it's easier for me to focus on God but by myself not too often.
Praying with your eyes closed seems alot like alter calls, it is a tradition for the sake of tradition. Neither one is found in Scripture and they seem like they are overemphasized. Just my take for what its worth
I too pray with my eyes open when I am alone. Although I'm looking at something else, or engaged in doing something, my focus is on God. My most honest and real prayers have been when I am actually in a conversation with God; He speaks back, in my mind that is, although sometimes I talk out loud, or whisper. Those times are extremely rare but I wish it was more often.

It is really difficult for me to pray in group settings even with eyes closed. It seems as though the whole group or most of it, needs to really be in tune with the Holy Spirit in order for that to be a fulfilling experience for me personally. There are just too many contagious inhibitions otherwise.
Pray your hearts out, never stop and it doesn't matter how you do it. I went to a lay speaker class just last weekend and we talked abou prayer. All the different types of prayer, like in Psalms and how Jesus taught the disciples to pray. The proper prayer for the proper setting, like prayers of confession and prayers of faith. It is however important to realize that prayer is what we do to communicate with our Father. He wants us to talk to him in prayer or however you want. He listens to us and grants us what we need. In God's Grace John

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