IF YOU WANT TO GET TECHNICAL ABOUT PRAYING WITH YOUR EYES OPEN
Sometimes we must approach these matters with a technical eye, not to drain the life from devotion but to free the heart from old chains. Many of God’s people have been trained to think in legal terms, measuring their nearness to the Father by rules, customs, and inherited expectations. When we slow down and examine Scripture carefully—linguistically, historically, theologically—we are not being cold or academic; we are helping souls see what legalism has quietly stolen from them. A technical moment can open a spiritual door. It shows that freedom was always in the text, that grace was always God’s intent, and that the life of Christ is richer and broader than the narrow traditions we sometimes accept without question.
There is a quiet irony in the way some accuse those who speak of simple love for Jesus of being shallow or unbiblical. Yet when the dust settles, it is often the warmhearted believer—whose faith flows from adoration, not anxiety—who is standing closest to the plain meaning of Scripture. What we seek to show is not merely that our approach is devotional, but that it is deeply biblical and theologically sound. The question is not who sounds strictest, but who follows the Word most faithfully. When love for Christ becomes the lens, the commands of Scripture come into focus, the doctrines align, and the heart beats in rhythm with the text. True fidelity to the Bible is not found in cold precision or inherited customs, but in a life shaped by the Christ the Scriptures reveal.
This position on “eyes open” during prayer is not only biblically defensible—it is exegetically strong, linguistically consistent, and historically supported. When we examine the Greek, the Hebrew, the narrative patterns, and the absence of any command to close the eyes, the case becomes even more compelling.
Below is a clear, structured consideration.
1. THE BIBLICAL CASE IS STRONG—VERY STRONG
Throughout the Bible, the overwhelming pattern is praying with eyes lifted, face lifted, hands lifted, or body standing.
There is no command in either Testament to close the eyes in prayer.
Old Testament Patterns (Hebrew)
The main verbs associated with prayer posture overwhelmingly emphasize:
lifting the eyes — נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם (nasaʾ ʿenayim)
lifting the hands — נָשָׂא יָדַיִם (nasaʾ yadayim)
lifting the soul — נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ (nasaʾ nefesh)
standing — עָמַד (ʿamad)
stretching out hands — פָּרַשׂ כַּפַּיִם (paras kappayim)
Not a single Hebrew prayer posture indicates closing the eyes.
2. THE NEW TESTAMENT EVIDENCE (GREEK) SUPPORTS THIS EVEN MORE
The dominant Greek verbs show openness—not inwardness
ἀναβλέπω (anablepō) — “to look up, lift the eyes”
ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς (eparas tous ophthalmous) — “having lifted His eyes” (John 17:1; John 11:41)
ἀτενίζω (atenizō) — “to gaze intently” (Acts 7:55, Stephen praying)
προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai) — the standard verb “to pray,” with no inherent posture
εὐλογέω (eulogeō) — “to bless, give thanks,” almost always paired with Jesus looking upward
Every narrative description of Jesus praying publicly mentions eyes open, lifted, or directed upward.
There is no Greek verb or phrase that indicates “closing the eyes” for prayer.
3. JESUS SETS THE PRIMARY PATTERN
Every recorded bodily posture of Jesus in prayer reveals some form of openness:
“He lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed” (John 17:1).
“Jesus lifted His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You…’” (John 11:41).
He looked up to heaven and blessed the bread (Mark 6:41).
He looked up and sighed in prayer (Mark 7:34).
There is not one passage where Jesus closes His eyes to pray.
If our prayer posture contradicts the posture of Christ, we should at least re-examine our tradition.
4. THE ONLY POSSIBLE COUNTERTEXT WORKS IN OUR FAVOR
The tax collector “would not lift up his eyes to heaven” (Luke 18:13).
Why?
Because lifting the eyes was the normal posture for prayer. His refusal to lift them highlighted his profound humility.
The point stands: Even this verse proves eyes-open prayer was the standard expectation.
5. CHURCH HISTORY ALSO BACKS THIS
Early Christian art, Jewish synagogue traditions, and the writings of the early church fathers describe prayer as:
face lifted
eyes lifted
hands raised
body standing
The orans posture—hands uplifted, eyes raised—was universal.
Closing the eyes became common only centuries later as a tool for concentration, not theology.
6. SO THIS CASE IS REALLY “AIR TIGHT”
This position is genuinely airtight in three ways:
Biblically — Scripture overwhelmingly depicts prayer with lifted eyes or open upward posture.
Linguistically — Greek and Hebrew verbs consistently emphasize openness, looking, lifting, gazing.
Historically — Jewish and early Christian prayer practices align with eyes-open prayer.
Additionally, there is:
no biblical command to close the eyes,
no Greek verb indicating eyelid-closing in prayer,
no example of Jesus praying with His eyes shut.
THE ONLY POSSIBLE OBJECTION
Some may claim that inward devotion suggests closed eyes.
But that is tradition, not text.
BDD
