Comments on: #567. Opening your eyes in church when you’re supposed to be praying.

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:05:44 +0000

Yeah, Unicorn fish are real. Google "Naso unicornis". What? Some people are called to missions, I've been called to sell tropical fish.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:50:31 +0000

The apostles, Finney, and as far as I remember, Billy Graham were not interested in having people close their eyes and 'slip up their hands'. Billy, I recall, always stated, everyone that Jesus called forth, he called forth PUBLICLY. Their sins were public and they weren't ashamed before, but preachers treat conversion as though it were something to be ashamed of. Conversion is a public witness through and through. And don't ever forget it. "…PUBLICLY…" If they weren't willing to stand with everyone watching, like a marriage ceremony, then they certainly were not willing to cease fighting God's authority over their lives. If God has thoroughly convinced a sinner of God's rights and claims, there is nothing that will hinder the penitent from making reparation and getting right with God.

By: RM

RM — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:31:44 +0000

I started leaving my eyes open a lot of the time when I got contacts. keeping them closed for a long time with contacts in gives me blurry vision when I open them again, which is unpleasant.

By: June

June — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:50:46 +0000

Erm…I have really bad equilibrium and worse proprioception (oh yeah, I whipped those two out), so I generally either have to clutch the chair in front of me with a death grip or keep my eyes open. Otherwise, I will inevitably crash into the person standing next to me. I find that staring at my shoes is a good compromise. No distractions, and I can verify that, yes indeedy, my feet are still attached to the floor.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:01:51 +0000

I always have my eyes open during all prayer times, because I interpret for the deaf. Maintaining eye contact is important to good communication.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:24:13 +0000

related topic, touched on briefly above; prayer giggles - we've all had them, and the accompanying snort from trying to contain them.
The really frustrating thing is that they can be triggered by something or nothing.
Sometimes the something is the prayer preacher, who is actually praying at the congregation rather than to God.
Sometimes it's the grape juice that nobody bothered to check, that's been in the dodgy donated church fridge for too long and is now about 60%proof - but not at all nice for all that!
On the eyes closed thing, I remember as a kid willing myself to keep them closed through the entire pastoral prayers - not sure I ever made it, and the fact that I was concentrating on that pretty much ensured I wasn't actully connected & engaged in prayer myself.
I also remember the conversation with my dad where I discovered it wasn't a rule to keep your eyes closed, just something that helped you concentrate on talking to God instead of being distracted by the things around you. he even told me that sometimes having your eyes open could help you pray, because the things around you could remind you of people or situations to pray for, or things to thank God for. Always been grateful for that conversation.
Also, sometimes I pray when driving. I trust God to guide me, but not that much - eyes definitely open for that one.

wv - resti; something busy mums in particular have to guard against during prayer.

I closed my eyes for the prayer, and 5 minutes later suddenly realised I'd just been having a good old resti

By: Carly Jean

Carly Jean — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:43:14 +0000

just saying, sometimes at the end of the sermon, I am so tired wanting to go back to sleep, I am glad I am allowed to close my eyes without anyone noticing I'm secretly wanting to sleep. Our service starts at 8:15 on Sundays so it is quite early…

But other than that… I am perfectly cool with open eye praying… especially over meals… We don't talk to our friends with our eyes closed? why do we always have to talk to God with them closed? I understand the respect for the altar calls… that's why i usually bow my head, and I don't look around. I also understand with children too… but sometimes I think it is just habit, and culture. God transcends culture so I don't think you're going to the hot place below if you open your eyes during prayer or transition in the band…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:50:10 +0000

Yes, I have opened my eyes in church simply because I'm a lip reader. In other words, I'm deaf. I want to be able to understand the words being said.

By: MSmith

MSmith — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:34:12 +0000

Ok, huge confession here…during those "end of the series" sermons, which always meant asking people if they're ready to make a commitment to Christ? The pastor would be up on stage, we all had to close our eyes as we prayed, he'd ask if anyone was ready and if so, to just raise their hand (instead of the traditional alter call) and he would say "I see you…I see you…and I see you" as if many people were raising their hands. I'm not saying they weren't…but sometimes, sometimes you got the feeling they WEREN'T. And I just had to peek. But, I never knew if it was someone seated behind me. I felt terribly guilty and to this DAY wonder if the pastor was lying. Bad, bad Christian!

By: Elle Dubya

Elle Dubya — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:32:09 +0000

i have a 5 year old. one eye always has to be open!