Reasons why we pray with our eyes closed

Did the Bible instruct us always to close our eyes when we pray? The answer is no. The only thing Jesus told us about praying can be found in Matthew 6:5-6:

“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you; they have their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.”

And this is more of not trying to show off but instead genuinely praying from our heart not for people to see but from a desire to speak to God. There is no place in the Bible where it is clearly stated that we should close our eyes when we pray. But praying with our eyes closed, is very important for the following reasons.

1. To avoid distractions when we pray
The first reason why we close our eyes when we pray is to try to separate ourselves from our surroundings and every form of distractions so we can focus on our prayer. No matter where we are praying, whether it is in our private closet or a public meeting, there are many things that will inevitably distract us or try to take our attention and the only way to avoid them and focus on our prayer is to close our eyes while praying so that we can be focused and our hearts fixed on God while praying. And that takes us to the next point.


2. To quiet our minds and focus on God
When we pray, we want to do that with a quiet and clear mind so that we can fully focus on God. As we pray, we also meditate and try to listen to God speak to us. And that cannot be possible if we have a lot of things on our minds. So we close our eyes so we can focus on God, quiet our minds and fix our hearts on him.

3. To connect with God in the spirit realm
When we pray with our eyes closed, our physical eyes are closed, and we can transcend into the spirit realm. It is just like the way people try to do some form of meditation that makes them transcend beyond the physical realm. God is a spirit being, and when we close our eyes to pray, it gives us a sense of being drawn closer to God. It allows our spirit man to focus and connect with the spirit of God. Of course, our spirit is connected to God spirit even without our eyes closed, but in prayer, we are communicating with God more and connecting with him more.

4. To prevent the mind from wandering.
The mind can easily wander and closing our eyes helps us in preventing our hearts from wandering in the midst of prayers.


Although praying with our eyes closed is not a law and it is not compulsory, but it is a necessity for us to be effective when we pray. And with the eyes closed, we can choose to sit, stand, kneel or lie on the ground when we pray. But these are not the most important things. The most important thing when we pray is to praying from a genuine heart and an open heart. And also having the faith that God is able and willing to answer our prayers. And remember, pray without ceasing meaning pray always, make it a lifestyle because it is the will of God.

My mind wonder alot whenever I pray even though I try so much to avoid that

One Sentence!!!

DrBrainstorm:
One Sentence!!!

Counter question: Now that you have freedom and knowledge, did you force the religion on yourself or you believed because it is the truth?

GforGee:


Counter question: Now that you have freedom and knowledge, did you force the religion on yourself or you believed because it is the truth?

Sorry your "Counter question" does not address my post

DrBrainstorm:

Sorry your "Counter question" does not address my post

I was replying to message in the picture you uploaded ☺