30 Days of Prayer: Pray for Eyes that Can See (Day 1) - Be Whole, Mom

Welcome to our 30 Days of Prayer series!  I am so glad you are here.  For the last 15 years that I have been actively walking with our Abba, He has taught me many things about prayer and the life of a believer.  I have seen my life change and had my eyes opened over and over and over again, but I have also experienced the blessing of seeing lives changed forever in the answer to my prayers.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ~ 1 Pet. 3: 12

What a good and amazing God we serve who has vowed to answer the prayers of the righteous ones.  We need not be perfect, but rather to trust wholly in the saving grace of faith through the work that Christ did on the cross.  When we are firmly planted on His work, we naturally approach the throne of God with reverence and thanksgiving.

This can, however, be difficult to access for some people.  Many of us have barricades and walls up that get in the way of experiencing the fullness of the Love and Power of God.  These walls hinder our growth and maturity, and can even block our hearing from the Lord.

But, they can be overcome.  And this is the heart of what we will be addressing over these next 30 days.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ~ Matt. 17:20

The first thing I feel a need to address as we head into this next 30 days is praying for a receptive heart to the Word of God.  In scripture, Paul prays for the flock for whom He’s been burdened to cover and teach:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” ~ Eph. 1: 18-19

Many of us have had our eyes dimmed.

Experiences in life, harmful people in churches, unfulfilled heart requests from God, and confusion about His character and goodness have all paved the way for a closing of the heart towards Him and His Word.

But, if you truly want to see God move in your life, the eyes of your heart must be cleansed and opened wide.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit within you, but you must fuel the desire within yourself.

Over a decade ago, during a particularly difficult season in my marriage (see post here), I had such bitterness of heart that I could barely even pray for my husband (enjoy this post on praying for your husband here).

I had hatred covering me, and it blocked access of the Holy Spirit to help me.  When I thought about my husband all that I could see was everything he was doing wrong.

He leaves his socks and things everywhere!

Why can’t he just hang up his darn jacket!

He doesn’t even care about me!

He never looks around for ways to help.

I had allowed seeds of destruction and despair to take up residence in my heart, and these seeds had become dangerous weeds of self-destruction and relationship corrosion.

The weeds had to go.

One day in particular, after beginning a bible study on marriage that the Lord had provided at the most opportune time (see that story here), I was trying to follow through on some wise guidance given in the class.

Focus on the good of your husband.”

The advice had come directly from scripture, which at that point I was still quite weak on.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” ~ Phil. 4:8

It seemed simple enough, so I had purchased a small spiral notebook to write down things for which I was thankful regarding my husband.

On day one, though, I hit a wall.

I could barely think of a single thing I even liked about him, let alone things to praise.

And, my soul wept.  I cried heavy tears of sorrow at the condition of my heart.  I cried out to God, saying:

Abba, I hate this.  Why is this so difficult?!  I can’t even think of a single thing I like about him anymore!  What am I supposed to do?

And, I heard the gentle whisper of our loving Abba speak to my heart and dust off my eyes:

You don’t have to be thankful for the broken pieces of him.  Give thanks to ME for things you enjoy that I’ve created, and then let Me continue to accomplish the work.”

At that moment I was able to think of a few things: I am thankful for his smile.  I am thankful for his mind and the wonderful talks we have enjoyed over the years, even though things are hard now.  I am thankful that he is handsome.

That was about all I could muster.  These things were not lies, but they acknowledged truth.

And, the Lord honored my obedient heart, even though imperfect.

This was not a one time thing, but the beginning of a journey to cleanse my eyes.  Now, years later, I can always find things to praise and for which to give thanks, and that is the work of the Holy Spirit.

He is the master healer, even of the eyes.

What does Scripture Say About the Eyes?

The Word of God has much to say about the importance of the eyes.  But, let us not be confused about the eyes in question.  When scripture talks about the eyes it is not referencing the physical eyes that are made of the flesh, but rather the spiritual eyes that can see eternal Truths.

The spiritual eyes provide us with the ability to see things the way God does.  They are a link and connection to His vantage point in eternity and allow us to see things as they truly are.

So many of us are confused about reality and have not yet grasped that we are spirits with a body, rather than bodies with a spirit.  Our soul is the eternal essence of ourselves, and our body is but a temporary vessel.  This world is passing away (1 John 2: 17, 1 Cor. 7: 31), but the spiritual world will continue forever.

What does this mean?

This means that the physical world is not the real world.  It is but a shadow of Truth, and not what we must put our full heart and mind into.  We are told that this world is not our home, and that we are but temporary visitors of this place (Heb. 13:14, 1 Pet. 2: 11-12).

As such, we must learn to see with our spiritual eyes so that we can see clearly the Truth of God.  Often our eyes are veiled with confusion and deception and we need to have the Holy Spirit remove the veil from our eyes so we can see clearly.  And, He will continue to cleanse our eyes repeatedly as we continue to grow and mature, one little piece at a time.

11 Scriptures Referencing the Eyes

Here are 11 of the MANY verses that talk about the eyes, both of the flesh and of the spirit.  Read and meditate on them, especially if one jumps out at you.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” ~ Matt. 6: 22

Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.” ~ Num. 22: 31

He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” ~ Exod. 15: 26

If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death, I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molek.” ~ Lev. 20: 4-5

Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.” ~ Deut. 16: 19

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.” ~ 2 Chron. 25: 2

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” ~ Ps. 119: 18

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” ~ Matt. 13: 16

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” ~ Matt. 20: 34

I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” ~ Acts 26: 17-18

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” ~ Rev. 3: 18

Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord!

We know that our Abba wants to reveal His Truths to us, but we, too, must stand ready with open and willing hearts.  Today take a moment to ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to all that He has to show you. Lean into the walk of faith with Him, and begin that trust relationship founded on the wholeness of His Love.

Abba, we come before You to see.  We want to enjoy the splendor of all that You have for us, and desire not to be blinded to the Truth and Your fullness.  Open the eyes of our hearts.  Give us eyes that can see and ears that can hear Your Truth and Your Voice.  May we not be distracted by the lies of the enemy that come to steal, kill, and destroy, but rather may we rely fully on Your Word as Truth.  Plant the seeds of Your Light into our heart that we may shine brightly in this dark age.  Humble me, Abba.  Let me not grow callous or blinded by lies.  Do not let me stray from You, Abba, but rather pull me in close to You each and every day.  I love You.  Amen.

Sweet sister, press on.  Do not grow weary.  Stand firm.  He is with you and will never leave your side.  Remain in Him and He will remain in you.  Fight the good fight until the last day.  He is the victor, forever and ever.  Amen.

Shalom.