A Biblical and Historical Teaching for the Church. The question of whether we must close our eyes while praying might seem trivial on the surface, but it actually opens the door to a deeper examination of tradition versus truth, ritual versus revelation, and form versus faith.
As with many church practices, it is vital that we not simply do things because they’ve always been done, but because they are rooted in biblical truth and spiritual understanding. So we must ask:
Is closing our eyes during prayer a command from God?
Is it just a religious tradition handed down through generations?
Or is it a helpful tool that has been mistaken for divine instruction?
What Does the Bible Say About Closing Our Eyes in Prayer?
Let’s be direct: Nowhere in Scripture are we commanded to close our eyes when we pray.
Not once does God issue this as a requirement for prayer, worship, or communion with Him.
Instead, the Bible gives us numerous examples of open-eyed prayer:
Jesus Himself, in John 17:1, “lifted His eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come…’”
David declared in Psalm 121:1, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help?”
Paul exhorted believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)—a command that would be impossible to fulfill literally if eyes had to remain shut at all times.
These examples clearly show that prayer is a matter of the heart, not the eyelids. The emphasis in Scripture is always on the posture of the spirit, not the posture of the body.
Where Did the Eye-Closing Tradition Come From?
The practice of closing the eyes during prayer did not originate with the early church or the apostles.
It began with the monastic traditions—the early monks and desert fathers of the third and fourth centuries.
Living in solitude, they sought to eliminate external distractions and deepen their meditative connection with God. Closing their eyes was one of many disciplines used to withdraw from the physical senses and turn inward toward spiritual contemplation.
While helpful in their context, this practice eventually became custom, custom turned into ritual, and ritual was later assumed to be doctrine. The church inherited this as a norm, not realizing it was never intended as a divine instruction, but merely a personal aid to devotion.
When Is Closing Your Eyes Helpful?
Although it’s not a command, closing your eyes can certainly serve a functional purpose in certain spiritual settings:
In personal prayer, it helps eliminate surrounding noise and focus the heart.
During quiet worship, it can still the mind and allow deeper reflection.
In solitude or meditation, it becomes a tool for entering into rest with God.
But we must remember: Tools are not laws.
What helps one person may hinder another. The goal is not to appear spiritual, but to be spiritually connected.
When Should You Keep Your Eyes Open?
There are moments in prayer where your eyes must be open—not out of irreverence, but out of discernment and spiritual responsibility.
During spiritual warfare, awareness is critical. You need to see what’s happening around you.
In deliverance sessions, being alert to spiritual and physical activity is necessary.
In public places or dangerous environments, keeping your eyes open may even be a matter of safety and wisdom.
Jesus didn’t just say, “Pray.”
He said, “Watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41).
Watching is an act of vigilance and vision. In fact, the word “watch” in Scripture often relates to guarding, perceiving, and discerning—activities that require sight. Prayer should never render a believer passive or unaware.
The Danger of Empty Ritual
What starts as a helpful method can quickly become an empty ritual if we lose sight of its purpose.
When we assume that external gestures equal spiritual depth, we risk reducing our faith to performance rather than relationship.
Closing your eyes is not a gateway to God.
Faith is.
And the Holy Spirit is not moved by eyelids, but by a sincere and submitted heart.
A Lesson from Childhood
As a child serving in the Anglican Church, I remember a priest known for his long, impassioned prayers.
Each time he said, “Let us pray,” the congregation respectfully bowed their heads and closed their eyes.
But strangely, by the end of his 20- or 30-minute intercession, most of the church had quietly slipped out.
He was often nearly left praying to empty pews.
That moment stuck with me.
It taught me that sometimes, if your eyes are always closed, you may miss what’s really happening—both physically and spiritually.
So, Must We Close Our Eyes to Pray?
The biblical answer is clear: No.
Closing your eyes can help you focus—but it is not required.
It can minimize distractions—but it does not define your devotion.
It is a helpful aid—but not a holy command.
God is listening for your heart, not watching your eyelids.
Prayer is about connection, not conformity.
Sometimes, the most powerful prayers are prayed with eyes wide open—perceiving the move of God, watching in the Spirit, discerning the times.
Let’s Reflect as a Church
Let us now ask ourselves:
Have we closed our eyes simply out of habit?
Have we confused silence with sincerity?
Have we allowed tradition to replace truth?
If so, it’s time to re-examine, re-align, and return to what truly matters in prayer: authentic communion with God.
We are called to pray in spirit and in truth, not in form and repetition.
We are invited to seek God with our hearts, not just with bowed heads.
Let the Church awaken to truth, not just tradition.
Let us teach our children not just how to pray, but why.
Let us mature in faith by examining even the smallest habits—because even in those, great spiritual insight is found.
My Thoughts
Prayer is not weakened by open eyes, nor strengthened by closed ones.
It is empowered by faith, truth, and spiritual alignment.
So whether your eyes are open or closed, let your heart be wide open to the Lord.
Let your prayers be sincere, your awareness sharp, and your focus unwavering.
And may the Church never again confuse tradition for truth.
If this spoke to you, I need you to share your thoughts in the comments section.
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