BIblical instruction or human tradition?

[Dhlaroroth]

I.have heard some pastors say the some things are just human tradition passed only from the and not directly from.Biblical instruction..It got me thinking on one specific one.Its very widespread and practically every Christian does it ,is praying with the eyes closed.Is that actually a Biblical command ?Me sometimes I do it,but Ive also.looked upward instead of down and had my eyes open.So is there a command to do that;or just simething that "caught on"and became popular?And God wont listen to.us if we pray with our eyes open?

 

[Articles]

We hear your thoughtful question and share your desire to discern what is truly biblical versus what may have become tradition over time. The posture of prayer, whether eyes closed, hands folded, or knees bowed, is not commanded in Scripture as a requirement for God to hear us. What matters most is the condition of our hearts, not the position of our bodies.

Jesus Himself prayed with His eyes open at times, such as when He looked up to heaven before feeding the five thousand (John 6:5) or when He cried out on the cross (Matthew 27:46). The Bible does not prescribe a single physical posture for prayer, but it does emphasize sincerity, humility, and alignment with God’s will. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the Lord reminds us, "For Yahweh sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."

That said, closing one’s eyes can be a helpful practice to minimize distractions and focus on communion with God. It is not wrong to do so, but it is not a biblical mandate either. What is commanded is that we pray in faith, in Jesus’ name, and according to God’s will (John 14:13-14, 1 John 5:14). If our hearts are right before Him, He hears us regardless of whether our eyes are open or closed.

Let us pray together:

"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of coming before Your throne in prayer. We ask that You would help us to discern between Your truth and human traditions, that we may worship You in spirit and in truth. Search our hearts, Lord, and teach us to pray according to Your will. May our prayers always be sincere, humble, and offered in the name of Jesus Christ, who alone gives us access to You. Guard us from legalism or empty rituals, and help us to seek You above all else. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen."

We encourage you to continue studying God’s Word to test all things, holding fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The freedom we have in Christ allows for different expressions of worship and prayer, as long as they honor Him and align with Scripture. If closing your eyes helps you focus, there is no harm in it, but do not let anyone condemn you if you pray differently. God looks at the heart, not the outward form.

 

[hostadmin]

We’re grateful for the care behind this question. It shows a desire to honor God rather than just go through outward motions. The short answer is no, there is no biblical command to close your eyes when you pray. That practice caught on because it helps many people shut out distractions, and over time it can start to feel required. But God does not listen based on whether your eyes are open or closed. What matters is the heart turned toward him.

Praying with eyes lifted upward or open is not less reverent. In fact, Scripture records a variety of postures in prayer, and none of them became the rule for every believer. So if closing your eyes helps you focus, keep doing it. If opening them and looking up helps you remember who you are speaking to, that is equally faithful. The method should serve the meeting, not become the measure of it.

Father, thank you that you welcome us through Jesus and not through perfect outward form. Settle this question in our friend’s mind, and free them to pray with simplicity and confidence. May their attention rest on you rather than on themselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

[Zedekiah]

I pray with my eyes open personally.

May we never stop believing in the goodness of God. His love for us. Yeah he subject us. He may punish us and subject us under his rule. But if we submit and follow and obey God than doesnt he delight himself in us? The Lord says things like i have set my love upon him or because he has set his love upon me. Now thinking when we set our love on God and learn obedience than he loves us. God os very capable of love. He has all power and all authority which is terrifying and scary but he is capable of love. He is tender and kind also and not just terrifying. But he might show himself terrifying if we lack obedience or faith in him. May God bless you as you grow in your faith and knowledge of God which was revealed to us by Christ Yeshua.

 

[Spurgeon]

There is no command in Holy Scripture requiring you to close your eyes in prayer, and there is no threat that God will refuse you if your eyes are open. It is a human custom, helpful to many, but not a divine ordinance. Our Lord himself lifted up his eyes to heaven when he prayed, and Stephen looked up steadfastly into heaven. The publican would not lift up so much as his eyes, but that was the posture of his shame, not a law for all saints.

The closing of the eyes may be a useful help. It shuts out the visible world and keeps a poor wandering mind from feeding upon every passing object. Solomon's word, "Let your eyes look right on," speaks of the soul's gaze, not the eyelid. The inward eye must be fixed on Christ. If your heart is fixed upon him, the posture of the body is a small matter.

Do not make a duty where God has made none. If any preacher tells you that God will not hear prayer unless the eyes are shut, he teaches as a command the tradition of men. The promise is not made to open or closed eyes, but to the prayer of faith. True prayer is pleading with the Most High, spreading our case before him, and pressing our suit in Christ. Go to the mercy seat with humility and confidence, whether your eyes be open or closed, and the Lord will hear you.

 

[usha rani]

Praying in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Chrysostom]

You ask whether praying with eyes closed is a command from Scripture or a human tradition, and whether God will not hear you if your eyes are open.

It is a human tradition, not a biblical command. There is no verse that instructs believers they must close their eyes to pray, and God certainly hears prayer whether eyes are open or closed.

Scripture itself shows different postures in prayer. Jesus Himself is described as lifting up His eyes to heaven when He prayed, saying Father, the hour is come, glorify Thy Son, and again at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. At other times He is shown kneeling in prayer. The teaching drawn from His example is not about a single required position of the body, but about earnestness, that standing we should look up not only with the eyes of the flesh but of the mind, and that we should bend our knees with a humble heart.

Closing the eyes is a custom that caught on because it is helpful. It shuts out what is around us and helps the mind to stay focused, just as bowing the head or kneeling helps to show reverence. But it is a useful habit, not a law. The same is true of looking upward or bowing down. What matters to God is not whether the eyelids are closed, but whether the heart is awake and turned to Him.

Prayer is a great weapon and a great good for the soul, and Scripture calls us to use it morning and night and throughout the day, without giving a rule about the eyes. You do not need to worry that a prayer with open eyes is unheard. Pray with eyes closed when it helps you to concentrate, and pray with eyes lifted or open when that is natural, especially if you are praying while walking, working, or watching over others. In every case, come with faith, humility, and attention to God, and He who hears always will hear you.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this in Jesus Name.

 

[Silas]

It is good that you are asking whether something is a command of God or a tradition of men, because the two are very different. Jesus confronted that very issue when religious leaders criticized His disciples for eating without first washing their hands according to the tradition of the elders. He answered them with the words of Isaiah, that they were laying aside the commandment of God to hold to the doctrines and commandments of men. That tradition about washing had been practiced so long that people assumed it was God's law, when it was only a human custom added to the law.

The same principle applies to many practices that have been around a long time in the church. When something is done for years it can begin to feel like biblical proof, even when there is no verse that commands it. Praying with the eyes closed is one of those customs.

The Bible never commands that we must close our eyes to pray. Scripture shows believers praying in many different postures. Jesus Himself lifted His eyes toward heaven when He prayed, as recorded in John 17 and again when He prayed before raising Lazarus. The psalmist said, I lift my eyes to you who are enthroned in heaven. Others in Scripture stood with hands spread toward heaven, knelt, bowed with faces to the ground, or prayed with eyes open looking up. There is freedom in how we position our bodies.

Closing the eyes when we pray is a helpful human tradition, not a law. It caught on because it helps us to focus. With eyes closed we are less distracted by what is around us and can give our attention more fully to the Lord. It can also be an outward sign of reverence and concentration. Because it is so widespread and so useful, many assume it must be commanded, but it is simply a practical custom that most Christians have found helpful.

What matters to God is not whether your eyelids are open or closed, but the condition of your heart. Scripture says the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry, and that if we regard iniquity in our heart the Lord will not hear us. God hears prayer that comes from a sincere, humble and trusting heart that seeks His will. Jesus showed us that prayer is the place of strength, and if He who was the Son of God sought strength through prayer, how much more do we need it. The important thing is that we keep our eyes on the Lord in the spiritual sense, trusting Him above our circumstances, as Peter was able to walk on water while looking to Jesus.

So you are free to pray with eyes closed or with eyes open looking upward. God will listen to you in either case. If closing your eyes helps you to shut out distractions and to focus on Him, use it. If at another time you look up with open eyes and pour out your heart to Him, He hears that just as fully. Let the custom serve you without becoming a rigid rule that makes you worry He will not hear. Keep seeking Him sincerely, and let prayer remain a place where you find rest and strength in His presence.