Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

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EarlJam
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Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by EarlJam » January 16th, 2012, 5:38 pm

I believe most of us here pray. And I think most will agree that you don't HAVE to close your eyes to do it. But why do we do it most of the time or at all? Why not just look up? Or look down? Or straight ahead (open eyes while praying and driving is strongly encouraged).

Just asking to ask.

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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by OZZIE4DUKE » January 16th, 2012, 7:08 pm

I look up.
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by windsor » January 16th, 2012, 7:24 pm

I would guess it is a matter of focus..eyes closed lessens external distractions...although if I recall judeo christian texts refer to 'raising eyes to heaven' and I can't recall a reference to eyes closed so it could be a hold over from the days when you did not look at the god(s).

Pure speculation, as I do not pray.
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by CathyCA » January 16th, 2012, 9:09 pm

I do not always close my eyes when I pray. I close my eyes for most of the prayers in church, except for the benediction, aka "the good word." When the minister delivers that prayer, I look to the back of the church and make eye contact with him and smile.

I have a child who does not pray, but when I pray in his presence, he asks me to look at him. I think that's very sweet.

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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by DevilWearsPrada2.0 » January 17th, 2012, 10:39 am

The family that PRAYS together, stays together! AMEN. :pray:
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by Lavabe » January 17th, 2012, 12:37 pm

DevilWearsPrada2.0 wrote:The family that PRAYS together, stays together! AMEN. :pray:
The family that doesn't pray together stays together as well!

captmojo: I wonder what happens to the family that tebows together?
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by windsor » January 17th, 2012, 12:46 pm

Lavabe wrote:
DevilWearsPrada2.0 wrote:The family that PRAYS together, stays together! AMEN. :pray:
The family that doesn't pray together stays together as well!

:ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: ...

Lavabe wrote: captmojo: I wonder what happens to the family that tebows together?

Tebow...did someone say Tebow???
facebook_48202.jpg
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by EarlJam » January 17th, 2012, 2:23 pm

windsor wrote:
Tebow...did someone say Tebow???
facebook_48202.jpg
Oh my GOD. Look I love Tebow, AND Jesus...............but that's just funny as HEL...., um, HECK!

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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by DevilWearsPrada2.0 » January 18th, 2012, 9:38 am

Thou shalt not Mock God. Jesus or the likeness of the image.
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by DukieInKansas » January 18th, 2012, 7:30 pm

I don't always close my eyes in church - sometimes I look around to see who is peaking. :D
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by Lavabe » January 18th, 2012, 9:42 pm

DukieInKansas wrote:I don't always close my eyes in church - sometimes I look around to see who is peaking. :D
Are you SURE they are "peaking" or are they "peeking?" :D
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by Lavabe » January 18th, 2012, 10:00 pm

DevilWearsPrada2.0 wrote:Thou shalt not Mock God. Jesus or the likeness of the image.
Thou SHALL mock Tim Tebow... and Roy Williams.
:D
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by Lavabe » January 18th, 2012, 10:03 pm

EarlJam wrote:And I think most will agree that you don't HAVE to close your eyes to do it. But why do we do it most of the time or at all? Why not just look up?
I believe the more important question, EJ, is:

Why do we close our eyes when we sneeze? :D
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by DukieInKansas » January 18th, 2012, 11:23 pm

Lavabe wrote:
DukieInKansas wrote:I don't always close my eyes in church - sometimes I look around to see who is peaking. :D
Are you SURE they are "peaking" or are they "peeking?" :D
GRAMMAR NINJA!! :Ult Ninja: :Ult Ninja:
Just checking to see if anyone was paying attention.

Yeah, that's the ticket! :ymblushing:
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windsor
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Re: Why do we close our eyes when we pray?

Post by windsor » January 19th, 2012, 7:57 am

Lavabe wrote:
DevilWearsPrada2.0 wrote:Thou shalt not Mock God. Jesus or the likeness of the image.
Thou SHALL mock Tim Tebow... and Roy Williams.
:D
The Gospel According to Lavabe. I'm a believer. :D
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