“The Lord doesn’t look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam.16:7
Loving Father, I’ve worn prescription glasses since high school, moving from regular to progressive focus lenses over the course of years, and now have the new-fangled lenses that sharpen my peripheral vision.
But there’s an ophthalmological corrective that only takes place as the Gospel does its work on the eyes of my heart. My plea? Open the eyes of my heart to see more of Jesus’ truth, goodness, and beauty. Then free me to see everything else from Jesus’ perspective.
- Help me see myself with Gospel eyes. I don’t need to focus on the clear signs of aging, or things that fuel my vanity-engine. I want to see more of your image in me, Abba—more of Jesus being formed in me. I’d love to see kinder eyes when I look in the mirror, as your Spirit does his work in me.
- Help me see others with Gospel eyes. Not as I wished they be, not as they used to be, not as they irritate, inconvenience, or disappoint me—let me see what you see, Abba. I don’t a need a “scratch-proof” coating, but I’d love an extra coat of mercy and grace on the lenses of my heart.
- Help me see creation with Gospel eyes. Every ocean, mountain, star, sunrise, and sunset declares your glory—all flora, fish, and fauna sing your praises. Help me live slow enough to notice and savor.
- Help me see pain and suffering with Gospel eyes. Father, sometimes looking at all the crucibles, crises, and cruel stories of life makes me want to run, hide, fix, or deny. Help me to see with the eyes of Jesus when overwhelming needs are staring me down.
- Help me see history with Gospel eyes. May my focus be on the occupied throne, not the oval office—on your glorious, generous, irrepressible commitment to redeem an every-nation Bride for Jesus and make all things new by Jesus. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen
