There is a popular Christian Contemporary song, written by Paul Baloche, “Open The Eyes Of My Heart” (see below) that can be sung as a prayer. It’s a personal request to God. The song is based on Paul’s writings to the Ephesians and is based on Eph 1:18- 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.
I believe that we can refer back to Luke 24:13-35 for further ensight into the words open the eyes of my heart. To recap the story. After the resurrection of Jesus, two men were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which is about a distance of seven miles. They were discussing everything that had happened, when Jesus comes by and walks with them. Those two men did not recognize him. This is important, they were kept from recognizing Jesus, Luke 24:16. Many people miss the significance of this verse.
Why did they not recognize Jesus? According to the verse, they should have but there eyes were blind to who he was. They were blind, physically and spiritually, to who was speaking to them. As we read further, we find that they were surprised that this man seemed blind to what had happened in Jerusalem. They went on to tell Jesus about his death and resurrection. It would appear that they were believers.
Jesus, then said to them, Luke 24:25-27 “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
They were approaching Emmaus and it appeared that Jesus was continuing on, however; because it was near dark, they invited him to stay with them for the night. This is where it happens….Jesus opens their spiritual eyes.. Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight
Open the eyes of my heart should not be the prayer of just Believers but non-believers as well. Paul in 2 Cor 4:4 writes
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
A simple prayer
Father forgive me for being me. Deliver me from my spiritual blindness and from whatever enslaves me, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Mark Twain wrote, “You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. I would go further and say “you cannot depend on your eyes when your spiritual eyes are out of focus.”