Prayer for Eyes to Open

FOCUS TEXT

2 Kings 6:13-17

He said, “Go and find where he is; I will send and seize him.” He was told, “He is in Dothan.” So he sent horses and chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and surrounded the city. When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, “Alas, master! What shall we do?” He replied, “Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them.” Then Elisha prayed: “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

DAILY BYTE

Today, as we continue focusing on prayer, I invite you reflect on the prayer of prophet Elisha for his attendant. Scripture tells us that the Aramean king sent a great army to seize prophet Elisha who had stood against Aramean interests. When the Aramean army surrounded the city where Elisha was staying, Elisha’s attendant became very afraid because of the great numbers of the army that came against them. After comforting his servant and assuring him that they did not stand alone against this army, Elisha prayed to God saying, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see. ”Then God opened the eyes of Elisha’s attendant so that he would see the army of the Lord who stood with the Lord’s servant. I can imagine the amazed expression on the face of Elisha’s attendant when he saw God so evidently at work in situation that seemed hopeless.

In our daily lives we encounter situations that seem hopeless. At times we face these situations ourselves. We also witness how other people we know face hopeless situations, or hear about hopeless situations in our communities, cities, nations, and around our world. Our human eyes lack the spiritual foresight that is needed to see God at work in the world. God is a God who is presently involved in our world. Our God is not a distant God but our God is a God who actively engages our world. Though our physical eyes cannot see God’s hand moving and setting things in their proper place, we can pray for our spiritual eyes to be opened. The Holy Spirit can guide us to discern God’s action in our lives, the lives of others, our community, and our world. Just remember, when you face a situation that seems to be hopeless, pray for God to show you how God’s hand is moving in that particular situation. Our hope is in God. Our hope is Jesus Christ, and hope in him does not disappoint.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Father, we thank you because even though our physical eyes do not see how you actively engage this world, we know that your hand is always present and working in us and around us. We pray for your forgiveness when we give into hopelessness and desperation. We pray for your Holy Spirit to grant us discernment to see the world in the way that you see it. Help us turn to you constantly and especially during situations that seem hopeless. Through Jesus Christ we pray, amen.