A Prayer About a Steady Gaze
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Most beautiful and joyful Lord Jesus, these words from your Word are exactly what I need today, tomorrow and the next day. Where I fix my gaze pretty much determines how I think, what I feel, how I choose… how I live my life. That’s why King David asked just for one thing-to live in the temple to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4).
It feels like I live with sight ADD-I’m easily distracted and constantly glancing at a myriad of sights, all clamoring for my attention. So I come to you today for ophthalmology grace… for corrective vision… for laser surgery on the eyes of my heart. I want to see you, Lord Jesus, much more of you, more consistently, more transformingly.
Help me to see you, Lord Jesus, as the author of my faith, and be grateful. I was totally blind until you wrote the truth of the gospel into my heart. Help me see you as the perfecter of my faith, and be hopeful. You didn’t just give me a pair of reading glasses, give me a book and wish me good luck. You are the gospel, Jesus, you are the gospel. I will not fix my gaze on my faith, but on you!
Help me to see you, Lord Jesus, enduring the agony of the cross with the ecstasy of heaven in view-the joy of returning to the Father with a Bride purchased and the enemy routed. Help me to see you, Lord Jesus, now reigning at the Father’s right hand, not passively, but actively, victoriously, patiently, persistently, joyfully working all things together, in world history and in our lives… for your glory and our good.
Indeed, Lord Jesus, until the Day you return, when I will see you as you really are and will be made completely as you really are (I John 3:1-3), until that most glorious of all days, continue to open the eyes of my heart, fix the gaze of my soul, and captivate the entirety of my being with your yourself. So very Amen, I pray in your great and gracious Name.