But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height,
for I have rejected him. The Lord does not 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, many of us live with vision help—glasses, contacts, laser surgery, to name a few. But there’s an ophthalmological corrective than can only take place as the Gospel does its work on the eyes of our hearts.
Even if we see with 20/15 or 20/10 vision, if we’re only focusing on the “outward appearance” of people and things, we’re still not seeing as you intend. Our request? Open the eyes of our heart to see Jesus’ beauty and bounty better. And as we see Jesus more clearly, help us look at everything else from his perspective—with his wisdom, mercy, and grace.
Father, help us see people with Gospel eyes. The aberrations of a fallen heart will always skew how we look at others, including ourselves. Sometimes we idolize or demonize people. Forgive us.
Other times we only look at people in terms of how they’re hurt us, or can benefit us. That’s not good, either. Help us see your image in every person. Help us see what you see in our parents, spouse, children, friends, neighbors, and strangers.
Help us see creation with Gospel eyes. Father, don’t let us look at oceans, mountains, stars, sunrises and sunsets, flora and fauna—or even weather patterns, just in terms of ourselves and our plans. Free us to live more as worshipful stewards of your creation, and less as selfish consumers.
Help us see pain and suffering with Gospel eyes. Father, sometimes looking at all the crucibles, crises, and cruel stories of life makes us want to run, hide, fix, or deny. Help us see with Jesus’ eyes when overwhelming need is staring us down. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ loving and powerful name.