Knowing how spiritually frail I am, and with awareness of my tendency to hurry through personal devotions so I can get to tasks I mistakenly consider more urgent, I’ve been asking God to change my approach to my Bible reading. Put simply, I’m praying more before I start reading instead of waiting to pray after I’ve read. This poem captures some of the things I ask Him to do for and in me. It’s a way to prepare my heart so it’s more receptive to what He wants to say to me.
I believe some of these lyrics will resonate with you.
Open My Eyes, Lord
O Lord, who gave me second birth,
within your Word show me Your worth.
Reveal traits that I should not ignore.
Knowing You better, I’ll love You more.
Show me Your awesome holiness
so I’ll enjoy and love sin less.
May I see Your unrivaled might
so I’ll live by faith, not by sight.
Unveil Your mercy so I’ll believe
that it’s not justice that I’ll receive;
rather, grace that You’ll freely bestow;
reminding me there’s no debt I owe,
Disclose that You’re always good and wise,
that You’ll redeem pain and dry my eyes.
Yes, when trials start taking a toll,
that You’re trustworthy, in control.
When I am depressed, cloaked by despair,
shine light on promises You put there.
Remind me that my feelings often lie,
but You do not in the words You supply.
Whether I read laws or history;
letters to churches or poetry;
when I approach Your Word each day,
open my eyes to truths You convey.
Please keep me from reading Your Word by rote;
from rushing through the love letter You wrote,
so I’m not just checking You off my list;
so there isn’t needed counsel I missed.
May it not be words on a page I see.
Please showcase the Savior who died for me.
Reveal who You are, not just what You’ve done.
so I’ll worship You Father, Spirit and Son.
__________
Which stanza do you find most meaningful? Why?
What other elements of prayer are fitting prior to or during our reading of God’s Word?
When we approach God’s Word, may we reflect the attitude of the person who wrote, “Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18).
Terry, this prayerful poem is BEAUTIFUL. It captures so very much!! Thank you for sharing it so it can also put words to our hearts longings often difficult to articulate.
Thank you Melody!! Did you ever get to leave an Amazon review of the book, Can You See the Cross from There? Grace and Grit for Sufferers and Sinners? Each chapter begins with an original format, then the chapter unfolds in a devotional format. Blessings to you!