By Gary L. Carver
Naturally, when we see through the eyes of prayer, it influences our relationship with people. We often tend to take note of only the people with special or interesting qualities. We idolize movie stars, political figures, and sports heroes.
Several months ago, we got excited at our house because Sharon's sister had dated a real TV star. Wow! He was on one of those soap operas. He played Zipper on "The Young and the Witless" -- or was it Stuper on "The Edge of Town"? I don't know! Well, anyway, we got excited. Another case in point! Why is it that gossip has almost become our national pastime? What about all these magazines! We that are ashamed to buy them sure sneak a peek while checking out at the supermarket. We tend to take note of the interesting and famous people.
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Also, we often relate to people through our own preconceived ideas and images of how they ought to be or behave. We judge or pre-judge them according to how we feel a rich or poor, sinner or saint, liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat ought to behave. We have such a preconceived idea of what they should be, we never see them as they are.
When we see through the eyes of prayer we see people as persons. The word person comes from the Latin words per and sonare which mean "sounding through." When we see people as persons we "sound through" that outward appearance and see them through the eyes of prayer. All persons are interesting, not just the famous! No one has to fit into a preconceived mold and each is allowed to be the person God created him or her to be! We sound through the outward appearance and see the real and unique person -- the climax of God's creation -- another individual for whom Christ died. Real prayer gives us eyes to see and change our relationship to the world, time and people.
Elizabeth O'Connor shares this story about a man who went each day to sit in a darkened church. One day as he came out, a perplexed friend inquired what he did during the long time he spent inside the church. "I just look at Him," he answered, "and He looks at me."7
When I look at Him, I see Him for what He is. When He looks at me, I see not only what I am but what I can be through Him! That's the power of prayer!
1. Ian MacPherson. The Act of Illustrating Sermons (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1964), p. 91-93.
2. Lloyd John Ogilvie. Ask Him Anything (Waco: Word Books, 1981), p. 81.
3. Henri J. M. Nouwen. The Way of the Heart (New York: The Seabury Press, 1981), p. 82.
4. Charles Swindoll. Crowing Strong in the Seasons of Life (Portland: Multnomah Press, 1983), p. 83.
5. Lloyd John Ogilvie. When God First Thought of You (Waco: Word Books, 1978), p. 156.
6. Henri J. M. Nouwen. Out of Solitude (Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1974), p. 42.
7. Elizabeth O'Connor. Search for Silence (Waco: Word Books, 1972), p. 120.