3 Biblical Reasons to Pray Like Yeshua: Lift Your Eyes to Heaven

Following Yeshua's Example Changed My Prayer Life

I used to pray with my eyes closed and head bowed, but that changed when I read in the Bible about how Yeshua prayed. There are specific places where it describes His prayers, and it transformed the way I pray because I want to follow Christ. I want to follow Yeshua.

Let's examine the Scriptures together.

Reason 1: Yeshua Lifted His Eyes at Lazarus' Tomb (John 11:41)

In John 11:41, during the miracle of raising Lazarus: "So they took away the stone. And Yeshua lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard Me.'"

Did you catch that? Yeshua lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard Me." He didn't bow His head—He looked toward heaven, where the Father is.[John 11:41]

Reason 2: Yeshua Looked to Heaven in His High Priestly Prayer (John 17:1)

Look at John 17:1: "When Yeshua had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You."

Again, He lifted up His eyes to heaven. He addressed the Father directly, looking up.

Reason 3: Yeshua Taught Us to Pray to Our Father in Heaven

How did Yeshua teach us to pray? He said, "When you pray, pray this: Our Father, which art in heaven." If the Father is in heaven, it makes sense to look up toward heaven when praying to Him.[Matthew 6:9]

Why Bow Your Head? That's Not Biblical—It's Tradition

So why do we pray with heads bowed and eyes closed? Who taught us that? It seems so Catholic. Yeshua didn't pray that way. There's so much we've learned that's just not biblical—traditions picked up from Christianity, not from Scripture.

I stopped praying that way, and you should too. Now, this is how I pray: I lift up my eyes to heaven and speak to the Father. That's the habit I've formed.

Sometimes, if I'm praying over someone or in a seat, I might bow my head—there's nothing wrong with that in certain moments. But why associate prayer only with bowing heads and closing eyes? I think this comes from Catholicism. It's time to read the Bible closely and notice these small things.

Imitate Yeshua: Pray as He Prayed

When we see Yeshua—the Lord who is in us—pray by lifting His eyes to heaven, how should we pray? We should pray the way He prayed. Ditch the man-made traditions and align with what YHWH's Word actually teaches.

Israelites, remember, repent, restored. If you want the hoodie, check the links or email me.

Shalom.