The Sweet Reflection of Him

When I close my eyes to pray

I see You standing in our midst.

I see You looking

With compassion and love…

Your heart is open

Your ear bent down,

Your arms reaching out

To pull me close,

I feel Your presence near me.

When I close my eyes

I see with my heart…

The beauty of Your character.

When I close my eyes

I see myself

In Your presence.

I am known

And I am loved.

I see Your sacrifice

And all You gave to me.

I see the One who

Created everything

And all eternity…

When I close my eyes

I see how You fill up

Everything…

I see Your faithfulness

Is everywhere.

I know the power of Your touch

When You speak to me in prayer.

When I close my eyes

Your throne is unveiled to me

I behold Your holiness…

I worship and weep

At Your feet.

My praise rises

Your love is ever so sweet…

I am made complete

Behold I am changed

you are changed…

When we close our eyes to pray.

He leads me to quiet waters of rest

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by the noise of the world that you just needed to break away?

For me, that sanctuary is found the moment I close my eyes to pray. In that quiet space, the rush of the day fades into the background. The darkness behind my eyelids is not empty at all. Instead, it becomes a canvas where I can clearly behold His face and feel His near presence.

When life feels draining, He faithfully leads me to a place of deep refreshment.

I share this poem to capture that gentle, restoring moment of meeting Him in prayer. I hope it brings a sense of rest to your soul today.

In the Secret Place

When I close my eyes to pray,

The noisy world just fades away.

The dark is not a empty space,

For there I see a loving face.

No need for sun, no need for light,

Your gentle kindness fills my sight.

I see Your hands that hold my heart,

And know we never walk apart.

A holy glow behind my eyes,

More beautiful than morning skies.

You greet me in the quiet shade,

Where all my fears and troubles fade.

Why We Need to Rest Before We Request

If we want our prayers to actually change us, we have to start with meditation. Too often, we rush into prayer and jump straight to our lists. But prayer should really begin with our hearts meditating upon God—holding our focus there long and full enough to move us.

When we give ourselves that time to sit in His presence, it accomplishes exactly what He desires and wills for us. In that stillness, God gives us:

• Our freedom to worship: We shift from a place of distraction into genuine awe.

• Our faith to believe: Looking at Him reminds us that He is entirely capable.

• Our conviction to stir us: The Holy Spirit gently wakes us up to what matters.

• His Spirit to lead us: We stop striving and let Him guide the conversation.

• Our hearts to be burdened enough to intercede effectively: We finally start feeling what He feels, praying deeply for others, and becoming changed through it.

Ultimately, this is how we know we’ve truly met with God. When we slow down to meditate before we speak, we walk away changed—and there is visible evidence to show we have actually come to Him.