A Prayer For Open Eyes

2 Kings 6:15–18 “And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.”

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Fear, Child’s)

Fear, Child’s

A little boy had a part in the school play that read, “It is I; be not afraid.” He came out on stage and said, “It’s me and I’m scared.”

The Security of the Lord. (vs. 16) for they that be with us.

a. Open eyes to see The Lord’s presents.

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

b. Open eyes to see The Lord’s position.

Psalm 23:2–3 “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

c. Open eyes to see the Lord’s plan.

Psalm 23:4–6 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

2. The supply of the Lord. (vs. 17) he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full.

a. Open eyes to see the Lord’s fullness.

Isaiah 6:1 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”

b. Open eyes to see the Lord’s faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22–23 “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

c. Open eyes to see the lord’s fire.

King James Version (Chapter 18)

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

3. The Salvation of the Lord.(vs.18)

a. Open eyes to see that salvation is secure.

John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God,

b. Open eyes to see that salvation is supplied.

which taketh away the sin of the world.”

c. Open eyes to see that salvation is finished.

John 1:33 “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”

closing:

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Salvation, Assurance Of)

There is a story about a boy flying a kite. The kite was so high that it had disappeared into the clouds. A man came by and asked, “Why are you holding on to that string?” The boy said, “I’ve got a kite up there.” The man looked up and said, “I don’t see it.” The boy replied, “Well, I know it’s there because I can feel the tug.”

That’s like the witness of the Holy Spirit within us. We may not always see the evidence, but we feel a tug in our hearts constantly, letting us know that we are in touch with God.1162