Which way are you facing?

"Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple." - Jonah 2:4

There are some religions that encourage people to face East when they pray as it has some connection with the new dawn. The Jewish faith chooses to face towards Jerusalem, and we see that this has been practiced for thousands of years. Daniel was one of the Old Testament prophets who prayed in this way.

In Daniel 6:10 it says, “when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to this upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

As followers of Jesus, we believe that God is omnipresent, so we don't need to face a certain direction when we pray. However, it can sometimes help us to 'spiritually 'gaze in a direction, as it may give us more focus. 

The only thing we need to be sure of is that we 'turn our eyes towards Christ.' 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.”
– Helen Howarth Lemmel

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

The words of this beautiful song have been helpful for me today. Sometimes we find ourselves brought low by the issues that surround us, but we can always TURN OUR EYES UPON JESUS and know that he will hold us close. 

We don't always remember that the song we usually sing in church is just the chorus of the hymn. The rest of the words are equally special and reassuring. May they offer you love and support today.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Thro' death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion--
For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you--He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell! (Helen Howarth Lemmel)