Open-Eyes Prayers

Praying with eyes open

In many of our traditions, we have been instructed or have gotten into the habit of closing our eyes when someone says, "Let us pray..." In small groups and in worship, consider the possibility of using a metaphoric photo to inspire and to deepen your prayer. This kind of praying with an image or contemplating an image is known as visio divina.

Hover over "Open Eyes Prayers" to discover images that might inspire you to pray with your eyes open.

Eileen D. Crowley, Ph.D., was Associate Professor
of Liturgy, Arts, and Communications at Catholic Theological
Union in Chicago, Illinois, USA, from 2004 to 2020. She taught in
multiple areas of worship, arts, and communication.
She is committed to empowering people to create art
together as a spiritual practice that will enrich them
and their faith communities.

"Photography as a Spiritual Practice"
is a website designed to support small groups in faith communities whose members want to learn more about photography and to glimpse more frequently God's grace in the world around them.

(c) Copyright 2013, Eileen D. Crowley
Unless otherwise indicated, all photos on this site are hers.