I lift up my eyes to the one who dwells in the heavens. I lift up my eyes as Abraham lifted his when he wanted to see the eternal promise and seed. I lift up my eyes to count the stars of heaven, believing that you are a generous God. Like Isaiah, I raise my eyes to contemplate the power of the Most High. Like Nebuchadnezzar, I lift up my eyes to you. Then my mind is restored and I can bless the Lord of heaven, the Most High.
Before a stinking grave, I lift up my eyes to the Lord of everlasting life. Like Jesus, I lift up my eyes, asking that all people know the true God. When I meet a mute or deaf person, I lift up my eyes to the Lord of heaven. When I need bread and fish, with a thankful heart I raise my eyes.
Like Stephen, I bow down on my knees. Then I lift up my eyes to see heaven open up in the midst of a bloody age. On the fields of Samaria, I raise my eyes to see a great harvest in which Arabs and Jews are saved. I lift up my eyes to be transformed and to become a divine tool for changing the oppressor and for helping the oppressed and the poor.
Like the eyes of servants looking towards their masters and maids towards their ladies, so my eyes will be lifted up to God, seeking mercy and compassion. Today I will not look backward like the wife of Lot. I will not stare blindly like the servant of Elisha who did not see the angels of God. Unlike Asaph, I will not look at the strength of evildoers. But like John at Patmos, I will turn towards the voice that speaks to me, in order to behold your greatness. O God who lives in the heavens, I lift up my eyes to you.
To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
