Open My Eyes: A 21-Day Fasting Devotional from Jentezen FranklinSample

Fasting Day 10: Through The Eyes Of Those Closest To You

I want to welcome you to Day Ten. As we’re fasting and praying together, we’re so thankful for this massive army that is joining us, all over the world, people fasting and praying. And today the focus is on, “Open my eyes, Lord, and let me see through the eyes of those who know me best.” You know, it’s our family that matters the most. And sometimes we’re impressing others, but we’re not really having impact on our own families. I pray that what we are in public is seen in private by our families. I also want to really encourage you to spend time with others who are fasting. You can do that in person or online. Another way to stay connected is to go to our website and blog with other people fasting just like you. Go to jentezenfranklin.org for fasting friends, recipes and other resources designed to help you finish this fast.

Seeing Yourself Through the Eyes of Those That Know You Best

If your family was asked to describe your character what would they say? If they were asked about your strengths and weaknesses would there be any surprises? Most of us have a public life and a private life and our families see us in our private lives when our guard is down. Who we are in public matters. But what our families and those who know us best see matters even more.

If I’ve led thousands to the Lord but lost the respect and admiration of my family then something is not right. To see yourself through your immediate and extended family’s eyes and those who know you best is an exercise worth trying. I don’t ever want to be what’s standing between Jesus and those I love the most. And neither do you.

Prayer: 

Father, today, on this 10th day, do a work in our families and in our own life, through the eyes of those who know us best. Let us be transparent and pure and real. Let us be kind. Let us be forgiving. Let us be compassionate one to another, tenderhearted, as the scripture said, with brothers, with sisters, with parents, with children, with any areas of reconciliation needed. I pray today for that kind of power to be released on our families and in our own lives, In Jesus’ name.