Day 16: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Prayer Focus: Keeping Our Focus on Christ

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”
Hebrews 12:2 ESV

Yesterday our prayer was:

“Lord, give me faith to follow You.”

Today we focus on where our eyes are fixed while we walk:

“Jesus, keep my eyes on You.”

Faith becomes difficult when our attention becomes consumed by everything happening around us.

Circumstances change. Problems arise. Fear speaks. Distractions compete for our attention.

But Scripture continually calls us back to Jesus.

Where Are Your Eyes?

Hebrews 12 describes the Christian life as a race requiring endurance. Then it tells us how to run:

By looking to Jesus.

Peter learned this lesson dramatically in Matthew 14. Jesus called him out of the boat, and Peter actually walked on the water.

But then Peter “saw the wind” and became afraid (Matthew 14:30 ESV).

The storm had been there before Peter stepped out of the boat.

What changed?

His focus.

When his attention shifted from Jesus to the storm, fear began replacing faith.

We can do the same thing.

The more we stare at the problem, the larger it becomes in our minds. The more we focus on uncertainty, the more powerful fear can seem.

Faith doesn't deny the storm.

Faith remembers who is standing in the middle of it.

Lay Aside the Distractions

Hebrews tells us to “lay aside every weight” and run with endurance (Hebrews 12:1 ESV).

Not everything distracting us is necessarily sinful.

Sometimes it's simply a weight.

Something consuming too much attention.

Something occupying our thoughts.

Something keeping our eyes from remaining fixed on Christ.

Part of following Jesus is continually asking:

“What has my attention right now?”

Because whatever consistently captures our attention will eventually influence our hearts.

Today's Prayer Focus

Fix My Eyes on Jesus
Help me make Christ greater in my attention than my circumstances.

Remove Distractions
Show me anything consuming attention that belongs to You.

Replace Fear With Faith
When circumstances become overwhelming, remind me who You are.

Give Me Endurance
Help me continue faithfully even when the journey becomes difficult.

Today's Prayer

Father, today I fix my eyes on Jesus.

Forgive me for allowing circumstances, fears, distractions, and uncertainties to consume my attention.

When I see the storm, remind me to look again at Christ.

Remove every weight that is slowing me down and give me endurance to continue following You.

I don't want my circumstances to determine my faith.

Jesus, keep my eyes on You.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Additional Scriptures

Hebrews 12:1–3
Matthew 14:22–33
Colossians 3:1–2
Psalm 16:8

Today's Challenge

Pay attention to what occupies your thoughts today.

When fear, worry, or distraction begins taking over, intentionally stop and pray:

“Jesus, I fix my eyes on You.”

Then remind yourself of who He is, rather than rehearsing everything that could go wrong.

Day 15: Lord, give me faith to follow You.
Day 16: Jesus, keep my eyes on You.