Wake Up!

Daily Reading: Luke 9

Scripture Focus: As he was praying... those who were with him were heavy with sleep. (Luke 9.29, 32)

Devotional Thought: This morning in church, I was fortunate enough to be holding Lyric. She was wide-awake when we went into the sanctuary, but about 10 minutes in she fell fast asleep!

Have you ever nodded off in church? There are times that our bodies and minds cannot hold off any longer and we succumb to the quietness and weariness. I've seen that happen to people even in exciting services where the Spirit and energy are running high.

Such was the case with Peter and James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. One would think that praying with Jesus himself would be sufficient to keeping them awake. But, as Jesus prayed, these three were "heavy with sleep." So, don't feel too bad if it happens to you. Spiritual heavyweights such as these were guilty of it, too!

But there are lessons to be learned:

Jesus' prayers are powerful. Though Peter, James, and John slept, the prayers of the Savior were sufficient to bring the heavenly glory and visitors. I'm glad that he is interceding even now for me. Pray in me, Lord Jesus!

When we "fall asleep" in prayer, we are going to be out of touch with what God is doing. We can't help but being disconnected. The men with Jesus were quite taken aback by what was happening and offered a rather lame response. Jesus didn't scold them, but allowed them time to get back in sync. Don't give up if you have fallen asleep in prayer. Jesus will help you get back to where you need to be. Just listen to him!

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5.14).

Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, that you never slumber nor sleep. Help me to be awake and to pray with fervor and focus. In the name of Jesus, our Great Intercessor, I pray. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 17 to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; 18 and killed mighty kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; 19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; 20 and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; 21 and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; 22 a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures forever. 23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; 24 and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; 25 he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalms 136:17-26)