“Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." (Mark 14:38 MSG)
Devices such as smartphones and laptops are built to go into sleep mode when not in use. The screen will go dark after a period of inactivity, and the device goes into a low-power mode. I have noticed that something similar happens to me when I disengage from God. I drift into a state of low energy--dispirited, inanimate, and unconscious.
"When we cease to pray, we tend to fall back into nothingness. True, we continue to exist. But since the main reason for our existence is the knowledge and love of God, when our conscious contact with Him is severed we sleep or we die." (No Man Is an Island, Thomas Merton)
Periods of apathy or distraction can cause us to slip into sleep mode. We may be functional, but our usefulness is minimal. Prayer allows us to engage with God and be conscious of His presence. To know Him and to love Him--this is our primary purpose. When we remain alert and aware of the Grace that surrounds us, we are infused by the strength of the Almighty. Constant communion with God enables us to be filled with wisdom and power.
Lord, may we always be conscious of You. When our spirits become idle or apathetic, please wake us up. Light up our darkness. Fill us with discernment, passion, and power.
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