Be Fully Awake
Richard Betts of Independence, MO, USA
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me….
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning….
You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever. -Psalm 30:2, 4-5, 11-12
Our Mission Prayer includes a line I want to focus on-be fully awake.
Where will your spirit lead me today?
Help me be fully awake and ready to respond.
Grant me the courage to risk something new
and become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen.
Too often we live life on autopilot. Have you ever driven home and had no memory of how you got there? I know I have.
A university research project placed obstacles along a campus walking path to test how observant people were. A signboard announcing the research project was placed on the path in such a way that people had to move to avoid it. When asked a few moments later if they had passed any obstacles, most were not aware they had avoided a signboard. Their minds were someplace else while they walked.
A follow-up study took place. This time $5 bills were placed on tree branches that extended over a narrow pathway at head height. Everyone avoided the branches, but few noticed the money that was hanging there. This experiment was inspired by a YouTube video where a hundred $1 bills were hung on a tree to watch how people would respond. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsN8FUV9nS4)
How many gifts do we miss every day because we aren’t paying attention? Let go of your thoughts. Surrender to the moment and be vulnerable to receiving what’s being giving to you: the kindness of friends and family; the bounty of your senses; the natural world, the sound of rain, the sweep of the stars; or the smile of a stranger.
We don’t earn these things. We can’t. They are just simply given. The best we can do is receive them. Let them fill your cup and draw you into a deeper sense of connection with life, others, and God. Be fully awake and let it sink in that receiving generosity is good.
Prayer Phrase
“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)
Spiritual Practice
The Prayer of the Heart
Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
