A deep mystical Communion exist when we engage in the prayer of the Church.Īll this is meant to be a simple reminder to us about the subtle things that can distract us at the time of prayer. Through the Hours or the Divine Office we were able to pray with one mind and heart with the Church throughout the world. Often in our day with the breakdown of Christian culture and community, those living in the world, sadly, find themselves left to pray on their own. In this, we can call to mind Jesus’ own words, “Where two or three are gathered, there I am in their midst.“ John encourages common prayer where we unite ourselves with others in this most essential practice of calling out to God. When these patterns of behavior take over then the demons will certainly make sport of us. We can enter into church without the proper demeanor or making signs of devotion. We can hurry through our prayers saying them inattentively and allowing the mind to wander. The same sluggishness in getting out of bed can follow us into the practice of prayer itself. We can also experience the sensation of severe and unusual pains in the stomach or fits of yawning or even waves of laughter over some amusing incident that comes to mind or takes place within the church. Yet, when the bell rings for prayer or when the alarm goes off in the morning we can hear a voice within our minds say “Wait, give yourself a little more rest.” In modern days the snooze alarm allows us to extend this indefinitely and we begin our days, perhaps lacking prayer altogether. It may be difficult for us to think of demons having an impact upon us in this fashion.
Excessive sleeping can become a long-standing habit that is difficult to cure. Thus, sleeping is important for us to consider closely. However, sleep can come upon us from an excess of food, from the temptation of demons, and also from extreme or prolonged fasting. However, there are many reasons that we can be drawn into it excessively. Sleep is certainly an essential need that we have as human beings. John shows us that sleep is something that can disrupt that which is most important for the spiritual life our prayer. When we think of appetites or bodily desires, we rarely consider something such as sleep.
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