I am certain that there is a large amount of spiritual warfare that goes against believers during the corporate worship of the Church on the Lord's Day.

The reason I say this is because even if I get 6-8hrs of sleep on the Sabbath's eve, I can sometimes find it difficult to keep my eyes wide open. Whereas on other days I may get the same amount or less sleep and be just fine, sitting still in a similar situation.

Do any of you ever experience this? And I'm not talking about being sleepy because one didn't get enough rest the night before. I'm talking about having been fully rested and prepared for the Lord's Day.

If so, what practical things do you engage in to keep alert when bombarded with this?

__________________
Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
Member of TRBC, Attending CCRPC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
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If you don't already do this, perhaps taking notes would help? Also, perhaps turning to any Scripture passages that the teacher references even if he reads them himself would help as well.

__________________
Taylor Otwell
Member -- Oak Cliff Baptist Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA

Did we ever hear any cry out on their deathbed that they have been too holy, that they have prayed too much, or walked with God too much? – Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture

For me, I try and get up early on the Lord's Day and engage my mind before going to church. A time of prayer or reading the word is one method of engaging the mind. It certainly doesn't hurt to have breakfast in moderation. A breakfast loaded with carbs (pancakes, breads etc.) will cause a spike in blood sugar followed by a crash a few hours later. Depending on when you eat breakfast it could result in a crash right about sermon time.

__________________
Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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Thanks, Taylor. Yes, I do take notes, and also follow the Scripture references.

I do this as well, Bill. Here's what's really strange. On the Lord's Days that this happens to me, I'm completely alert through the Lord's Table, Sunday School, and the singing portion of the worship service. This tends to be (when it happens, it's not real frequent) during the preaching. And the elder who preaches mostly is an excellent preacher.

__________________
Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
Member of TRBC, Attending CCRPC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
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Josh,

How often does this happen? Every other week? Monthly? Is there a pattern to it that you can discern?

__________________
Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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No pattern, Bill. I am mainly curious if anyone else ever experiences such.

__________________
Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
Member of TRBC, Attending CCRPC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

I don't know how helpful this book would be, but perhaps someone who has read it can chime in. I know that the title doesn't exactly describe your situation, but it may have some helpful tips...

"Richard Steele - A Remedy for Wondering Thoughts in Worship"

__________________
Taylor Otwell
Member -- Oak Cliff Baptist Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA

Did we ever hear any cry out on their deathbed that they have been too holy, that they have prayed too much, or walked with God too much? – Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture

Out of curiosity, on the days where your altertness suffers, have you eaten a big breakfast?

__________________
Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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Yes.

__________________
Taylor Otwell
Member -- Oak Cliff Baptist Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA

Did we ever hear any cry out on their deathbed that they have been too holy, that they have prayed too much, or walked with God too much? – Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture

I am prone to getting sleepy, so I have to the do the same thing as has been suggested. I get up early, I eat very light, and I down a good stout cup of coffee before the worship service.

__________________
J Baldwin
Keowee Presbyterian Church, PCA
Pickens, SC
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Check Out My Blog: http://reflectjoy.blogspot.com/

No, Sir. And I'm almost certain it has nothing to do with diet. Because the "sleepiness" never lasts. When this happens --and it's not often, I just wanted to inquire about it here on the PB-- it's pretty much *only during the preaching. I am familiar with low blood sugar, crashes, etc. and this is nothing like that.

__________________
Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
Member of TRBC, Attending CCRPC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Have you ever thought about how warm it is in the building? Sometimes that can make you sleepy, too.

__________________
J Baldwin
Keowee Presbyterian Church, PCA
Pickens, SC
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Check Out My Blog: http://reflectjoy.blogspot.com/

You know sister, you have a point. I have a fire going right about now and it's really warm. This conver..ion is re......ly m.k.g me tir.......zzzzzzzzzz

__________________
Bill Brown
Elder
Grace Baptist Church
Anne Arundel County, Maryland

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Actually, I'm very hot natured, so warmth typically keeps me awake. And it still doesn't account that it *only* happens during this brief 35-45 minute period of preaching.

__________________
Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
Member of TRBC, Attending CCRPC. My Blog
The Puritan Pub (Team Blog)
Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

I don't have the problem in church, of course, the situation is a little different for me. I'm a tad more involved than most during worship, especially during the preaching! I have had the problem elsewhere, particularly when watching TV or on the computer. As to the amount of sleep, I never get enough. I'd say at best I average six hours a night, no naps during the day.

__________________
Ivan Schoen, Pastor * Maranatha Baptist Church * Poplar Grove, Illinois USA www.maranatha-sbc.org/
“One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in him. This is the motor that drives my ministry as a pastor. It affects everything I do.” --- Dr. John Piper

I think being in the Marine Corps has helped given the amount of time I've had to sit still and pay attention in my life. I also am grateful for being raised with weekly Church attendance and being required to sit still during Church since I can remember.

Personally, I also find some brief exercise in the AM before worship to help clear the mind and get the blood flowing to be very helpful. The Puritans would call it physic I believe.

__________________
Rich
Northern VA
OPC

WebsiteMaven - Web Hosting Reviews, Guides, and Advice to build and promote your web site.
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http://www.puritanboard.com/268480-post32.html

__________________
Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

Yes, Josh, it sometimes happens to me. I take slow deep (really deep) breaths a few times. Then my eyes usually clear up and I'm alert.

__________________
R.Vic Bottomly
Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Tacoma, WA

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I remember reading about Jackson. He did have some health issues involving his intestines I thought and he believed that standing and sitting straight would relieve them. He was always so ramrod straight that he was known to fall asleep in that position. I guess his riding style was even noted for it's "clunkiness" as a result of the way he postured himself.

__________________
Rich
Northern VA
OPC

WebsiteMaven - Web Hosting Reviews, Guides, and Advice to build and promote your web site.
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It doesn't happen to me anymore but I remember it happening often when I was younger (during the congregational prayer too).

I won't say anything definitive about it being a matter of spiritual warfare but one commentator said concerning Luke 4:33-34 that the devil is present at every sermon.

__________________
Rev. Daniel Kok
Pastor of Grace Reformed Church (URCNA)
Leduc, Alberta CANADA
Church Blog

"there is no creature, either in heaven or on earth, who loves us more than Jesus Christ"
Belgic Confession, Article 26

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I certainly hope it doesn't happen to you during the sermon NOW! That would be .... interesting

__________________
Todd K. Pedlar
member, First Congregational Church, (CCCC) Cresco, IA
http://semperubi.rtrc.net

"Many men, after a long conversion, see more of the workings of sin in their hearts than ever they did before or at their first conversion. Now, such men have not an increase of sin, but an increase of illumination and light" (Christopher Love)


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Josh, you may be getting prepared to be a living miracle!