I approached this prayer period in the spirit of surrender. I put the problem of my sleepiness in my Father’s hands. If the source of the problem were within me, I asked Him for the grace to know what I needed to do about it, and the strength to do what needed to be done. If the problem were really a blessing in disguise, and came from Him, I asked Him for the grace of cooperating with Him and for the strength to accept His will. If the devil were trying to interfere with my prayer periods, I asked Him to put him in his place, and to protect me from his influence. I also asked the aid of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, and of my guardian angel.

Finally, I made an offering to my Father of all my frustrations and discomfort on this matter. I gave it to Him in union with the Cross. This may have been what He as been waiting for, because I felt Jesus very close to me then. I saw again the imagery of Him carrying His Cross before me and my little cross. He turned and gave me strength. I felt it pouring into me. Yet, at the same time I began to feel very tired. That seemed a paradox, but the strength was something of the soul, but the fatigue was of the body.

Putting my trust in Him, I read Luke 9, 10, and 11. The words had noting special to say to me, but I don’t think they were the point of today’s lesson from my Father. A number of times, I became very sleepy while reading. Each time, I turned to my Brother for strength, and He gave it (1) – physical strength. I perked right up at His touch. With His help, I remained awake through the prayer period.

I ended the time with prayers of thanksgiving to my Father and Brother. The time went moderately, either fast nor slow.