MALAWI: “Could You Not Stay Awake with Me for One Hour?”: A Call to Reclaim Our Attention in Church
By Luke Bisani
In the quiet of the Garden of Gethsemane, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus Christ faced a moment of profound anguish. Aware of the suffering that lay ahead, He went away to pray, taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him. He asked them to remain with Him and keep watch. Yet, when He returned, He found them sleeping.
With a mixture of disappointment and urgency, Jesus asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40).
This question, spoken more than two thousand years ago, remains relevant to Christians today. Beyond the physical sleep of the disciples, the passage invites us to examine our own attentiveness to God, particularly when we gather in church to pray, listen to His Word and celebrate the Eucharist.
Are we truly present when we come before God, or are we allowing distractions to steal our attention?
When the Phone Takes Our Attention Away from God
Mobile phones have become an inseparable part of modern life. They help us communicate, access information, follow current affairs and remain connected with family and friends. However, when used without discipline, these same devices can become a source of distraction, even in places and moments that call for reverence and concentration.
It is not uncommon to see people checking messages, scrolling through social media, responding to notifications or taking calls during church services. While the priest is preaching, the Scriptures are being proclaimed or the faithful are joining in prayer, some minds are occupied by conversations and updates happening on their screens.
The danger is not necessarily the presence of the phone itself, but the attention it demands at the wrong time.
Imagine sitting before someone who is speaking to you from the heart, only for you to spend the entire conversation looking at your phone. Such behaviour could communicate disinterest, even if that was never your intention. How much more should we reflect on our attentiveness when we come into the presence of God?
Church is not merely a place we visit out of routine. It is a sacred space where we encounter God, listen to His Word, strengthen our faith and unite with other believers in worship. Such an encounter deserves our attention.
Sleeping Disciples, Distracted Worshippers
The sleeping disciples were not necessarily indifferent to Jesus. They had accompanied Him, witnessed His ministry and shared in His mission. Yet, at a critical moment, their human weakness overcame their willingness to remain awake.
In a similar way, Christians may enter church with sincere intentions but gradually surrender their attention to distractions. The body may be present in the pew, while the mind wanders elsewhere.
The comparison is not that every person using a phone in church is equivalent to a sleeping disciple. Rather, the Gospel invites us to consider a deeper question: Can we give God our undivided attention, even for one hour?
Jesus’ words challenge us to recognize that being physically present does not always mean being spiritually attentive. We may hear the readings without reflecting on their message, participate in the liturgy without fully engaging in prayer, or receive the Word without allowing it to touch our hearts.
The question, therefore, is not simply whether we have attended Mass, but whether we have been attentive to the encounter that Mass offers.
Worship Deserves More Than Our Leftover Attention
In a world where notifications compete for our attention every few minutes, silence and concentration have become increasingly difficult to maintain. We have grown accustomed to checking our screens whenever a moment of quiet presents itself.
However, prayer requires us to slow down, listen and create space for God. The celebration of the Eucharist calls for active participation, reverence and an openness to the mystery being celebrated.
When a phone rings during Mass, when someone repeatedly checks messages or when social media becomes more compelling than the sermon, the distraction may affect not only the individual but also those seated nearby.
This does not mean that phones have no place in church. Digital Bibles, prayer applications and other religious resources can support one’s spiritual life. Phones may also be necessary in emergencies or for people with particular accessibility needs. The challenge is to use technology purposefully rather than allow it to control our attention.
A simple decision to silence a phone, switch off unnecessary notifications or put the device away during Mass can make a meaningful difference. For those who use digital versions of the Bible, discipline is equally important: opening Scripture should not become an opportunity to wander into social media.
Can We Give God One Hour?
Jesus’ question in Gethsemane was directed to His disciples at a moment when He deeply desired their companionship. It reveals the importance of vigilance, faithfulness and prayer, especially during difficult moments.
Today, the same words can serve as a personal examination of conscience for every Christian who enters a church.
Can we set aside our messages, social media updates, phone calls and other distractions long enough to give God our attention? Can we resist the urge to check our screens and instead listen to the Word that calls us to conversion, love and service?
An hour or two in church is short compared with the many hours we spend working, communicating, browsing the internet and entertaining ourselves. Yet, even those two can become spiritually fruitful when we approach it with a focused mind and an open heart.
The invitation is not to condemn technology, but to restore the right order of our priorities. Our phones should serve us; they should not prevent us from worshipping God attentively.
As we reflect on Matthew 26:40, let us move beyond merely hearing Jesus’ question and allow it to challenge our daily habits.
