“If caught sleeping, slowly raise your head from your desk and say, ‘In Jesus’ name, Amen’”

“If caught sleeping, slowly raise your head from your desk and say, ‘In Jesus name, Amen’” is a jocular work tip that has been printed on many images. The joke has been cited in print since at least 1999, when it was part of a list titled “Ten best things to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk.” The top answer:
   
“And the No. 1 best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk is ...
1. ’ ... in Jesus’ name, Amen.’”
 
Authorship of the top ten list is unknown.
   
     
21 February 1999, Statesman Journal (Salem, OR), “Willamette WHIMSY” by Tom Forstrom, pg. 1D, col. 1:
Here are the Top 10 things to say if your boss wanders by and catches you nodding off at your desk. A reader passed them along to us.
(...)
And the No. 1 best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk is ...
 
1. ” ... in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
 
Google Groups: alt.flame.jesus.christ
Ten best things to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk:
St. Jackanapes
6/2/00
Ten best things to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk:
(...)
And the number one best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk:
 
1. ” ... in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
 
Google Groups: alt.uu.misc.misc
TEN THINGS
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
12/8/06
TEN BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU ARE CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK
(...)
AND, THE NUMBER ONE BEST THING TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK:
 
1. Raise your head slowly and say, “...in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
   
Twitter
Rico Sta. Cruz
@rstacruz
5 Best Things to Say When Caught Sleeping at Your Desk: 1. Raise your head slowly and say, “...in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
10:05 PM - 25 Nov 2007
       
Google Books
The Funniest Things I Read on E-Mail While My Boss Thought I Was Working
By Ken Garber
Xlibris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2009
Pg. 107:
And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk: (Raising your head slowly) “... In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
 
Google Books
Emailing America
By Rhonda Watkins
Lulu Press (Lulu.com)
2017
Pg. 80:
And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk:
(Raising your head slowly) ‘... in Jesus’ name, Amen’
 
Twitter
Bender
@TheBenderNation
#BenderLifeHack If you ever get caught sleeping in class OR WORK… slowly raise your head from your desk and say, “In Jesus’ name… Amen”.🤣😇🙏
8:01 AM - 8 May 2018