Do you ever notice that when you try to pray, your mind wanders? You just can’t seem to stay focused. All sorts of things pop into your mind to distract you. You suddenly remember things you forgot that you need to do immediately! The phone rings or other interruptions just seem to appear out of no where.
A recent study by Microsoft Corporation has confirmed that our digital lifestyle has made it more difficult for us to stay focused. The study shows that the average adult attention span has shortened from 12 seconds to eight seconds over the last decade so that we now have a shorter attention span than that of a goldfish! (9 seconds)
In addition to our digital lifestyle, we need to remember that we have a spiritual enemy who will do anything to stop us from praying because he knows the power of prayer. But the Bible says God has given us a spirit of self-control and self-discipline and so with His help we have the power to overcome our weaknesses. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Three Prayer Tips:
1. Find a place and time for prayer that has the fewest distractions for you (morning, lunch time, evening). Remember, the best time for prayer for you may change with the season of life you are in. Don’t force yourself to stay with the same prayer time if it isn’t working for you.
2. Have a Bible, a small notebook and a pen nearby. When you’re distracted by remembering something you have to do, or even by a great idea for work, etc. jot it quickly down in your small notebook for later. Sometimes our distractions are things we really need to pray about, so refocus those distractions into prayer.
3. If you can’t think of what to pray, just sit quietly and ask God to help you pray for what’s on His heart. Then listen.
“Lord, I confess that I have a difficult time focusing when I try to pray. I waste so much time on distractions that I feel guilty and frustrated instead of renewed and refreshed by your Spirit. I truly desire to fellowship with you in prayer. Please help me to recognize those distractions for what they are and then refocus on you.”
I love sharing time with God. Sitting quietly with Him and listening for His message truly brings me comfort.
It’s getting quiet to really listen that’s the challenge for me sometimes.
Sandra, thank you for this blog post. Staying focused in prayer is a struggle for me too. These are great suggestions to help, I will try them. I have also found it helpful to use a prayer list to stay focused. It also helps me to remember all the prayer needs of others!
I use a prayer app on my iPhone & ipad to keep prayer requests—I find it’s easier to change & update than a notebook!
Thanks for your encouraging message Sandra! Distraction is a real problem. I have a chalkboard prayer list hanging on my wall that’s helped me remember specific requests. Apparently something had to be placed in front of me that I couldn’t lose for me to remember to pray for individual needs. 😍
Great idea!