Five Tips for Distracted Prayer
My friend texted the other day, “Wanna come over and pray together?”
I wasn’t sure what was going on, but whatever it was, I’m always glad to pray with someone and believe God is able (Ephesians 3:20).
But she explained there wasn’t anything particular, she was just feeling distracted and finding it hard to focus and pray.
This was one of the things I found on my recent survey– distractions, mind wandering, interruptions, etc. Everyone has so much going on and so much on their mind.
Surely, having someone to pray with is one helpful way to combat distractions. But we can’t do this every day. So what can we do?
First, keep a list of people and things you’re praying about. I keep mine on an index card kept in my Bible. I have all my family members on it as well as others I am praying for regularly. These can change often, so I write it in pencil. (You may not have time to go through the whole list each day, but it’s a good guide for when you do.)
You may even want to write down your prayers. Keeping a prayer journal is great for lifting our spirits as we look back at how God has answered in the past, but it’s also a great tool for keeping focused.
Second, open your Bible and pray scripture. Psalms are a great place to go for that. For example: Psalm 30:6-12, Psalm 51:1-12, Psalm 91, Psalm 139, Psalm 145:1-6.
Here are a few links with some other suggestions:
15 Prayers from the Bible
Prayers from the Bible
Scriptures to Pray for Yourself
Oftentimes, just reading scripture prompts prayer.
Third, if your mind wanders, pray about whatever it is you find yourself thinking about, and then get back to the rest of your praying. If you’re distracted by it, it must need to be prayed about.
Fourth, choose a time and place that will have to fewest distractions and interruptions. Make a “war room” if you can, or at least a war corner. Decide what time is best and how much time you will commit to.
Finally,
Don’t let distractions stop you from praying. Our families and our world need our prayers.
(click to tweet)
Often we wait for inspiration or until we feel like praying. But we’re told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. So let’s not allow feelings to drive our obedience.
Someday soon you may wish you had prayed today. (click to tweet)
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments (here or on social media).
What have you found helps keep you focused in prayer?
What scriptures do you like to pray?
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I appreciate your comments and shares. I invite you to ‘follow’ so you won’t miss when I post.
I’ve also written a recipe, so to speak, for prayer, based on the Lord’s Prayer – the elements of prayer that He taught – and created an acrostic to help us remember those elements. You can find it on my blog in July and August 2016. I’ve written it as a Bible Study also, and I’d love to send you the first week free. Just email me at lifecoachpenny@yahoo.com and mention FREE1ST. And I’d love your feedback! Blessings, Penny