How to Handle Distractions During Prayer

Getting distracted happens to all Christians, even the ones that does daily devotion and has a prayer journal. I'm like that too, honestly. And although I've found ways that truly helped me, I still get distracted especially during short prayers, in the most random times of the day. However, there's the fact that we're humans, still in the flesh so please give yourself some grace.

Even when your mind wanders while praying, although that addictive song plays in your head, even when you have that weirdest imaginations, and although the lies of the devil bring you down, God remains. God listens. God knows all your struggles, God understands your weaknesses and strengths.

God knows we're imperfect, sinful humans. We're in desperate need of saving. That's why Jesus had to come here 2000 years ago and that could be why He's coming back soon. (See Revelations 22:6-21)

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Aside from us and our capacity for self-control, social media is the main suspect.

Because in this world, we see and hear notifications so often to the point where even just the sight of gadgets catches our attention. Of course we're going to struggle with focus when we suddenly try to be still and quiet with God, especially during prayer.

I used to scroll endlessly through social media, letting my mind wander and get lost in random posts. After falling for it so many times, I now understand that the habit of wandering doesn't just disappear the moment I start praying.

He doesn't expect perfection from you while you're still in the flesh.

Yes, we do get distracted.

Yes, our minds race.

But God knows how we're wired, He's our Creator after all.

And He's incredibly patient as we learn to quiet our hearts before Him.

But because we love God, we must make changes to lessen the noise of the world, so that we can hear Him, and pray to Him in the Spirit. (See Ephesians 6:18)

Let's say that again. Put the phone away, seriously.

All gadgets, A-W-A-Y. Out of sight, out of mind.

If you need it for a Bible app, put it on airplane mode. 25 minutes of quite and focused prayer time for God won't hurt your 1440 minutes in a day. It will in fact, benefit you if we're being completely honest.

Hearing from God through the Word first is one of the keys to have a conversation with Him. Sometimes, it feels like he's starting the conversation, and then we get to respond.

But genuinely, this helps. Pray a short prayer before reading the Scripture like, "Lord, please speak to me through Your Word. Amen"

Then, read slowly. Read it over and over again, slowly and gently. (Please, let's not rush our time with God.) Cast your burdens to Him, and pray an honest prayer. For most of us, this is something we can do for free; a privilege not everybody has, so we really should take advantage of this. Because at this point in this world, you just never know.

Maybe this is just what I love to do, writing slowly. But, in my experience, prayer journaling and writing in general, gives me so much peace and clarity as I see my real thoughts written down. In a way, I feel like I hear my self talking and I just become more aware of the 'real deal' in my life. It gives me an enlightenment of what truly matters so I encourage you to try it out!

Seriously, you don't need anything fancy to start writing. Anything will do, just get started writing your honest prayer, your honest thoughts and messages to God if you feel called to do so. It might change something for the better.