Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Do You Get Distracted When You Pray?

By Debbie January 17, 2012 Prayer

Do you get distracted when you pray?

I have to admit that at times …I do.

I begin by praising God for who He is.  I thank Him for what He has done.  I acknowledge my trust in Him.  But as I begin to get into my time of intercession, suddenly my mind wanders to my to-do list or something flashes through my mind that I forgot to do.  Before I realize it, more time has gone by and I have to get ready for work.

At night as I lie in bed, I pray.  I realize the next morning that I fell asleep while I was praying.

Before Jesus was arrested, He went to Gethsemane to pray.  He took Peter, James and John with Him.

Mark 14:32-34 says: “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them.  “Stay here and keep watch.”

While Jesus was praying, He asked a simple request of His disciples.  Stay here and keep watch.

Mark 14: 37-38 says: “Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

I have to admit that I probably would have been like Peter and fallen asleep.  I feel saddened as I think of that.

I thank God for His grace and mercy.

I started including a few helps for me to use during my prayer time to keep me focused.

  • I use 3×5 cards with Scripture verses that I pray back to the Lord.
  • I have a book called “31 Days of Praise” by Ruth Myers and I often use it as I praise Him.
  • I keep a list of prayer requests in front of me.
  • I sometimes sing to the Lord (even though I may be off key).
  • I have learned that it’s OK to continue my prayers throughout the day.

My list certainly isn’t complete but I know that you have some thoughts and points you might add to help me and others who get distracted.

Will you offer some suggestions for those who get distracted when they pray?

Blessings and love,

 

5 thoughts on “Do You Get Distracted When You Pray?”

  2. Iris

    I too get distracted during my prayer time, but I have found that it is easier for me personally to pray throughout the day. When the Lord puts a name on my heart to pray for, I do it right then and there 🙂

  3. bp

    Yes I get distracted too. I find myself praying throughout the day. I also have a prayer journal I use during my quiet time where I write prayers or names of people I want to pray about.

    Bethany

  4. Margaret

    This made me smile. I too get distracted, especially when I say my bedtime prayers. My thoughts go off to a person or situation. But that’s OK. I can start over again.

    Also, I have an all day conversation with our Lord. My husband says that God will ask me to be quiet for at least 5 minutes, when I enter Heaven. 🙂

    We are told – ‘Pray with ceasing.’ We know the Lord is waiting to hear our requests and thank you’s. I take that to mean I can gibber all day. 🙂