Do you get distracted during your quiet times with God? Does your mind wander when you pray? Have you ever wondered if your prayers frustrate God? You’re not alone.
Sometimes I get distracted during prayer. So does Carol Barnier, a Christian author and speaker. She wondered what God thinks of her distractions – and shared her thoughts with In Touch Magazine.
“I know God is all-knowing, but I wonder if even He has a hard time following our prayers,” she wrote. “I suspect God is more amused than frustrated at the meanderings of my mind. But that’s no excuse to leave the tendency unaddressed.”
As in any relationship, we need to actually connect with God. Prayer helps us do just that.
📋 DISCLOSURE – This page has affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Read more here.
11 Ways to Focus When You Pray
There’s no better way to connect with God than prayer. It’s how we converse with Him – by talking and listening to Him. God wants us to pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and He is always listening to us (Jeremiah 29:12).
Do you struggle to clear your head and focus your mind when you pray? Put these tips into practice. Here are 11 ways to focus when you pray.
1. Pray Through Writing
Writing is a good way to help you focus when you pray. Writing down your prayers – and reading them back to God – is powerful.
Get a pretty notebook or journal to record your prayers. Look for one in a gift shop or bookstore, or find one online. Amazon sells beautiful prayer journals for women.
If you want to use your phone or computer instead of paper, start a digital diary for FREE on Penzu. Then log in and type your prayers as you talk to God.
2. Pray Through Song
A good praise song can drive the whole prayer process. Songs of praise, worship, and gratitude can help you connect with God. Here are 10 Thanksgiving songs to inspire you:
- “Blessed Be Your Name” – Tree63
- “Doxology” – David Crowder Band
- “Enough” – Chris Tomlin
- “For These Reasons” – Lincoln Brewster
- “Forever” – Chris Tomlin
- “I Thank You” – Hillsong
- “The Only Thing That’s Beautiful in Me” – Rush of Fools
- “Thank You for Saving Me” – Delirious
- “Thank You, Lord” – Paul Baloche
- “This Is How We Know” – Matt Redman
Visit Amazon Digital Music to save these songs to your music collection. Listen before you buy when you join Amazon Music Unlimited. You’ll gain access to 100 million songs (!) and you can cancel any time. Start your free trial today.
3. Pray Out Loud
If you’re not much for writing and don’t like to sing, pray out loud to God. When you pray a silent “in your head” prayer, your mind can wander or daydream. When you pray out loud, it is so much easier to stay on topic with God. Give it a try!
4. Pray While You Walk
My best conversations with God happen on my morning walks. The tree-lined streets of Kingsland Country are my “prayer closet.” As I stroll the meandering roads, the forward motion of walking moves my prayers forward, too.
📖 READ – 7 Reasons Why You Need Quiet Time With God Every Day
5. Pray With Your Fingers
Have you heard of Five Finger Prayers? The five-finger method helps you pray for specific people or groups. One finger reminds you to pray for your family while another represents your church, and so on. Here is a guide to follow.
6. Pray the ACTS Method
The ACTS method is another helpful prayer tool. ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Confession, Thanks, and Supplication. Use it to help you focus when you pray.
7. Use Prayer Cards
Some years ago, I received a pack of prayer cards from In Touch Ministries on anger, guilt, and other feelings. I still use them when something stirs my emotions and I need some prayer help.
During the COVID pandemic, In Touch offered free memory verse cards on the beatitudes. Each card had a verse on one side and a prayer on the other.
Although the free offers have expired, you can buy prayer cards from the In Touch bookstore. “Praying With Purpose: A Daily Journey With God” is a great starting point for your prayer journey.
Another option is the Prayer Cards in Tins collection from Christian Art Gifts. “Pray Continually” is a beautiful tin with 50 different prayers. Some prayers come from Scripture, and others from faithful Christians through the centuries.
Prayer Cards in a Tin: Pray Continually
8. Pray the Scriptures
Praying the scriptures is a powerful way to pray. Use Scripture memory cards or grab your Bible. The poetic books (Job, the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) are a good place to start.
Your favorite Bible verse – or “life verse” – contains wonderful words to turn into prayer. I like using Proverbs 3:5-6 and Philippians 4:6-7 when I pray the scriptures.
9. Kneel Down to Pray
If you are able, kneel on the floor to pray. If this is too hard on your knees, use a pillow, meditation bench, or memory foam kneeling cushion. Kneeling down to pray improves your focus and keeps you humble before God.
10. Find a Prayer Partner
Prayer time is usually a quiet, personal time with God. But if you tend to lose focus during prayer, a prayer partner can keep you on track. Find a prayer partner, then schedule time to pray in person or by phone or text.
11. Let Your Mind Wander
Sometimes, no matter what you do, your mind continues to wander during prayer. Have you considered that God may be allowing this to happen? You may be exactly where He wants you for a particular thought or lesson.
Wrapping It Up
We live in a world of distractions of which God is completely aware. He knows the constant demands on our attention. Yet, He wants to hear from us, and His Word tells us how:
“When you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret …” (Matthew 6:6).
Prayer connects you with God, so make sure you pray on a regular basis. If your mind tends to wander, these tips will help you focus when you pray. ◻️
Related Posts
- Do You Pray for Your Husband? Take the 31-Day Challenge
- How to Pray for Your Husband’s Job Interview
- What Is the Best Way to Start and End Your Day?
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Does your mind wander during your quiet times with God? What helps you focus when you pray?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “Prayer Tips: 11 Ways to Focus When You Pray” on Savoring Home. Join my email list and be part of the community.
Photo Sources
- Digitalskillet / Getty Images Signature | Canva | License
It’s not too late to get your FREE memory verse cards from In Touch Ministries! Click here to place your order now – before supplies run out.
Memory verse cards make it easy to memorize scripture. Each card in this set has a verse on one side and a prayer on the other. This helps you commit the verse to memory and also apply it in your life through prayer.