Having trouble with my mindset in Prayer!

[Paul 84]

Been noticing the last couple of days a problem in my Prayerlife or lack of Prayerlife, I've always notice this problem to a lesser degree but now it must worse. Everytime I prayer to God I have to fight with the problem of my mind wondering elsewhere or going on rabbit chases, and before I know it what started as prayer to the Almighty ends up being something else. I'm tired of what I consider to be a sin on my part, and an offense to God.

I know a lot of it is just getting my mind more focus on God (II Corinthians 10:5) or as the Bible says renewing my mind (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10).

Would appreciate any advice or help anyone may have on this manner. How do you keep focus on God in your prayers?

[redwing]

Matthew 6:6-13 (King James Version)

6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

[MorningGlory]

I guarantee you, Paul, you are NOT the only one who struggles with this! I find my mind wandering sometimes too; once I even fell asleep in the middle of a prayer! I think the passage that speaks of going into a closet hits the problem right on the head. There are so many distractions in the world we live in that it's easy for one's mind to wander. I have to be in total quiet to stay focused.

[Paul 84]

Thank you redwing and MorningGlory, of course your right getting in a prayer closet does help, but I still have this problem in my private prayer closet.

[Believer1997]

Paul,

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about and because I have somewhat of an attention deficit problem, I struggle with concentration on my prayers. It does help to get quiet and just breathe and think and start your prayer with Praise, Praise, Praise....

I don't know if it's something you are able to do or not, but when I really need some "face time" with The Lord - I go for a walk at a local Civil War battlefield park near my home - I know it sounds like that would be a crazy place to go - but the trails are beautiful wooded forests and so quiet... it leads to a pretty creek with a nice boardwalk and I go there a sit and 'talk to God'. I'm fortunate to be near a lot of quiet and beautiful places - my all time favorite place is where I feel so close to God - a beautiful beach my family and I visit several times a year. His Power and Grace are so present there and I enjoy it especially in winter. So, I guess, what I'm trying to say in this ramble - is that sometimes you must get out of your prayer closet and go listen to God in His trees and streams and powerful waters. I even manage to feel close to Him and quiet in my garden - so maybe this will help you. God Bless!!!

[Paul 84]

Thanks Believer that sound like an excellent idea. It reminds me of Paul words to the Philippians "Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things,are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if they be any praises, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

By the way if that is what you call rambling please feel free to ramble to me anytime! Sorry Believer if I wasn't half computer illliterate I would give you a smiling face thumbs up.

[Believer1997]

Thanks Believer that sound like an excellent idea. It reminds me of Paul words to the Philippians "Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things,are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if they be any praises, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

By the way if that is what you call rambling please feel free to ramble to me anytime! Sorry Believer if I wasn't half computer illliterate I would give you a smiling face thumbs up.

Thank you Paul - I hope you are able to get out and it will help you to concentrate...

[Murse32]

Been noticing the last couple of days a problem in my Prayerlife or lack of Prayerlife, I've always notice this problem to a lesser degree but now it must worse. Everytime I prayer to God I have to fight with the problem of my mind wondering elsewhere or going on rabbit chases, and before I know it what started as prayer to the Almighty ends up being something else. I'm tired of what I consider to be a sin on my part, and an offense to God.

I know a lot of it is just getting my mind more focus on God (II Corinthians 10:5) or as the Bible says renewing my mind (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10).

Would appreciate any advice or help anyone may have on this manner. How do you keep focus on God in your prayers?

Paul, Once again, you are not the only person that suffers from this. I find myself trying to think about issues during the day and can't, yet when I begin to pray, my prayer will step off the path and that issue becomes all too clear. I wouldn't worry about God feeling it's a sin or offense...God knows your heart and knows what you need before you even pray...not to mention it's the spirit in us that mediates our prayers. One person mentioned they fell asleep during prayer....that seems to me, that is because you are in fellowship with God and become so comfortable and relaxed these issues happen.

People seem to want to "LEARN" how to pray so bad, yet the bible says we don't know how to pray for as we OUGHT to (romans 8:26...and Im not speaking about praying in tongues). So relax, pray as your heart leads you and let the spirit do it's job and in time you shall be refined. We are only righteous through Christ, yet we are to pray in righteousness...it's a difficult task, but through the grace of God, we are able to communicate to Him, through Him. God Bless brother.

[riel]

Would appreciate any advice or help anyone may have on this manner. How do you keep focus on God in your prayers?

[Fraught]

why force your prayer into a routine? isn't it okay to speak to God as He comes to mind? consider that your prayer of 3 or 4 words may be very important to God.