When You’re Distracted in Prayer

When you're first growing in prayer and developing your relationship with Jesus, it is worth the effort to fight distractions in prayer. The more you can focus on our Lord, the more fruit you can see from prayer, and the deeper a bond you can experience with Jesus.

But, let's be real—distraction is inevitable. It's human. And our brains are hardwired, in some ways, to move on to "the next thing".

The Saints knew this, and there is an "advanced solution" to distraction in prayer—use it in prayer. Today, Fr. Mike tells us how.

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[annbyrne]

Padre Pio said if you get distracted during prayer, not to restart the prayer, something I used to do, but just refocus and continue, it helped me. God bless you Father from Ireland 🇮🇪 🙏

[BogoGog]

I find myself getting distracted in prayer all the time and just simply say “I’m sorry God, I got distracted. Sorry this prayer is a mess but I’m trying.” And I might even ask Him to help me focus if I’m struggling really badly. God appreciates our efforts to try to pray to Him no matter how meager they might be and He most of all appreciates our humility and honesty to bring our struggles to Him so He can help us (He already knows we have them so you might as well be upfront with Him about them and ask for His help)

[patmendell]

I added “Deliver me from my wandering mind” to the litany of Jesus.❤

[Snezanah]

One woman complained that she was so absent-minded while praying. To this father (Pio) replied: "You may not be scattered voluntarily, but if you are absent-minded and continue to pray quietly(translation is I think calmly), you have great merit, for Our Lord knows that it is not an angel who prays to him, but a poor human child. Keep praying."

[lizpuett]

I read somewhere that falling asleep, during prayer, is okay.
Because we would always rest safely in our Father's arms.

[macdan]

Seriously, how does Fr. Mike do it? Last 5 Sunday homilies are dead on point for things that are bothering me and I've been struggling to remain undistracted in my prayers....he drops this. Thanks again Fr. Mike and Ascension Presents.

[birdman]

Distractions reveal attachments. Perfectly summarized. And another lesson delivered to me at the right time.

[claudialis]

This used to happen to me a lot whenever I went to Adoration. But, ever since I began to ask Jesus to look at the thought and to heal the wound that it is coming from, it has lessened greatly. And ask Our Mother of good counsel to pray for us.

[noelig]

When I realize I'm distracted, I pray for the person or event I was thinking about.

[jawz]

To think this is normal! Mind blowing... But now I know I'm not alone, and I can work on slowly focusing back to the center. Thank you, Fr. Mike

[blujeans]

Excellent topic and something that I struggle with. However, looking deeper - I ask myself how come my brain is tack sharp focus when I waste time playing games on my phone - but can't give my Savior the same courtesy for 20 minutes.

[yvonnegill]

What I found helpful was to write my prayers.

[kgzvxbm]

Father!!!! You described how it happens PERFECTLY!!
Thank you for being you✝️🙏🏻🌹

[melodystarad]

What distracts us must be what's "deep in our hearts..what the Lord wants to talk about with you"...This sounds so sweet to me ❤❤❤

[lemancitriton]

I always keep getting distracted in prayer. If it's not external noise, it's the noise inside my own self. Thank you for helping me to find a new way to deal with it so that it strengthens my prayers instead of weakening them. God bless you, and I pray He guides you with more advice to share with us. Amen.

[jackiebusch]

I offer up all my distractions as I pray today as a prayer and place it at the foot of the Cross.

[paulamoe]

Happens to me, but, I just keep going in my prayers. I ask God for forgive me, but I refuse to stop for a random thought.

[arthurribeiro]

Again. Ascension Presents always posting the one video I’m needing without even asking what is hurting me.

[yvettelopez]

Thanks Father Mike .
I’m always having trouble with this .
I read that St.Therese had this trouble too .
I ask Our Blessed Mother for her help .

[yvonnegill]

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication prayers. ACTS. ❤