How to Focus Better During Prayer - Ask a Marian

How to Pray and How to Focus Better During Prayer?
One of the most common complaints from those trying to live a spiritual life is the inability to fully focus during prayer. Fr. Don gives some simple hints how to overcome this challenge.

[Catholicity-uwyb]

ST.TERESA OF LISIEUX: “I should be distressed that I drop off to sleep during my prayers... But I don’t feel at all distressed. I know that children are just as dear to their parents whether they are asleep or awake, and I know that doctors put their patients to sleep before they operate. I’d never before heard it said that one’s faults did not distress God, and I was overwhelmed with joy when I did receive this assurance. It gave me patience to endure this life of exile. It was, too, the echo of my inmost thoughts. For a long time I had realized that Our Lord was more tender than a mother – and how well I know the depths of tenderness in more than one mother’s heart! I know that a mother is always ready to forgive the misbehavior of her child.”

[mylovesofjoy]

There is a way that was encouraged to me when I was 6 years old to help focus while praying the rosary. My Catholic teacher told us to envision a spiritual rose cominng out of our mouth everytime we prayed the Hail Mary. And as we pray, our guardian angel is picking up each spiritual rose and forming a beautiful crown for Our Lady. When it is time to pray the Hail Holy Queen, to imagine our Blessed Mother being crowned with the crown of spiritual roses. It is so beautiful to do it this way. Of course praying while meditating on the mysteries as well. 🌹🙏🏽

[SD-fkbt]

Thank you, thank you, thank you Fr. Donald. I'm one of those notorious wanderers while saying the Rosary but let me tell you, I've recited the Rosary everyday of my life since I was twelve, except when I was in a coma for thirteen days due to a brain haemorrage years ago. And guess what? when I woke up from it, I asked what the time was and promptly started saying the Rosary in my mind. Mary is always there, even during the darkest time. She leads us to her beloved Son Jesus.

[boom-bmkl]

It's almost like God was listening! Anything more than an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be and I end up thinking about working out, work, kids, other life stressors... Heck, sometimes random uncontrolled sinful thoughts pop into my head

[tataportparas]

Thank you Father Calloway for the great advice. God bless.

[wendyjansen]

I needed to hear this video as I thought I was the only one that suffered "monkey brain" where your mind is all over the place and not meditating on the Rosary itself. Thank you Fr Calloway for always being such an inspiration. 🙏🙏🙏

[mageeherman]

Thank you Father. I very often have to take a minute to prepare my mind to pray the rosary. I found that if I transport myself, so to say, back in time and put myself at the scene of each mystery it is a lot easier to focus. Also, when doing this before I know it I am already at the Hail Holy Queen! But if I just turn on the Marian Fathers 5 pm Rosary without preparing myself my thoughts are all over the place or I'm thinking all about the people I'm praying for I stead of the mysterious. I love what you said about the Butterfly Kisses! And I'm also glad to know I'm not the only one to fall a sleep 7 Hail Mary's into the rosary.

[elenapeck]

I like to pray while i take a walk. I pray looking at the sky, a flower, hearing the birds. It makes me thankful for everything.

[zenaidatuscano]

I like your advice Fr. Calloway, to overcome the distraction while praying the holy rosary !thank you, and God Blessed ❤️☮️❤️🙏🙏🙏

[zenaidatuscano]

Thank you, for your teaching, Fr.Don, I love rosaries a best prayer that I grow up with but, I’m distracted when my grandson come running to my room during my prayer, so go back again, I heard you father ( I like to think the butterfly kiss to make me understand ) thank you Jesus 🙏 Thank you Fr. Calloway 🙏🌟👍🤓

[tlng]

Here are ways I’ve earnestly tried to pray our Rosary:
1. My Favorite way: By myself, with a Magnifcant booklet in front of Our Lord, in Adoration. (I learnt this from Fr Alar, prior to him, I didn’t even know what Adoration was! Smooth haha, coming from a Cradle Catholic here 😂)
*I used to do it with my cell phone with ear buds during Adoration. Then one night, I couldn’t get any connection! I was upset because I love the recordings of the Rosary, some have beautiful music & beautiful pictures. Then I looked up at Jesus & realized - silence. Silence in prayer & from the then on, I just read meditations from my Magnificant 😍

I know that this seems like a lot of effort, but it actually isn’t. I find it a lot more difficult to concentrate at home. Oddly, praying the Rosary in front of Jesus is incredibly a lot easier. I can’t describe it other than, give it a try yourself.

2. With my children, we each say 1 decade.
3. With my local Rosary Group at Church! If you don’t got one, start one!
4. With my best Friend over the phone!
5. Whilst I’m doing chores & I let our Marian Fathers do all the work & I just listen to the recordings 😀

A tip to prevent boredom: try to get as many copies of meditations for Rosary prayers. Oodles of Priests have written their own versions! (Fr Calloway has one of the best ones, he signed my copy!) ❤️Not to mention lay people!

Also, when I’m afraid or stressed, or traveling to strange new places, I play recordings of our Rosary. No need for me to do any work- I let Our Queen Mother’s words wrap me with comfort. ☺️ I feel it’s a way to bless the space I’m in & it calms me to know that I am protected.

[joolz]

Thank you Fr. Don. I have watched you for years and I have seen a huge maturity growth in you. You have come full circle and are such a blessing and gift to us all! You are a walking miracle!

[piepeeya]

Thank Father Don. I sometimes fall asleep while praying the rosary. I try to pray 4 rosaries a day. Problem is that I pray the Hail Mary when I can't sleep and She helps me sleep. Someone said in passing that when you fall asleep praying the rosary that your guardian angel finishes it for you. 😁

[alwaysmisskaryn]

Thank you Father. Something that helps me is calling to mind a scene from THE CHOSEN, especially when I pray the Luminous or Joyful Mysteries. God bless you and your Marian family. You’re always in my prayers.

[alwaysmisskaryn]

Thank you Fr Don. You always seem to zero in on what is most pressing in my mind around spiritual matters God bless you

[joannawolfe]

You’re wonderful, Fr. Calloway! It was an honor and a privilege to hear and meet you last January before the Good News Marriage cruise!!

[michaelakusi]

Father thank you for your wonderful guideline.

[meschoooter]

Thank you, Father. Very nice. Encouraging.

[vanado]

Thank you Father, God bless you always

[ednagonzalez]

So grateful for this video by Father Calloway! Thank you and God bless you always.