4 Keys to Good Prayer

Does good prayer feel out of reach for you? Do distractions plague you unceasingly? Are you wondering if you're supposed to be getting more out of prayer time?

Fr. Mike proposes a simple 4-part roadmap to better, more fulfilling prayer time. It's not difficult—it just takes practice.

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[garfieldbraithwaite]

Thank you Father, you and the Bible in a Year were instrumental in my decision to be Confirmed a Catholic at the Easter Vigil. I feel that I have come home. God bless you and your Ministry from the UK

[alphacause]

Fr. Mike's words are needed more than ever, for no generation in the history of humanity is as bombarded by distractions as we are. I know, speaking from personal experience, that my attention is constantly diverted, even when attempting something as small as 10 minutes of prayer. My focus is besieged by fantasies and thoughts unrelated to what I am praying about. Lord help me to be more attentive and present when I speak to you!

[R_Thomp]

Father, you're a GREAT priest, and you're making a difference. You're doing God's work. Thank God we have you.

[dymoure]

Just sat down and prayed one of the best prayers I’ve prayed in a while thanks to this video. 😊 Hope you all have a great rest of your day, and an even better tomorrow. Peace on Earth can start with you, I know that, especially if you’re watching this video. Sending lots of love to every reader reading this. You got this!

[ElizabethSampson]

Distraction is a huge problem for me during prayer time. This was very helpful!

[IONov]

That's hard. I almost always have multiple tabs open when I'm doing anything online. I usually clean if I am praying the rosary or doing daily mass via screen (TV or laptop). During this 8-minute video, I sent an email, completed some grading, and sent a text message. I tried that one suggestion Fr. Mike years ago about spending one hour in silence by myself. I started CRYING. I saw it was a "waste of time, " but then I realized how much time I wasted scrolling through social media or watching a TV show. It is interesting what we consider a "waste of time." I envy quiet, private people who do not use social media and do not endlessly yap on the phone or with friends. Solitary, independent people are admirable.

[robinpalaima]

Oh my gosh..I can relate because I have ADHD and my mind wonders and I have to start my prayers again! ❤🙏

[juliekaszubowski]

I was talking to the priest in confession about my Liturgy Prayer and being distracted. He likened it to his own and said something like, yeah you read through the psalm and afterwards think, "What did I just read." It helped me not to feel so badly about my own faults with it. Thank you for sharing our human condition.😇

[EliBa]

Fr Mike, you are a Joy, & you are inspired. Thankyou.

[julieCA]

My parish recently built an adoration chapel. It is SO what I needed, because I am going through a phase where my brain goes all over the place. But if I place myself in front of the blessed sacrament, I shut up, and be quiet and let God guide me. I highly recommend this to any parish that can afford it. Chapel is always at least half full. And sometimes, Christ's presence is all you need.

[wonderwoman]

I am doing The Bible in a Year now. I am on day 167. It has been a struggle. Part of my problem is that my mind tends to wander while I am listening to you, Father Mike. I have had this issue all my life. I am 62, and it seems to be getting worse. I love how you explain each day. I will probably have to do BiaY several times, as I am having difficulty remembering it. Frustrating, but you are comforting. I can't remember prayers, so I usually just have a conversation with God. You have helped me decide to go back to church. Thank you.❤

[lindavidamia]

I'm here and this is exactly what I noticed yesterday . I'm on day 35 on Hallow and I was distracted and thought well im not paying attention so returned it to start over and pay attention. My resolutions was to get closer to God so I have to be in it right. But im trying.

[acevers]

Interruption can be an issue. My little Granddaughters sometimes interrupt but sometimes they join me. What a Blessing.

[kiyri]

This is awesome! I am literally just a few hours away from teaching about prayer in an Adult Confirmation class. I will definitely add these helpful points about praying well in my presentation! Thank you, Fr. Mike!

[emperorzombie]

I have serious ADHD. Praying can be a slog and it’s often very discouraging. I always show up though. If ever I’m dreading my prayer time because I know I’m going to have a hard time, I’ll just go to the place I pray and steal a quick one. Often I find that it helps. Like there’s no obligation here so I can just pray whatever is in my heart at that moment or that day. Saints be with us in our prayer!

[jecsanrodriguez]

I usually pray at night to thank God about the day but I think I will also need to start waking up 30 min earlier to pray in the morning aswell. I definitely need it.

[nickrugg]

Fr. Mike, God’s wrestling coach!!! ✝️🙏🏻❤️💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[carons]

The suggestion that you write down one thing that you want to take from your morning prayer is a good one.
One other thing I do when I'm distracted in prayer, especially during the rosary, is to dedicate the next Hail Mary to the person who was there in the distraction (there's always a person there). Even if it was some random person I saw in the cafe that morning, I dedicate the next Hail Mary to them, and then move on.

[kt]

You Father Mike really nurture like a father. I appreciate the realness.

[ffemto]

I’m constantly distracted during prayers, especially during my morning rosary. I try to redirect myself when I realize it, but I’m so frustrated because I can’t focus for 15 minutes…. It reminds me of Christ saying, “could you not watch with me for an hour?” To the disciples in the garden. And I always feel like I’ve let Him, Mary, my guardian angel, etc. down because I can’t stay focused for that small amount of time.