Concentration

[Dream]

I find when I pray that my mind often wanders. I try to stay focused on what I am praying for but my mind just keeps drifting off and thinking about other things.

What are some good tips for staying focused and concentrating on prayer?

Thanks.

 

[geocajun]

Be patient with yourself.
This is normal, and learning to focus your attention is an important part of your prayer life.

 

[Spence06]

I have a St. Benedict Cross that I have always next to my bed and I will hold or grasp that, I have that normally when I pray in bed and when I pray outside, I will have the bible or the Divine office with me. I found croses to better focuses and I strongly like using my St. Benedict's cross and if your interested I found this website that has the identical one of mine.

http://www.sacredheart.com/saint_benedict_crucifix.htm

I don't know if that will help you. But you should maybe try praying about being focused in my prayer. Start your prayers with a special prayer to stay focused, because that is a way i start the divine office.

Hope it helps, God bless!

-neil

 

[plainswolf]

I don't know if that will help you. But you should maybe try praying about being focused in my prayer. Start your prayers with a special prayer to stay focused, because that is a way i start the divine office.

Hope it helps, God bless!

-neil

Very good idea!.. For me, when saying the Rosary I often have the same problem while meditating on the mysteries. And often I pray the Rosary sort of like St. Louis De Monfort dexribes in "The Secret of the Rosary".

For instance, on the first Sorrowful Mystery while reciting the Hail Mary, I would do it as such:

"Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art though among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus in agony. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen"

And so like with the other mysteries as well. This helps me a great deal!

J.M.J.
plainswolf

 

[MichaelFJF]

Drifting off is normal. Just realize you did it and get back on track. The thing to guard against is beating yourself up about losing a minute of concentration, because then it turns into 2 minutes. M

 

[Dream]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Caedmon]

Beads.

Having rosary beads to hang onto is very comforting to me. I'm still looking for a good rosary. I have a few, and they're ok. I like the one with bigger round beads, except it's clunky and rigid in the joints. I have as yet not found the set that's just right for me. But anyway, if you're like me and need something tactile to focus on, beads will do the trick.

 

[Rising_Suns]

Hi DT,

You should try "centering prayer". It's a Catholic meditation that developes ones concentration. Also keep in mind that God sees our efforts more than the actual results, so as others have said, try not to get discourgaed.

May the Lord give you His peace!

-Davide

 

[Paul S]

Here's the prayers I say before I pray the Office:

Aperi, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum: munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitatiónibus; intelléctum illúmina, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc Offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, has tibi Horas (vel hanc tibi Horam) persólvo.
-----------
Open, O Lord, my mouth to bless thy holy name: cleanse also my heart from all vain, evil, and foreign thoughts; illuminate my intellect, inflame my affections, that worthily, attentively, and devoutly I may be able to recite this Office, and may I be worthy to be heard before the appearance of thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, in union with that divine intention, by which thou thyself on earth offered thy praises to God, I offer these my Hours (or this my Hour) to you. Amen.

 

[NDIrish]

Keep a good devotional book handy. Using a book can really help guide your prayer.

 

[Carrye]

Also keep in mind that God sees our efforts

“There will be times when your mind just won’t go into God’s sanctuary. That’s when you spend your hour in God’s waiting room. Still, you’re there, and God appreciates your struggle to stay there.” --Unknown

 

[FullyMT]

If you're praying for things going on in your life, or for people, and your mind starts to wander, start praying for the thing your mind is wandering through. So...say you were praying for a friend, and then you start thinking about an upcoming test or dinner, pray about the test or meal.

 

[Rising_Suns]

If you're praying for things going on in your life, or for people, and your mind starts to wander, start praying for the thing your mind is wandering through. So...say you were praying for a friend, and then you start thinking about an upcoming test or dinner, pray about the test or meal.

And that's a very important point. We should not try to suppress our worries in prayer, but give them up to the Lord through our prayers.

 

[tjboie2001]

I have trouble praying too.