finding it hard to focus on God

[Bethany35]

hi there
my name's Bethany, been an Anglican since my teen years, now quite devoted. Although I find it hard to focus on praying or listening to God without other voices popping up in my head. Does anyone else here get that?
The reason I put it in our sub group is I wasn't really sure where it goes.

 

[Tigger45]

Hi Bethany

Does it help if you read prayers from the BCP to keep your mind better focused on God?

 

[Bethany35]

not sure what the BCP is, I read a bit of my Bible daily though

 

[Tigger45]

not sure what the BCP is, I read a bit of my Bible daily though

BCP=book of common prayer. It kind of the blood that runs through Anglicism. It has prewritten prayers in it which might help with your focus on God rather then always praying extemporaneously.

 

[Deegie]

hi there
my name's Bethany, been an Anglican since my teen years, now quite devoted. Although I find it hard to focus on praying or listening to God without other voices popping up in my head. Does anyone else here get that?
The reason I put it in our sub group is I wasn't really sure where it goes.

It's very natural to have distractions while trying to pray or commune with God, if that's what you mean. We often don't have the attention span that we might like to have. As one writer put it, think of each distraction as a blessing because it gives you an opportunity to turn back to God.

And if that's not what you mean, then can you explain a little more?

 

[graceandpeace]

I get distracted during prayer, too, & though I'm Christian, I'm also a bit of skeptic, which can hamper devotion.

Pre-written prayers that can be memorized & meditated upon can be helpful - such as the Lord's Prayer, the Jesus' Prayer, prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, etc. Using visual aids like icons or physical aids like prayer beads can be helpful as well.

Let us know if we can be of more help.

 

[Feuerbach]

hi there
my name's Bethany, been an Anglican since my teen years, now quite devoted. Although I find it hard to focus on praying or listening to God without other voices popping up in my head. Does anyone else here get that?
The reason I put it in our sub group is I wasn't really sure where it goes.

Bethany,

I'm not sure if this will help you feel any better, but this is a totally normal experience. Quieting the mind is a difficult challenge for us all! I don't know what your prayer life is like, but my suggestion would be to focus on the daily prayers in the Book of Common Prayer (in whole or in part) as well as reading from the Psalter rather than just sitting and trying to focus quietly.

 

[everbecoming2007]

Yes, the Daily Office is good. Or just praying straight through the psalms. If you're constrained for time or for other reasons prefer to you can always pick prayers you like from Morning and Evening prayer and just say those.

There are other ways to pray, too -- too many to list. But I like using prayer beads, lectio divina, and possibly my favorite way to pray, simply sitting with God. That last way of praying can sink into and become a part of all these other ways to pray including the Daily Office at least when recited alone.

Just go with something simple that you like. As for distractions, keep in mind that you are a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice to God, and distractions are a part of your life, a part of that living sacrifice. When you have distractions in prayer or at any time simply give them to Jesus in your sacrifice of prayer and thanksgiving. Then you don't have to worry about them at all: they're a part of the prayer.

 

[alliem]

Sometimes the subject your mind goes to is the very thing you need to pray about. When you find yourself distracted try praying about the subject that your mind went to.