well,
i dont believe prayer should ever be shut out by being too busy. i find the best thing to do, is to make your prayer time the very first thing in your entire day, atleast then you know youll get it done, and it will ready you.
have a mastered this? nope.
i find myself oversleeping and waste my time and end up not being able to pray alot. but it is cus im lasy, not becuase i have too be like that.
when i pray, i always go into my room, maybe play some instrumental music, nothing with words. and i turn all the lights off and close the door, i want no distractions. just me and god. and that helps to keep my mind focused, without having pictures and objects distracting me.
i always start out talking to god, and asking for things later. i pour myself out before him and that gets my desire and thoughts focused on him. but it is always a mental battle, keeping focused, untill your in that zone with god, and nothing distracts you.
i think one problem people have is simply the fact that they only know a few types of prayer.
like petitionary prayer.
asking for a need.
they come to god, ask god to give them what they need and then they leave.
but there is so much more than that to praying.
like having conversations with him, loving on him, him loving on you, worshipping him, really getting to know him. not simply using him to get what you need.
i mean, really get to know him. hes not a genie in a lamp, hes a person who wants a relationship more than simply granting your wishes, he wants to walk around and talk with you all day about everything, not simply get rubbed on everyday so he can grant a wish. when you have a relationship with god, prayer may last for hours, like conversations with other people may last for hours, becuase both sides are contributing.