To have a strong, strong relationship with God is my goal and I do feel that I am on that road, but for some reason everytime I go to pray, whether it be at night, at church, or any other time, my mind always wanders off. I don't even get half way through what I want to pray about before I'm thinkin about something completely different. Does this happen to anyone else? Is there anything I can do that would keep me totally focused while I pray? Thanks!
2007-04-08 17:01:22 · 11 answers · asked by Rachel 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God hears all the prayers of the righteous. But consider the following:
A Christian hunter is hunting bears in the woods. While walking up a hill he grabs a branch for leverage and it breaks sending the hunter tumbling down the hill, gun flying off elsewhere. When the hunter dusts himself off he sees a huge bear charging him. The hunter begins running, but trips and falls, landing on his knees. Seizing the opportunity, and being a good Christian, the hunter begins to pray, "Lord, make this bear a Christian."
The woods are quiet, the hunter turns and, Hallelujah! He sees the bear on his knees, paws together, praying! Listening, he hears the bear praying, "Father, bless this food to my body."
The key message here is that God answers prayers of the righteous, but the answer you get may not be the answer you want, but it will always be the right answer. Prayer is a coming to God, telling Him your need (or the need of others), committing your way unto the Lord, and then leaving God to deal with the case as seems best to Him.
How should one pray to God?
I speak to God in the same manner as I write these words to you now. That is, I have a plain conversation (no “thou’s” “thine’s”, “thy’s”!) with Him each day, usually out under the stars late at night as my family sleeps. My prayers are conversations that follow a pattern. I start every prayer with the following: "Most merciful God, not my will, but yours, be done." I repeat that phrase often during my prayers. Sometimes I will do so for tens of times just to quiet my mind and make it open to hearing from my Creator.
Use the following pattern in all your prayers and you will see them answered: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. See the links below for more information. (acronym: ACTS)
http://www.prayerguide.org.uk/actsmodel.htm
http://www.powertopray.com/howto/ACTS.html
2007-04-08 17:19:30 · answer #1 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of this is due to the subconscious mind. You need to stay focused on a certain goal. Whatever it is that you are praying for. It involves self-discipline, but with God all things are possible.
2007-04-08 17:09:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Hindu and every night before I go to bed I perform Japa (saying Holy Mantras while counting prayer beads). I have candles lit and incense burning and I direct myself toward my Lord Ganesha murti. Having this ritual never fails to keep me totally focused. It is also such a wonderful stress reliever before retiring to sleep.
Jai Ganesha!
2007-04-08 17:06:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jade 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Prayer is a placebo.
The only relationship that you have with an imagined and man-made entity is in your own imagination.
Despite the very many prayers, why won't god heal amputees?
2007-04-08 17:11:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might help you for a short time, to make a list of things you would like to pray about.
In time, prayer becomes more natural and easy. Like a song,you sing all day.
2007-04-08 17:05:19 · answer #5 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is a conscious effort you must make to stay focused. It is going to take practice. I'll keep images of Jesus or a bible or other religious article in front of me and concentrate on it. If I notice myself wandering, I'll readjust my thoughts and refocus on the image and what I should be doing.
2007-04-08 17:07:47 · answer #6 · answered by momo5j7 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You cannot be proficient with any spell unless you practice intensely and truly believe in what you're doing.
If you want the Truth.....Ask a Pagan.
2007-04-08 17:05:10 · answer #7 · answered by Terry 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Happens to me. Sometimes very unchristian thoughts come to mind at that time as well. I blame Satan. Pray about it.
2007-04-08 17:05:46 · answer #8 · answered by mythos_equidae 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Here's a method to learn about.
2007-04-08 17:11:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have that problem, too. if i get distracted, i try to pray out loud. it's easier for me to focus if i think it , hear it , and say it.
2007-04-08 17:06:00 · answer #10 · answered by Ginger L 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋