Focused Prayers
I find it very difficult to concentrate for very long in silence. I am sure that is true for for most everyone else. Therefore, pray aloud! Personally, I have become so used to thoughts being communicated to me audibly that I find it very difficult not to drift off into daydreams and other adventures when I am left in silence. Beyond that, forcing yourself to communicate your thoughts audibly attaches your mind to the subject of your prayer and helps you stay focused on the task at hand.
Another way to stay focused during prayer is to be others-centered. It is our nature to saunter away from that which is very familiar. We get bored so quickly and seek some kind of distraction. If while praying about your own secret affairs and personal wishes you find yourself struggling to concentrate, drop that subject at once and begin praying for others. Imagining your friends – his face, his known struggles, his strained relationships, his laughter, his needs – presents your mind with something tangible on which to work. You begin to remember your times together and can almost see his face, hear his jokes, and feel his pain. It is at this point that you begin to pray earnestly. Your heart begins to throb. Your mind begins to race. Your soul becomes absorbed in the joy of intercession. And, I promise, when you finish praying for all the others, you will find that your mind is prepared to set its affection on your own desires and needs. You may say, “Well what if I never get to my own needs? How can I possibly bear the burden of interceding for others when I am in so much need?” If that is your fear, then be comforted by the fact that the Lord rescued Job out of the pit when he prayed for his friends.
“The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.” (Job 42:10)
I totally agree Wade! =) I needed that reminder, thank you!
I can’t wait for your book!!! ;0)
I’m glad you liked it Emily! Book? I’d have no idea what to write about – that’s the challenge.
yes a book! you have so many blogs that could be put into a book=) or you could have a coffee table devotional based on all of your blogs=) i’d buy it! yay!
Yes, Wade. Great post!
Hi Wade!
Great post! I honestly have ADD and it is never more obvious to me that I do than when I pray. It’s hard to stay focused and to pray out loud when others are there for fear that you might “say something dumb”, but to pray out loud when we are alone…why not? Whatever it takes to get it done! I have noooo problem being that crazy lady talking to herself in the car next to ya! :0)
I know God knows our thoughts and deepest desires. He knows our needs before even we do so one should never worry about getting to your own needs in prayer. Focusing prayers as you say to be “others-centered” has GOT to be a good thing! What better way to stop focusing so much on ourselves and give the one thing we can always give away and bless someone with….our prayers. Even when we have nothing physical to give and our lives are so messed up, focusing on someone else instead of ourselves ALWAYS brings about a blessing you never expected.
Thanks for a great reminder to pray without ceasing….even if I wander into my grocery list and what to watch on TV! :0)
Hi Becki!
A great exercise is to read the prayers of Jesus and Paul. They were so much about other people and the program of God. Writing prayers is also a good practice from time to time. I think the hardest thing for us is to be alone long enough so we can play out loud without creeping people out.