Week Two: Overcoming Distraction During Prayer

When I ask subscribers about their greatest struggles for prayer, I routinely hear about distraction. If we aren’t already struggling with feeling worthy before God, focusing our attention on prayer is extremely difficult. The quotes from our book of the month should prove helpful with their simple advice.

The short version is this: Are you distracted during prayer? Of course you are. Just try again. 

Gene Edwards, author of Divine Romance, has gathered together key writings from three notable Christian mystics from the seventeenth century: 100 Days in the Secret Place: Classic Writings from Madame Guyon, Francois Fenelon, and Michael Molinos on the Deeper Christian Life by Gene Edwards. Here are several quotes to consider today:

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Your imagination may ramble over an infinite number of thoughts, yet, I assure you, the Lord has not left. Continue your perseverance in prayer. Remember that He prays within you, and He prays in spirit and in truth. The distraction of the mind—which is not intended—does not rob the prayer of its fruit.

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Faith and intention are always enough.

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If you should sin (or even if it is only a matter of being distracted by some circumstances around you), what should you do? You must instantly turn within to your spirit.

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Do not become distressed because your mind has wandered away. Always guard yourself from being anxious because of your faults. First of all, such distress only stirs up the soul and distracts you to outward things

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For Reflection