When You’re Distracted in Prayer

[@annbyrne6012]

Padre Pio said if you get distracted during prayer, not to restart the prayer, something I used to do, but just refocus and continue, it helped me. God bless you Father from Ireland 🇮🇪 🙏

[@patmendell381]

But I usually forget where I was…🤔

[@AlexanderBrown77]

@@patmendell381♥️ Acts 20 kJV 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

[@Snezanah]

One woman complained that she was so absent-minded while praying. To this father (Pio) replied: "You may not be scattered voluntarily, but if you are absent-minded and continue to pray quietly, you have great merit, for Our Lord knows that it is not an angel who prays to him, but a poor human child. Keep praying."

[@seanmcelroy9774]

Exact same thing here for me. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m distracted but as soon as I do I try to refocus.

[@TradMatthew]

PRAYING

[@BogoGog24]

I find myself getting distracted in prayer all the time and just simply say “I’m sorry God, I got distracted. Sorry this prayer is a mess but I’m trying.” And I might even ask Him to help me focus if I’m struggling really badly. God appreciates our efforts to try to pray to Him no matter how meager they might be and He most of all appreciates our humility and honesty to bring our struggles to Him so He can help us (He already knows we have them so you might as well be upfront with Him about them and ask for His help)

[@01happykat]

Same. But something Fr. Mike said in another video really helped me: "Nothing is ever wasted on God." God appreciates our effort to spend time with him, even when we think we've screwed up. :)

[@heathsavage4852]

I do the same. Especially at night prayer before I sleep, when I am most prone to drift off on a tangent.

[@davidzauhar6813]

I do that, too. Starting tomorrow morning, that is.

[@anthonyroyka3948]

Excellent!

[@tuanpenh]

​@@01happykato

[@patmendell381]

I added “Deliver me from my wandering mind” to the litany of Jesus.❤

[@Yasmin_ferns]

Great.I will do that too❤

[@Snezanah]

One woman complained that she was so absent-minded while praying. To this father (Pio) replied: "You may not be scattered voluntarily, but if you are absent-minded and continue to pray quietly(translation is I think calmly), you have great merit, for Our Lord knows that it is not an angel who prays to him, but a poor human child. Keep praying."

[@lizpuett5777]

I read somewhere that falling asleep, during prayer, is okay. Because we would always rest safely in our Father's arms.

[@macdan22]

Seriously, how does Fr. Mike do it? Last 5 Sunday homilies are dead on point for things that are bothering me and I've been struggling to remain undistracted in my prayers....he drops this. Thanks again Fr. Mike and Ascension Presents.

[@HenryFeldman]

A remind of God’s presence in our lives! God Bless you!

[@videonmode8649]

This topic of distraction during prayer was plaguing my mind today and this seems like a God send, lol

[@jillp9016]

Right?! Always on point! Hallelujah! Thanks be to God! 🙏❤️

[@cecilecoonrod4146]

I’m doing the Bible in a Year again this year and these were recorded over two years ago and yet Fr. Mike is frequently bang-on in his commentary to what is going on in my life.

[@digitalcontent6218]

Holy Spirit guiding him for each one of us.

[@birdman1325]

Distractions reveal attachments. Perfectly summarized. And another lesson delivered to me at the right time.

[@claudialis406]

This used to happen to me a lot whenever I went to Adoration. But, ever since I began to ask Jesus to look at the thought and to heal the wound that it is coming from, it has lessened greatly. And ask Our Mother of good counsel to pray for us.

[@briannairn4608]

Thank you

[@noelig4152]

When I realize I'm distracted, I pray for the person or event I was thinking about.

[@jawz5709]

To think this is normal! Mind blowing... But now I know I'm not alone, and I can work on slowly focusing back to the center. Thank you, Fr. Mike

[@blujeans9462]

Excellent topic and something that I struggle with. However, looking deeper - I ask myself how come my brain is tack sharp focus when I waste time playing games on my phone - but can't give my Savior the same courtesy for 20 minutes.

[@yvonnegill1382]

What I found helpful was to write my prayers.

[@aumoreno6117]

That's the best one, I also write and read my prayers so I'll be in focus on my prayer while reading it.

[@user-kg1zv5xb1m]

Father!!!! You described how it happens PERFECTLY!! Thank you for being you✝️🙏🏻🌹

[@AlexanderBrown77]

Acts 20 kJV 🩸 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. ✝️🩸 1 Corinthians 15 kJV 1-4

[@lois2997]

Ok troll. Get a life @@AlexanderBrown77

[@melodystarad084]

What distracts us must be what's "deep in our hearts..what the Lord wants to talk about with you"...This sounds so sweet to me ❤❤❤

[@lemancitriton260]

I always keep getting distracted in prayer. If it's not external noise, it's the noise inside my own self. Thank you for helping me to find a new way to deal with it so that it strengthens my prayers instead of weakening them. God bless you, and I pray He guides you with more advice to share with us. Amen.

[@taraelizabethdensley9475]

I've even got distracted by the noises my stomach makes, it can be so loud 😂

[@lemancitriton260]

@@taraelizabethdensley9475 same lol

[@jackiebusch4626]

I offer up all my distractions as I pray today as a prayer and place it at the foot of the Cross.

[@paulamoe2699]

Happens to me, but, I just keep going in my prayers. I ask God for forgive me, but I refuse to stop for a random thought.

[@arthurribeiro8506]

Again. Ascension Presents always posting the one video I’m needing without even asking what is hurting me.

[@yvettelopez9202]

Thanks Father Mike . I’m always having trouble with this . I read that St.Therese had this trouble too . I ask Our Blessed Mother for her help .

[@AbbyElizabeth03]

I LOVE this. I’m super hard on myself when I lose focus on prayer. I tend to get angry that I can’t just sit with God and focus. I’ve been getting better. Taking deep breaths. When I catch myself I usually say “Okay, Jesus.” Just reminding myself o his presence, remembering what I want to say with him. Open my ears to hear.

[@yvonnegill1382]

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication prayers. ACTS. ❤

[@Work1963]

I am not Catholic but I think God loves us all. I love to listen to your instruction. This was what I needed to hear as I find my mind wandering during prayer. Bless you!

[@patmalikebu2970]

Thank you Fr Mike. A priest once told me in the same lines when I went for confession, it was like a load taken off my heart. Thank you Lord. Bless our priests, give us more priests who are striving for their own holiness and that of the laity.

[@discostu5426]

The Good Lord knows what's in your heart. I struggle with this and often find myself apologizing to God for being so random and all over the place in prayer. I trust God knows what I'm truly trying to convey, even though it's not the most eloquent many times. 😀

[@IranleiToscano]

Thank you, Father Mike, for this precious advice. I´m facing this very issue when praying the rosary.

[@lizglibert4255]

I do all the time but thank you for showing me the way.amen

[@seeker2219]

I feel myself being pulled towards catholisism, a religion i'v been extremely sceptical towards for many years. These days i just find answers to any question i have while not even looking. And i cannot stop learning about catholics beliefs and lifestyles. The spirit truly are the best of guides and the journeys are allways amazing. Praise be to the most high..

[@elviragutierrez8396]

I just started going to Catechism Classes. I started out Catholic, but since my best friend was another religion, I went to her church. I truly want to know all about Catholicism, and the classes are great. I think it takes a year to get through the classes, but I love it every time I go. 🙏

[@seeker2219]

@@elviragutierrez8396 it was a good time for me learning about catholicism. but the Lord guided me to Orthodoxy. i am today looking for a church to enter in a nation with alomost none. But Orthodoxy had everything i ever longed for. I wish you all the best with your endevours. God bless and peace be with you.

[@pattiissa9035]

I love OUR CHURCH for giving us SOOOOOOOO many ways to talk to God in prayer 🙏🏻 😊❤✝️🛐😇💐

[@gsus4eternity112]

That’s why we need priest like a mechanic for our cars. Thank you Holy Spirit for blessing us with Fr. Mike and thousands others out there.

[@heathsavage4852]

I have ADD...this is for me!

[@cecilecoonrod4146]

I wondered if I’d find a fellow ADHD in the comments!! I’ve been refocusing my thoughts my entire life. What I’m really curious to find out is if those thoughts reveal anything about myself of if they are truly random!! Thank you for posting.

[@WillowWhispers]

Wow, I thought I was the only person this happens to. Sometimes, when I'm praying and trying to talk to God, my distractions (mostly nonsensical), muddle my brain so much that I don't even know what I'm trying to say to Him. I just hope He understands.

[@lizglibert4255]

Bless.I get muddled up and forgot what I was thinking and praying .thank you be bless all amen

[@ViaOjo]

THANK YOU!!! IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR VIDEOS ON THIS FOR TWO WEEKS!!! I WAS ABOUT TO THINK THAT I WAS POSSESSED!!!

[@alfredindy8058]

Great video! I hear people complain about distractions most often praying the Rosary during the middle part of the decade.

[@GravInducedSleepTrac]

LoL! This was a good talk father Mike but it also made me laugh so much. It is very true. It is easy to get distracted but I do try to ask my guardian angel to assist me to get rid of distractions. Thank you for being a good & faithful shepherd Fr. Mike! :)

[@donnapatelmo316]

I get distracted while doing the rosary at night ! I love the rosary 📿

[@NM-tl6pe]

As someone who is new to all this, it is very frustrating to get so easily distracted.

[@briannall6232]

As someone who has been doing this for awhile, it's frustrating. Chuckling...... God Bless❤

[@Mary_O]

I didn't realize it's normal for everyone to be constantly distracted. I really think I have undiagnosed ADD. My distraction is the reason I quit praying years ago. I felt I was not able to give God my full attention, and that, to me, was shameful. I actually feel some relief. Thanks, Father.

[@Bigchilezlife]

The devil distracts me during holy mass or anything that gets me close to God but I always preserve in prayer

[@johannaraisch4051]

Thank you Fr Mike. I’ve been beating myself over this. 😂

[@angrypotato_fz]

When I attend my distractions, I often find that I know where they come from and what's their reason, but I feel unable to eliminate their source - stress, anxieties, loneliness, government, job, health, etc. Some things are "just" difficult and require a lot of time and effort, but some are out of my reach. I hear no answer when I ask for help to solve these matters, so for now I try to accept that these distractions will stay and I hope even this messy, confused prayer has some value for God - and ask Him to receive it.

[@turbokiwi4838]

Thank you, this came at a helpful time. God bless, Fr Mike!

[@cathyhannahperez]

I start my bedtime prayers when I start washing up before my shower, continue praying in the shower & then continue to pray as I prep for bed & end my prayers right before I lay down. Heehee. Takes about 30-45mins.

[@josephinebrown320]

When saying the Rosary I humbly ask our Lady to please accept my distraction as a prayer and it helps .

[@davidkorzelius6039]

Crazy that I had been thinking about this very thing in this morning’s prayer and here your video pops up discussing it 4 hours later. Thank you Father.

[@magicalwishes7715]

Father Mike I love your teaching thank you so much I learned a lot from you God bless you God be with you I pray for you pray for me and my family father Mike thank you so much

[@sierraspoolparty7501]

I really liked this. I tend to sometimes get distracted whenever I go to a Holy Hour and get myself back on track, peacefully and all that. I never considered asking God to give me insight into WHY I'm thinking about these things. Next time I'll try it and hopefully I'll receive something good.

[@mary-ellendurkin163]

When distraction happens to me while praying, I simply say I reject these thoughts. It works.

[@donnapatelmo316]

What i find helpful is to read my prayers and talk to God i just have a conversations with him i know he listens to me i even get my answers from him 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@duffripley2440]

Thank you Father 5:11 My focus has been on work and worry. I (right now,with the Blessed Mother Mary’s help) give it to The Most High!!!

[@anetazatorska6287]

Thank you Father Mike. I love your way of preaching. Best from Poland.

[@amymargaretabigail]

Haha America’s got talent. You’re a mind reader, Fr Mike. Oh my gosh I totally overcorrect in prayer… thank you for this much needed reminder!

[@sinnetradsouza870]

Yes. I, we are distracted at time of Prayer. Phone call or some important work, etc...AMEN.❤🙏

[@sinnetradsouza870]

THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.🥰👍

[@sinnetradsouza870]

🙏👍

[@normalopez2856]

Hi Father Mike I pray for you.

[@johnmccarthy7071]

Thank you Fr. Mike. Excellent advice and guidance. 🙏🏻

[@lukasandisaaktime9147]

I yell: "STOP" and then just continue prayer - so far it is working.

[@marilynrausch3370]

A lesson from KZbin: As I am listening to this beautiful reflection on distraction, KZbin inserted an ad about a totally unrelated topic. It distracted me from Fr. Mike's words. I had to come to the computer and intentionally "skip" the ad to return to the topic at hand (distraction). Afterword, that made me focus more on what Father was saying... exactly the message!

[@frankk.777]

I love the Catechism quote

[@cybreed]

for distraction reveals to us what we are attached to... so true...

[@annmarievalenti9264]

I needed this now. Thank you Fr. Mike 🙏🏻

[@stephaniegrippo2261]

Thank you Fr. Mike! I’m not failing in prayer when I get distracted. 🤯

[@cathyblahnik203]

Thank you Father Mike, that really helps me, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who gets distracted, I think your advice is really good. God Bless you

[@AP-qk3we]

Fr Mike you are such a blessing to the Church. Love your insights. They are really helpful. 🙏🏽

[@dan-ch8kr]

"distraction reveals what we're attached to" wow! thank you for speaking on this topic Fr. Mike 😁🤍

[@JayRedding12_12]

I get very distracted in prayer and reading. Lately I binge on Fr. Mike's Bible in a Year, but I follow along in my Bible and when I pray I use Divine Office app and follow along with the book. For me this really helps with distractions. But I see what Fr. Mike is saying. This is a good point.

[@GerardoLias]

¡Gracias!

[@ruthortega5822]

It's good to know that I am not the only one who gets distracted. I feel guilty when it happens. I usually ask the Holy Spirit to be with me before I start praying. Good to hear Father Mike's analogy on this.

[@hectorcamacho6002]

GRACIAS Father Mike, GOD BLESS YOU👍✌💯

[@lovinthumper]

Greetings from a Catholic from India

[@kentodior478]

Thank You Fr!! ❤

[@carlz7777]

The fact that three (3) different people sent this to me is indicative that it is a common problem, so Thank You Fr. Mike!!

[@Elijah_Al-Naysaburi]

May God reward you with goodness and provide you with goodness without expectation, Amen⚘️💕

[@xrisc131]

Thank you Fr. Mike… now I’m gonna hear Paul Potts singing Nessun Dorma for the next week.

[@AnomousAnomously-u3j]

Thank you for the prayer I loved it preched the gospel Remember God Loved us all🙏❤️

[@MrDarshD]

Thank you, Fr Mike! Let's all care about God so much that we only think about Him while ptaying

[@17CW68fNv]

Thank you, Fr Mike, for this talk. Good advice. Praying for you, and all here. God Bless. Claire.

[@ireneflash7977]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I thought I was the only one that got distracted. I didn’t know it was a normal thing to do, I thought I was being weak and letting the the evil do this. Praise the Lord I found you I really needed to hear this !!🙏

[@billoyler8041]

You hit the nail on the head. Your the best Father Mike !!!

[@brenda.pereira24]

So helpful so helpful. Thank you so much Father Mike.

[@carolynwoolman3068]

I am not Catholic but I found your words so incredibly helpful and eye opening. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@ChristinaHope08]

Thank you Father Mike! This is really helpful!

[@alainatempelis7516]

Praying feels either like nothing or bitterness but I know my Lord wants me to persevere especially in praying the rosary. It’s so hard when some of my friends talk about how wonderful praying feels and is to them. But that used to be me receiving what felt like a fountain of living water. I know He's purifying my soul

[@ivonnemedrano8937]

This is very good and helpful. Thanks Father Mike God bless you and yes distractions happen to everyone just don’t let these distractions lead you away from God permanently.

[@suziepeck5717]

Wow! Yes happens all the time to me. 😮

[@Nunwannabe1234]

Thank you Father Mike. I'm glad to hear that. I'm not the only one that has trouble focusing, even when I want to very much. It's funny that my thought during the reading about the talents is I wish I had talent😂

[@donnapatelmo316]

Thank you for this video ! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@alexandercruz3796]

Thank you Father Mike for the wonderful advice 🙏🏾❤️

[@GaragediAntonio177]

Thank you father! I have always struggled with distractions and getting rid of them.

[@lorettazsido7257]

Thank you, Father, Thank you, Father I thought there was something wrong with me or the Devil trying to distract me. thank you Father.

[@DistinctiveThinking]

A great tip is to always have a pen and pad close to where you are when you pray or read the Bible. When a thought comes to my mind that distracts me like, don't forget to stop at store or did I turn dryer on or ect.... I calmly just write it down, say thank you Jesus and keep going. By the end of prayer time or reading, i have my list of things to do already done. The distractions get less and less over time, and even if they do not, God knows our hearts and motives. Just pray from the heart with intent and sincerity, in the Name of Jesus Christ. He will bless your effort. ❤🙏

[@mph1ish]

I offer up my distractions as a suffering for God to use for the greater good.

[@padmeasmr]

I learned that our body still prays, even if the mind is distracted.

[@vanillafoodie]

Thank you for this! It really helps open up my eyes to see it in a new way instead of a method of me just bringing myself down for being distracted at the wrong moment, I never thought of it as you had described, the distraction keeps popping in my thoughts is because I care about it, maybe God does want me to bring that in my prayer, I guess I will do it from now on, I am still learning how to talk to God and wondered if I am just praying so badly for Him but this has helped me see things differently now and I am more excited to talk to God about it now, so thank you Fr. Mike, God bless you and everyone here!

[@iwwest8878]

Thank you Father Mike. This is really helpful. Now I know what to do and that I'm not the odd one out.

[@margaretquigley2289]

8:00 Thank you Father Mike, your reflections have helped me

[@solomonjacob411]

Amen! Thank you Fr. Mike

[@KolokaiKalai]

Fr.Mike...Generally what happens with me...am often distracted in praying 🙏 Thankyou Fr.Mike..you are amazing and the best...

[@maryeleazer3169]

I often call on my guardian Angel to bring me back ❤🙏🏼

[@jacobreed5655]

Thank you Father

[@imagenes12]

Thanks Fr Mike. I really needed to hear this today. May the Lord bless you always 🙏🏽

[@markkristynichols845]

See, thank God there is the REWIND option, as I’m getting distracted while watching 😂. Appreciate and love y’all at Ascension Presents, Kristy in Missouri 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏

[@shariboyle1166]

I needed this! Ty Fr. Mike. 🙏🏼