When You’re Distracted in Prayer

When you're first growing in prayer and developing your relationship with Jesus, it is worth the effort to fight distractions in prayer. The more you can focus on our Lord, the more fruit you can see from prayer, and the deeper a bond you can experience with Jesus.
But, let's be real-distraction is inevitable. It's human. And our brains are hardwired, in some ways, to move on to "the next thing".
The Saints knew this, and there is an "advanced solution" to distraction in prayer-use it in prayer. Today, Fr. Mike tells us how.
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[@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.

[@TradCatMatthew]

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❤

[@noelig4152]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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 ❤❤❤

[@yvonnegill1382]

What I found helpful was to write my prayers.

[@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

[@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

[@yvonnegill1382]

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

[@johannaraisch4051]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 .

[@jackiebusch4626]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@pattiissa9035]

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

[@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. 😀

[@arthurribeiro8506]

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

[@donnapatelmo316]

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

[@lizpuett5777]

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

[@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! :)

[@Bigchilezlife]

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

[@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

[@ViaOjo]

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

[@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."

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@normalopez2856]

Hi Father Mike I pray for you.

[@alfredindy8058]

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

[@bnan6411]

I’m actually crying of laughter on how he describes the distraction with the example of the talent part. 😂😂 I’m in my bed at 1am dying 😂😂😂. So accurate

[@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

[@Msflamingo-wl4qo]

Thank you, Fr. Mike! You got me with fantasy football.🤭 Focus on God!🙏❣️

[@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.

[@mary-ellendurkin163]

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

[@frankk.777]

I love the Catechism quote

[@facilitatinghappiness]

I was just talking about this yesterday.. I feel like I have ADHD prayers. haha

[@maxwellgallardo4473]

Yo I swear I feel the same way 😂😂😂😂😂😂it’s challenging you just got to be gentle and regroup things that happen

[@moneypython997]

Recognizing the distraction in your prayer, and realizing that you need to refocus on God also shows that you truly value the prayer, and your time with God, and are trying your best to refocus on Him.

[@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.

[@hectorcamacho6002]

GRACIAS Father Mike, GOD BLESS YOU👍✌💯

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@Elijah_Al-Naysaburi]

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

[@boom-bm1kl]

Yes

[@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❤

[@anetazatorska6287]

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

[@jacobreed5655]

Thank you Father

[@maria20418]

Thank you father.

[@johnmccarthy7071]

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

[@kentodior478]

Thank You Fr!! ❤

[@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..

[@annmarievalenti9264]

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

[@stephaniegrippo2261]

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

[@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]

🙏👍

[@xrisc131]

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

[@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

[@turbokiwi4838]

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

[@solomonjacob411]

Amen! Thank you Fr. Mike

[@suziepeck5717]

Wow! Yes happens all the time to me. 😮

[@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.

[@dan-ch8kr]

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

[@user-yu7ol6so4i]

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

[@cybreed]

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

[@alexandercruz3796]

Thank you Father Mike for the wonderful advice 🙏🏾❤️

[@erlindaestrellado8184]

Thank You Lord For All Your Blessings Love ❤Amen JMJ Amen 🙏 ❤

[@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.

[@TnOrchidguy]

Thank you, Father, thank you.

[@kimberlysmiley5071]

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😂

[@cindy77277]

Father Mike, thank you for helping me. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@KolokaiKalai]

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

[@brendapereira7479]

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

[@17CW68fNv]

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

[@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.

[@GaragediAntonio177]

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

[@MrDarshD]

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

[@billoyler8041]

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

[@Lizett-gl4pq]

Thank you, Father Mike 🙏🏻

[@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 !!🙏

[@carolynwoolman3068]

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

[@MatthewThirteenFourtyFour]

Brilliant advice, thanks father and thanks ascension and thanks be to God.

[@MariaMunoz-qs5ft]

Simply awesome 👏

[@donnapatelmo316]

Thank you for this video ! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@gailconlon9507]

WOW!! Let’s just CALM down for 30 seconds🙏🙏🙏🏄‍♂️

[@theclapaolini4322]

Father Mike we are all in the same boat and it is a good things because it involves some distractions that need prayers. Calmly. Slowly get back to first base.....I think God enjoys this and knows you try...

[@eduardohoover2127]

Distractions could be an indication that we are praying the wrong type of prayer for ourselves. Contemplative or is it centering prayer deals directly with distractions while listening intently for God to speak. A cue word is used to draw the mind back to listening for God to speak. It is a great discipline to decrease distractions in prayer. I am learning to pray the examine which one asks God for enlightenment, as one would before confession to examine one's conscience except in the examine prayer the illumination is pertaining to the day at its end. Then one gives gratitude to God for the blessing(s) of the day. Then one reflects back upon the day seeing where God was during the day. Then one must face their shortcomings during the day and when that is done one is ready to face the morrow with new insights to become a better Christian saint. The examine is brought to us by St Ignatius and is very powerful for those distacted by life as St Ignatius was when breaking away from his former sordid lifestyle.

[@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.

[@shafur3]

Thank you Father🙏🙏🙏🌹📿

[@ChristinaHope08]

Thank you Father Mike! This is really helpful!

[@lovinthumper]

Greetings from a Catholic from India

[@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 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏