Being able to concentrate when I want to pray is often very hard to manage. It would be simple if life provided each of us with a place that is as quiet and peaceful as a church. Our home life, however, seldom allows us that solitude. There are a few tricks that I use to turn off the world and turn on to God.
One very easy way is to begin with a “canned” or pre-written prayer. This can be a bible verse or a prayer from a book or card or a prayer from my childhood or something that I found on the Internet. This prayer sets my mood and helps me to begin my prayer session. This “session” can be as long as half an hour or, more frequently, as short as five minutes. I love it when I can manage a lot of five-minute sessions with God throughout the day versus one longer session. I actually feel closer to him when he’s “with” me off and on all day. Beginning the session with a pre-written prayer sets the tone and encourages my concentration.
Another technique that helps me concentrate is to start with a prayer of thanks. Most of my prayers are prayers of petition - things that I pray God will handle for me. When I begin with prayers of gratitude, I feel better asking him for favors. If I feel better about it, I can concentrate more easily, too.
Distractions are part of daily life. Finding a way to push them aside for a few minutes can be done, if I work on it. Dear Lord, help me to tune out the world when we are talking. Help me to concentrate on you.
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