Focused prayer is not unattainable...it just takes some practice and INTENTION to do it. We can all do things we really want to do, and learning to focus during prayer is one of them. So what is prayer, anyway? What is focus?
I like the definition of prayer that says it is communication with God. It's not some recitation of a to-do, or want list, but an exchange with God. Have you ever been talking with someone when they suddenly zone out and you know they are thinking about something else? How often we all do this during prayer....we start off OK then our thoughts suddenly switch to something else. It happens. The thing to do is be aware of this and then immediately switch back to focusing on our conversation with God.
And what is focus? Think about an archer....Focus is true concentration on the 'task' at hand...in this case the task is hitting the mark. If she looks away or loses concentration, someone might get hurt and she certainly will not hit her mark. If we concentrate on talking with our God during prayer like an archer focuses on their mark, just think how much we will grow in our walk with God. And That, is what I believe to be the main objective of prayer...not the gaining of things, or even the answers we seek to our prayers, but finding a closer, deeper, richer relationship with God....reaching higher and allowing God to live more fully in our lives, so God receives the honor and glory.
So, today as you pray, when you find your thoughts wandering, bring them back and keep your eye on the mark....the bull's eye...focused prayer.
I've changed the address of this blog, and thus its intent, to focused prayer. This is for Christians and others who are tired of feeling their prayers are rote, or that they are just saying words into the air. Prayer is so much more than that. Getting into a place where you can focus your mind and heart, cast away inteferences and really connect with God is vital to effective and powerful prayer.
I've learned the 'tips' that I'm sharing by many years of experience. They work.
When you are praying in church or at home, are you actually also thinking about your shopping list, where you will have Sunday dinner, or any number of other things unrelated to the words you are saying? Most people would agree this is exactly what happens. When we are 'supposed' to be addressing the God of heaven and earth, we are actually thinking of other things....how effective are those prayers? Yes, God knows the thoughts and prayers of our heart, but prayer is so much more than just asking God for things. God is not Santa Claus, or the Wizard of Oz, or even Dr Oz.
In the posts to follow, I will share specific tips you can do...simple and easy-to-follow, that will help your prayer time, your communications with God, enliven your life, put new spark into your faith, and help change your life for God's glory.
