It is common to struggle with a wandering mind during prayer. As humans, we think we need to rely on our sheer willpower to keep our mind on our prayers. But relying solely on our own strength means we are missing out on a lot of help and peace we could be getting from Jesus. In this post, get three simple steps to take when your mind wanders during prayer to help you tap into the power of Jesus.
#1 Ask Jesus to guide your thoughts, memories, and imagination.
Do this right when you sit down for your prayer time, but if you forget and you find your mind wandering just ask Jesus for help in the moment you realize it. If your mind wanders again, don’t be afraid to ask Him for help again. It’s not a one-time offer, it’s unlimited help.
Pray: “Jesus, please lead and guide my thoughts, memories and imagination.”
#2 Trust Jesus to answer your prayer
I don’t know about you, but there are times when I throw up a prayer but still cling to control of the situation myself, because I don’t trust Jesus to do what needs to be done. This is human to have doubt and to have a desire to control the situation, but if we ask Jesus for help He WILL help in the way that is best for us. We can trust that.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” (Matthew 7:7-11)
#3 Go with it.
When you are meditating on Scripture and your mind wanders, consider the possibility that you are not wandering. Perhaps Jesus is leading your journey into those thoughts or memories. Maybe there’s a hurt Jesus wants to heal there, or maybe Jesus is trying to show you how the Bible verses that stood out to you in Scripture connect to your life and what Jesus is trying to show you.
If a memory comes to mind while you are praying, especially if you haven’t thought about it in years, consider that it might be Jesus leading you, not your mind wandering.
Don’t shut Jesus out. Ask Him to work and then give Him room to lead and guide your thoughts and memories. You might be amazed what He shows you.
Get more help learning how to cooperate with Jesus and His Holy Spirit in the (free) Holy Spirit Living Workshop starting soon. Find out more or save your spot here: https://alifeofprayerhub.com/
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