Fixing Your Eyes on Jesus

Last week, we talked about clearing the noise—what to do when distractions threaten to pull us away from prayer. But what about when we sit down to pray, longing for peace, only to find ourselves battling distractions instead? Many of us desire to feel calm and connected during prayer, but our minds seem to pull us in a hundred different directions. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) reminds us to “keep our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” This encouragement is key to shifting our focus away from distractions and onto Christ.

The Challenge of Distraction in Prayer

If you’ve ever started praying only to suddenly remember your to-do list, an unfinished task, or a past conversation, you’re not alone. It can be frustrating when our minds don’t settle, and instead of feeling God’s peace, we end up feeling restless and discouraged. But what if instead of fighting distraction, we learned to gently redirect our focus to Jesus?

Replacing Frustration with Peace

Feeling frustrated over distractions can make prayer feel like a losing battle. But prayer isn’t about performance—it’s about relationship. God isn’t expecting you to have a perfectly still mind; He simply desires your heart. Instead of striving for a distraction-free prayer time, focus on continually bringing your attention back to Jesus, no matter how many times your mind wanders.

Practical Ways to Stay Focused in Prayer

Here are a few simple ways to help replace distraction with peace as you pray:

1. Visualize Jesus or a Scripture Passage
   Our brains engage more deeply when we have a visual anchor. Picture Jesus sitting with you as you pray, or imagine a scene from scripture, like Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:39). When your mind starts to wander, bring yourself back by focusing on that image.
2. Pray Out Loud or Write Your Prayers
   Engaging multiple senses can help improve focus. Praying out loud keeps your mind involved in forming words and prevents drifting thoughts. Writing your prayers is another powerful way to stay engaged—plus, it creates a record of your conversations with God that you can reflect on later.
3. Incorporate Worship Music
   Playing soft instrumental worship music in the background can create an atmosphere of peace and help keep your heart and mind centered on God. Music has a way of calming racing thoughts and setting the tone for a more focused and intentional prayer time.
4. Use a Guided Prayer App or Devotional
   If structured prayer helps you stay focused, consider using a guided prayer app or devotional. These tools can provide a framework to follow, making it easier to stay on track.

 One Step at a Time

If you find your thoughts wandering, don’t be discouraged. God isn’t looking for flawless prayers—He values your sincere desire to connect with Him. Every effort to turn back to Him in prayer strengthens your relationship. Be patient with yourself and remember, prayer is a journey, not a performance.

Would you like extra support in growing a focused and consistent prayer life? 

Join my 30-Day Prayer Challenge for Christian Women and receive a free guide to help you build a more structured and intentional prayer time. Sign up today and take your next step in deepening your relationship with God!

[Join the 30-Day Prayer Challenge Here!]

Let’s Chat!

1. What are some of the biggest distractions you face when praying?
2. How do you personally refocus when your mind starts to wander during prayer?
3. Have you tried using worship music to create a peaceful prayer atmosphere? How did it impact your focus?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Let’s build a safe and strong community of support.  I look forward to hearing from you!