Do you struggle to make prayer a daily habit? Does ADHD make it hard for you to focus during prayer time? You’re not alone! Many people with ADHD struggle with maintaining a consistent prayer routine. However, incorporating prayer into your daily life can be a great way to reduce stress, increase mindfulness, and connect with God. In this post, I will share some tips to help you make prayer a daily habit, even if you have ADHD.
The Struggle is Real
The sound of the alarm at 4 am was like hearing nails being dragged across a chalkboard. “Not today, I’m too tired!” was my groan as I threw back the covers. The sound of my husband snoring was enough to make me want to give in to my sleepiness. Gathering myself, I dragged myself to my living room couch. Truthfully, this had been the end of my first month of trying to have a consistent prayer time, and it was still a struggle.
If you’re reading this, chances are you already know how difficult it can be to make prayer a daily habit when you have ADHD. Distractions, racing thoughts, and difficulty focusing can all make it hard to find the time and motivation for prayer. It’s okay to acknowledge that this can be a struggle, but don’t let it discourage you. Instead, try to connect with others who have experienced the same struggle and find inspiration in their success stories.
Call to Action: If you’ve struggled with prayer due to ADHD, share your story in the comments below. Let’s support each other in making prayer a daily habit.
Tips for Making Prayer a Daily Habit
In the last blog post, The Challenges of Praying with ADHD, I listed some tips and techniques that have helped me maintain focus during my time of prayer and bible study. Now, let’s explore some practical tips for incorporating prayer into your daily life:
- Create a prayer space: Designate a specific area in your home as your prayer space. This can be as simple as a small table with a candle or a more elaborate setup with a prayer rug and meditation cushion. I started in my family room and then moved to my living room, where I was more comfortable. On the table next to my couch are my prayer books and a Bible, ready for access.
- Set a specific time: Choose a specific time each day for prayer and try to stick to it as much as possible. Don’t worry about how long and how to pray (these are things we will discuss in upcoming post). Consistency is key when it comes to forming a habit. My initial prayer time started at 4 am for about a year and then to 5 am for several years. Today, my prayer time is midnight, and it has been this way for the last five years.
- Use a prayer journal: As discussed in a previous post, this is one strategy I use every day, and it is my absolute favorite. Writing down your prayers can help you stay focused and reflect on your spiritual journey. It can also serve as a reminder of the things you’re grateful for.
- Listen to calming music: Music can help calm your mind and create a peaceful atmosphere for prayer. Choose music that aligns with your faith or personal beliefs. When it is difficult to center my mind and focus, I listen to soft worship music using my earbuds so I won’t disturb my sleeping family. The worship music set the atmosphere for prayer and studying God’s word.
- Find an accountability partner: Partner with a friend or family member to help keep each other accountable in your prayer journey. This can be a great tool. For me, my mom was my accountability partner. At the beginning of my prayer journey, we would share our experiences daily.
Call to Action: Choose one of the tips above and commit to trying it for one week. Share your progress in the comments below.
Making prayer a daily habit is not easy, especially when you have ADHD. However, with the right tools and mindset, it’s possible to overcome these challenges and connect with God on a deeper level. By creating a prayer space, setting a specific time, using a prayer journal, listening to calming music, and finding an accountability partner, you can establish a consistent prayer routine that works for you. Remember, prayer is a journey, not a destination, so don’t be discouraged if you experience setbacks along the way. Keep pushing forward, and trust that God will guide you on your spiritual path.
Let’s Chat!
- Do you struggle with establishing a consistent prayer routine due to your ADHD?
- What are some of the hurdles you face when trying to incorporate prayer into your daily life?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s build a safe and strong community of support.