Intentional Prayer: How to Pray with Purpose and Clarity

Last week, we talked about fixing our eyes on Jesus when distractions threaten to pull us away from prayer. This week, we’re building on that by talking about intentional prayer—how to pray with purpose and clarity.

For the past three years, my life’s theme has been “Be Intentional.” Now, I won’t pretend I’ve mastered it, but it’s something I strive for daily. Being intentional is about doing things on purpose for a purpose—being mindful about what we do and ensuring it bears positive fruit.

Prayer is no different. Intentional prayer is about coming before God with focus, purpose, and expectation.

What is Intentional Prayer?

Intentional prayer is simply praying with clarity and purpose. James 5:16 (NLT) tells us, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Notice the word earnest—it suggests a deep, purposeful, and focused approach to prayer.

That doesn’t mean every prayer has to be filled with elaborate words or lengthy requests. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:7-8 (NLT), “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”

Intentional prayer isn’t about saying more words—it’s about praying with meaning and focus. It’s about having a conversation with God that is purposeful and from the heart.

The Challenge: Staying Focused in Prayer

If you have ADHD, you know how challenging it can be to stay focused during prayer. One minute you’re praying for a friend’s healing, and the next, you’re thinking about what to cook for dinner. Before you know it, you’ve lost track of where you were, and frustration sets in. Maybe you even cut your prayer short because it feels ineffective.

I get it. I’ve been there. And I’ve learned that being intentional in prayer helps me stay present and engaged.

Here are some strategies that can help:

1. Create a Prayer List or Categorize Your Prayers

One way to stay focused is by organizing your prayers. Instead of coming to God with a scattered mind, try structuring your prayers into categories:

• Gratitude: Thank God for what He’s already done.
• Requests: Lift up personal needs, concerns, and intercessions for others.
• Worship: Spend time simply adoring God for who He is.
• Confession: Ask for forgiveness and reflect on areas of growth.
• Listening: Be still and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you.

This structure doesn’t have to be rigid—it’s simply a tool to help bring clarity and intention to your prayer time.

2. Set Clear Goals for Your Prayer Time

If you feel lost or repetitive in your prayers, try setting a goal. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to focus on in this prayer time?
• Is there a specific area where I need to grow?
• Do I need wisdom or clarity on something?

Having a focus helps eliminate that aimless, distracted feeling. Your prayer time could be devoted to one key request or area of personal growth.

3. Incorporate Scripture into Your Prayers

One of the most powerful ways to stay engaged in prayer is by using God’s Word.

For example, if you’re struggling with anxiety, you could pray: “Lord, Your Word says in Philippians 4:6-7 not to worry about anything but to pray about everything. Right now, I surrender my anxiety to You and ask for Your peace that surpasses all understanding.”

Praying scripture keeps your mind focused and aligns your prayers with God’s truth.

Finding What Works for You

ADHD brings unique challenges when it comes to prayer, so it’s important to find what works best for you. Over the years, I’ve learned to incorporate different strategies to stay engaged:

• Prayer Walks: Talking to God while walking on a treadmill or outside.
• Worship-Based Prayer: Letting worship music lead my heart into prayer.
• Guided or Written Prayers: Using pre-written prayers when I struggle to find the words.

The how and when don’t matter as much as your heart posture toward God. He isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for connection.

Ready to Strengthen Your Prayer Life?

If you want to go deeper in your prayer journey, I invite you to join my 30-Day Prayer Challenge for Christian Women. This free guide will help you pray with focus, purpose, and confidence every day. When you sign up for my email list, you’ll receive this resource to support and encourage you in your prayer life.

[Click here to join the challenge!]

Let’s be intentional in our prayers and trust that God hears us, loves us, and is moving on our behalf.

Let’s Chat!

1. What challenges do you face when trying to stay focused during prayer?
2. How do you currently structure your prayer time, and what has worked best for you?
3. Have you ever tried using a prayer list or categories in your prayers? If so, how has it helped?

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!