“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” – Mark 1:35 (NLT)
“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” – Psalm 5:3 (NLT)
“My day gets away from me. I can’t find the time to pray consistently.”
I used to say this all the time. And if you’re like me—navigating life with ADHD—you might be saying it too. Between the scattered thoughts, the distractions, and the constant pull of “urgent” over “important,” I felt like prayer was always the first thing to slip off my schedule. Not because I didn’t want to pray, but because I didn’t have a routine that truly worked for how I was wired.
But something changed.
When Desire Overrides Distraction
Even with my inconsistency and struggle to stay on task, something deep inside me was growing—a hunger for more of God. I couldn’t ignore it. It was as if He was gently drawing me closer, inviting me to connect before the world rushed in.
And then it started.
Every morning, my eyes would open—4:00 AM.
Every single day.
Without an alarm.
At first, I brushed it off. But eventually, I decided: Maybe this is my invitation.
That next morning, I got up. I sat on my couch, and I prayed.
It wasn’t long. It wasn’t fancy. Just 5 minutes.
But it was consistent. And it was mine.
Why 4 AM Works (and Why It Might Not Be Your Time)
For me, 4 AM is quiet.
No notifications. No noise. No distractions.
It’s just me, God, and a moment of peace before the whirlwind begins.
This time created space for prayer to come first. It was no longer squeezed into the leftover corners of my day—it defined my day.
But let me say this clearly: your time doesn’t have to be 4 AM. Maybe it’s 6:30 before the kids wake up. Maybe it’s 10 PM when the house is still. The power isn’t in the time—it’s in the choice to show up.
How to Start: Prayer with ADHD Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
If your mind races, if you forget what you were saying mid-prayer, if you feel unqualified or inconsistent—you’re not failing, you’re just human.
Here’s what helped me:
- I started with 5 minutes.
- I didn’t force deep prayers. I just talked to God honestly.
- I kept a journal nearby for wandering thoughts (or to write down prayers).
- I used simple routines to guide me—like the one I created just for you.
If you’ve struggled to stay consistent in prayer, I want you to know: there’s hope. You can find your rhythm. And I’d love to help.
That’s why I created The ADHD-Friendly Prayer Routine: A 5-Minute Daily Guide for Staying Consistent. It’s free, simple, and made especially for women like us—who long to connect with God but need a routine that actually fits.
👉🏽 Click here to download it now and start building your prayer rhythm
Activating & Building Keys:
- Today, I am choosing to make room for God—even in the chaos.
- Take a moment and ask: When am I most at peace?
- Write down the time of day when you’re least likely to be interrupted.
- Set a reminder or prepare your space the night before.
- Start with just 5 minutes. Don’t aim for perfect—aim for present.
Let’s Chat!
- What time of day do you feel most connected to God—and why?
- Have you ever tried waking up early to pray? How did it go?
- What’s been your biggest challenge in creating a consistent prayer routine?
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!
💖Coach Kenya Joy
English
It’s so relatable how life’s chaos often pushes prayer to the sidelines, especially when dealing with ADHD. The struggle to stay consistent can feel overwhelming, but the growth of a deeper hunger for God is truly inspiring. The reminder that inconsistency doesn’t mean failure is both comforting and empowering. Finding a rhythm that works for you is key, and it’s encouraging to know there’s hope. What specific strategies helped you build that rhythm despite the distractions?
Thank you so much for sharing that—it really means a lot. 💛 The struggle is so real when life feels loud and your brain won’t slow down. For me, what made the biggest difference was taking the pressure off. I stopped trying to have long, structured prayer times and just started with 5 minutes—sometimes even just a few sentences. I’d pray while folding laundry, driving, or jotting thoughts in my journal. Little by little, it became a rhythm that felt natural instead of forced. And when I got off track? I reminded myself: progress, not perfection. God always meets us right where we are. 😊
Your post really resonated with me. I’ve also struggled with staying consistent in prayer, especially with a busy and scattered mind. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in feeling this way. Your journey gives me hope that even amidst inconsistency, a deeper connection is possible. I loved how you mentioned God gently drawing you closer—that’s such a beautiful image. I’m curious, what specific strategies have you found most helpful in building a prayer routine that aligns with your ADHD? Your advice could be a game-changer for so many of us in the same boat!
Thank you for your kind words! 💛 I’m so glad the post spoke to you. What really helped me was starting small—just 5 minutes a day with no pressure to have the “perfect” prayer time. I also leaned on written prayers or journaling when my thoughts felt all over the place. And honestly? If I missed a day, I just picked up where I left off—no guilt. That mindset helped lead to 15 years of consistent prayer. God’s been so patient with me, and I’ve learned to be patient with myself too. 😊