How to Stay Focused in Prayer: Prayer Tips

by Ginger Harrington | Listening to God, Quiet Time | 20 comments

Concentration can be hard to develop in prayer, but our relationship with God grows deeper as we learn to pray with an attentive heart. Learn how to pray with prayer tips to help you focus in prayer.

Do you struggle to stay focused during prayer? You’re not alone—and it’s one of the most common challenges in our spiritual lives. This post originally explored that struggle, and now we’re going even deeper in a new episode of the Habits of Hope Podcast. In Part 1 of our Developing Greater Focus in Prayer series, we share biblical encouragement, practical habits, and Spirit-led strategies to help you overcome distractions and grow closer to God through focused prayer. Listen below!

Maybe you’ve experienced a conversation that went something like this:

Did I tell you about what happened yesterday, I asked my teenaged daughter. Texting a friend, she replied with a nod, Hmm…did you say something?

It wasn’t a stretch to realize that I didn’t have her full attention.

Somehow I expected to hear some sort of related response as part of the conversation, but my girl moved on to talk about something completely different.

Mom, can I borrow the car tonight?

Our distracted thoughts can keep us from focusing in prayer.

Prayer is a conversation with God.

One of the most important tips to remember about focusing in prayer is that you are having a conversation with God. How often do I talk with God like my conversation with my daughter? Half listening as I flit from one concern to another? My daughter shifted straight to her request rather than joining the conversation. I find it easier to pray corral wandering thoughts when I think of prayer as a conversation rather than a monologue. Any good conversation involves both listening and speaking. This prayer tip helps me focus when I pray.

Relationship is the heart of prayer.

Prayer is a conversation that is rooted in love. Embracing the truth that God loves you can change your motivation and focus when you pray. This prayer tip helps us focus when we pray. Oswald Chambers penned these words on prayer and relationship:

“We look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself” (My Utmost for His Highest, August 28).

Talking with someone we love is one of the deep delights in life. Approaching prayer from the foundation of our relationship with God inspires deeper attentiveness. Author Jan Johnson reminds us that “When we shift to a relational approach to life with God, prayer becomes a place of meeting God” (When the Soul Listens).

Approaching prayer from the foundation of our relationship with God inspires deeper attentiveness. #prayer Share on X

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with relationship:

“Our Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).

Particularly in prayer for the needs and challenges that weigh heavy on my heart or rise from hurt in my soul, trusting my Father infuses my thoughts.

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).

These prayer tips impact my prayer in a profound way. More and more, the relationship of God as my good Father infuses my awareness as I pray.

Don’t worry about having the right words to pray.

As we learn how to pray, it is important to let go of any pressure to have the right words to pray. When we remember prayer is a conversation that flows from relationship, we can simply share our thoughts. When we express the thoughts, emotions, and concerns in our heart, focus is enhanced because we aren’t distracted by searching for words that sound good, important, or religious. This is particularly an issue when praying aloud in a group. I can remember being so worried about what I was going to pray that I didn’t hear much of what others prayed. How does this prayer tip set your heart at ease today?

God knows our heart and understands everything about us.

“You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, Lord, You know it all.
You have encircled me behind and in front,
And placed Your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:3-5).

Since God already knows what’s on your mind, you can stop worrying about how you sound when you pray. The important thing is to pray.

And here’s one more thought that comes to mind. Because God understands you inside and out, He also understands your struggle to focus. He’s with you in it all, so when you catch your attention wandering, circle back to finish your conversation with God.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray.

The very best place to start in developing greater focus in prayer is to ask for help. In fact, this is the Habit of Hope for Episode 32 on developing prayer focus and clarity. Another prayer tip is to trust the Holy Spirit to help, guide, and teach you more about prayer. Again, I’ll refer to the disciples asking Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” Jesus responded with instruction and parables to help them come to a deeper understanding of prayer. Clearly, Jesus was glad to help them learn to pray (Luke 11:1-11).

One of the blessed roles of the Spirit is to be our helper (John 14:25-27). God understands that we often do not know how to pray as we should. Our struggles with focus relate to this challenge. The Spirit can guide the content of our prayers, as well as assist with motivation and concentration. At times, the Spirit even prays for us: “Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

When we struggle with focus, how often do we skip the simple step of asking the Spirit for help?

Begin with worship music.

We often think of prayer in terms of words. Language is primarily a function of the left side of the brain. Music has the power to incorporate both sides of the brain which can help with focus, creativity, and processing. Make a play list of favorite worship songs that inspire praise, prayer, and worship. When emotions weigh heavy, music has a way of touching our emotions which can help us move beyond distraction to the deep concerns of our heart. In the comments, share your favorite worship songs. I’d love to add more great songs to my playlist on Spotify.

Pray God’s Word.

Specific Scriptures can give our prayer a focal point. When it is hard to settle our thoughts, praying God’s Word brings clarity to prayer. It can also give us language to pray when words aren’t coming easily.

Praying a verse provides a starting point in our conversation with God.
God’s Word is like rails, keeping the train of our thoughts on track.
Biblical passages can provide content, ideas, patterns to inspire prayer.

When it is hard to settle our thoughts, praying God's Word brings clarity to prayer. #prayerfocus Share on X

Pray out loud.

Another simple way to focus in prayer is to pray aloud. Praying aloud keeps us physically engaged. It also involves the auditory system, the mind, and the heart which increases concentration. In addition, verbal prayer is helpful when we feel sleepy. Time alone in the car is a great time to pray aloud. It is much easier to overcome distraction when we can hear ourselves pray.

Get moving.

When prayer feels like a battle with the noise in your head, try taking a prayer walk. Rhythmic physical movement like walking or running can aid attention. One of the many benefits of physical exercise is the increase of brain chemicals that impact focus and concentration.

Walking, running, and swimming are all great options for adding prayer to your movement. Even housecleaning or gardening can be good times to combine movement with focused prayer.

Biblical meditation deepens prayer.

Meditating on God’s Word increases focus in prayer. We can learn so much about how to pray when we reflect on Scripture.

Prayer and Bible reading are two primary ways we experience a deepening relationship with God. A. W. Tozer wrote about the importance of deep focus on God:

“For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth. The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts.”

If we do all the talking when we pray, we will miss what God has to say. Prayerful Bible reading slows us down to receive and reflect on God’s Words to our hearts. Meditation helps us concentrate on the listening side of prayer.

Focus by staying on the same subject with God.

Hearing from God through the Holy Spirit begins to engage our minds, drawing our attention to particular concepts.

Open to what the Holy Spirit has to say, we slow down and let the words sink in. Once we pick up on what God draws our attention to, we can choose to continue the conversation.

When we read Scripture and pray, we need to learn to stay on the same subject with God—to respond to what He has said, rather than changing the subject and praying about something else—stay on topic so you can hear all that God has to say.

This morning I am reading John 16:13-14:

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

What do I too often do?

Great verse, Lord. Thanks for guiding me…

And then I whip out my laundry list of prayer requests. While God invites us to share our concerns, prayer is much broader and deeper than seeking solutions for problems or provision for needs.

God is gracious when we gloss over truths He brings to our attention…but consider what we miss by not staying on topic with what God is bringing to our attention? When we struggle to focus in prayer, God’s Words go in one ear and right out the other with barely a stop in the grey matter between.

Meditating on Scripture, focusing in prayer, and listening to God are intrinsically linked. As we listen more fully to what God reveals, we continue the conversation with responsive prayer.

Write it down.

When attention wanders, try writing down your prayer or insights revealed through your meditation on God’s Word. Sometimes I write my prayers in my journal.

Writing helps develop thoughts, keeping distracting thoughts at bay.
Write the verse that stands out to you.
Write down key thoughts from your meditation.

Ask God questions.

Prayerful conversation with God continues when we bring our questions to God. Here are few questions that have been helpful for me:

What do want me to know about this?
Will you help me to understand on a deeper level?
What in my life most needs this truth right now?

As you can see, learning to focus in prayer is a process that takes time and practice. The very best way to develop concentration in prayer is to pray. Be patient with yourself in the process and realize that some days will be better than others. I hope these prayer tips and truths will help learn how to pray with less distraction and a more meaningful time in prayer.

Show Notes:How to Cultivate Prayer Habits for Deeper Focus and Clarity

Ever sit down to pray and find yourself thinking about your to-do list, yesterday’s conversation, or what’s for dinner? You’re not alone. In this first episode of our two-part series on developing greater focus in prayer, we’re diving deep into why we struggle with distraction and how the Holy Spirit can help us stay present with God. You’ll walk away with practical strategies, biblical encouragement, and new habits that help you turn down the noise and tune your heart to the One who listens.

Habit of Hope: Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you pray with greater focus.

Key Takeaways:

Why distraction in prayer is normal—and how to stop letting it derail your time with God
The role of the Holy Spirit in helping us stay present and centered
Simple, grace-filled habits to refocus your mind when it wanders
How to recognize and redirect internal or external distractions
Encouragement for anyone who feels defeated or guilty about their prayer life

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I invite You into the time of prayer. Help me to stay present and focused on God. Lead my thoughts and words according to Your will.

Memorable Quotes:
“If we only prayed when we felt focused, we’d rarely pray at all.”

“It’s so common to get distracted. You are not the only one.”

“We’re talking about a grace-filled approach to prayer, not a guilt-driven one.”

“The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness—even our distractedness.”

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
This episode re-centers your heart on the truth: prayer isn’t about performance, it’s about presence. You’ll walk away reminded that the Holy Spirit is already helping you—even when you don’t know what to say. You’ll learn simple tools to refocus your mind, deepen your connection with God, and create prayer rhythms that work in real life.

Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more tips on prayer, check out the prayer chapter in my book, Holy in the Moment.

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20 Comments

L R Jensen on September 3, 2014 at 10:41 am

Wow I had honestly not thought of it that way before, but it is true! Thank you for putting it that way. I hate to say I don’t just do that with God too. What blessings come our way when we slow down and take time to listen. So glad I read this today 🙂 God bless!
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 3, 2014 at 1:53 pm
  
  I’m so glad God knows us inside and out–and understands that we struggle to focus. Thanks so much for sharing today!
  Reply
Kirsten on September 3, 2014 at 12:45 pm

I do this all the time and I know I do it and can’t ever seem to make myself completely stop. It’s harder than ever now, with two kids, a full-time job, and trying to earn extra money. My mind is always flitting to what’s next. But there is so much peace and comfort in a good conversation with God (a two-sided one) that I’d be much better off focusing. What a great reminder for me today,
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 3, 2014 at 1:52 pm
  
  I know! I pretty sure I have a squirrel in my brain. For me, writing it down helps me stay focused. And know that he always knows what is in our hearts–we’re the ones who benefit from staying focused;)
  Reply
Karen Brown on September 3, 2014 at 3:31 pm

Oh…. this is so good, Ginger. Pride rears its ugly head even when we read Scripture or pray. It takes humility to read hoping to be changed, and to listen for guidance or conviction while praying. Thanks for this beautifully written reminder. I needed it today.
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 3, 2014 at 3:42 pm
  
  I write from the reminders God is working into my limited brain. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get it the first time? Thanks for commenting today, Karen. Many blessings!
  Reply
Joanne Viola on September 4, 2014 at 8:31 am

Wonderful post! I loved the quote by AW Tozer. Writing that one down in my journal to think on for a bit 🙂 Visiting from Thought Provoking Thurs. Blessings!
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 4, 2014 at 3:35 pm
  
  God gifted AW Tozer with such clear thinking and insight. I’m still chewing on that quote myself. Thanks for visiting today.
  Reply
Ingrid Lochamire on September 4, 2014 at 8:55 am

Thank you for this gentle reminder, Ginger. I do the same thing — read the verses, thank God for the message and get down to the business of supplication. Then there are days — like yesterday — when He leads me to scripture that brings clarity to the very prayers that we on my list! God is good and He is faithful. I’m so glad to have stopped over here from Thought Provoking Thursdays. God Bless!!
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 4, 2014 at 3:34 pm
  
  Yes, God is not fooled by our games and He isn’t frustrated with our weaknesses. Enjoyed your post today. Thanks for stopping by!
  Reply
~Karrilee~ on September 4, 2014 at 12:36 pm

LOVED this! Funny (or not!) – God has been speaking to me about the same thing! Waiting in Silence… not rushing ahead on to something new! Stopping by from Holley’s place today!
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 4, 2014 at 3:33 pm
  
  So hard to be still and silent. I hope you’ll be writing on that as I’d love to glean from what God is speaking into your life. Thanks for stopping by, friend!
  Reply
June on September 5, 2014 at 9:39 am

Why do we always miss the basic stuff? God didn’t make it hard. And He graciously provides all we need. We’re just to focused on “our” stuff. Great analogy with your daughter texting. I shared your steps with my friends on FB, Ginger – have a blessed week!
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 5, 2014 at 1:52 pm
  
  Sharing the journey and the things we are working through along the way opens the door for God to use us as we are. How gracious God is and what joy it is to know that He is speaking in the midst of it all. Thank you for reading and sharing. I am honored. Have a great weekend!
  Reply
Renee @Doorkeeper on September 6, 2014 at 1:04 pm

Love! Scheduled a Tweet to share this next Wed. Love the rocking chair idea! Blessings, Ginger!
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on September 6, 2014 at 1:44 pm
  
  What a great example of using scheduling. I need to learn up on that. Thanks for stopping by!
  Reply
Vern on December 5, 2018 at 2:58 am

Death and life is in the power of the tongue.
I find it easier to pray for others.
Someone said interceding is sending out God’s love through prayer.
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on December 18, 2018 at 2:28 pm
  
  I love that reflection of prayer. Vern, great to connect with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today!
  Reply
Julius Kiberu on January 17, 2025 at 4:15 am

Ginger thanks To ^***GOD****^ For Your advice for rescueing me your advice generates ma inner peace May ^***GOD****^ Bless You.
Reply
- Ginger Harrington on January 18, 2025 at 10:26 am
  
  I’m so thankful this has been truly helpful for you, Julius! May God give you deeper focus as you apply a few of these ideas when you pray. Blessings to you, Ginger
  Reply

How to Stay Focused in Prayer: Prayer Tips

Prayer is a conversation with God.

Relationship is the heart of prayer.

Don’t worry about having the right words to pray.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray.

Begin with worship music.

Pray God’s Word.

Pray out loud.

Get moving.

Biblical meditation deepens prayer.

Focus by staying on the same subject with God.

Write it down.

Ask God questions.

Show Notes:How to Cultivate Prayer Habits for Deeper Focus and Clarity

Habit of Hope: Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you pray with greater focus.

Related Blog Posts on Spiritual Concentration

Recent Podcast Episodes

20 Comments

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