Distractions

No matter who we are, we find ourselves plagued with distractions when we pray. No wonder; our world is full of noise, our lives are overpacked, powerpacked, with people, events, "things to do", so much so that we mercifully suffer from so much overload that we actually forget at least half of what we have to do each day. Naturally, when we try to pray, these things invade our time, minds, and hearts, and we find ourselves running through the "to do list" during the precious little time that we have for Mass and prayer. If it's not the "to do list," then it's the grossest fantasies that we think ever besieged anyone's imagination. What to do when our minds are in fast foward or the "combat zone?" First. panic not. Second, stop, take several deep breaths to calm our frustration. Third, pray for the people and events that are distracting us and ask for the grace to get back on track. Fourth, remember that we are not alone; everyone faces the same problem. Fifth, be consoled in knowing that if we are being blocked from prayer, it is a good sign that what we are doing is pleasing to God and not to the Devil. The image of high tide waves breaking on a rocky cliff for hours, then slowly receeding to low tide is a reminder that there is an ebb and flow to our prayer life. Sometimes we're in high tide and everything is strong, vibrant, and energizing. There are no distractions, we are in high consolation. God is very near. Other times, we find the tide of our prayer low, lacking vitality, and filled with distractions. But in both cases, the ocean is always there. It doesn't give up. So too must we remember that God is there in the low ebb of our prayer, even in the distractions.
Bro. Rene