If you’re part of the older generation, you will probably remember as a kid when your black and white TV would go all fuzzy and get those zigzag lines all across the screen blocking out your favorite TV show. While most TVs today don’t get that kind of interference, we are still distracted with a plethora of ads interrupting our show just at a critical moment!

And what about browsing the internet on our tablet or iPhone–it’s maddening at how many pop-ups and banner ads we get. Right there smack dab in your face–covering up what you want to read! And it’s like a giant maze just trying to finish reading the article to the end, avoiding all the ads and links diverting you away from the original article. Often, I mistakenly click on the wrong arrow and am led somewhere totally different.

It’s just the same in our spiritual lives–especially when we try to pray. How many times have you begun to pray and you’re interrupted by thoughts to do this or do that, or just check your e-mail, etc.  And before you know it,  you find yourself chasing the rabbit down the rabbit hole. I know, because it’s a daily challenge for me. Sometimes I dig back out of that hole, but other days I don’t and my prayer time falls by the wayside.

Satan loves to run interference to keep us from connecting with God through prayer. Below are some basic steps we can take to help us stay focused:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and direct your prayer time and help you focus.
2. If you are distracted by them, put your tablets & phones in another room. You may even need to give up using the Bible online and go to a printed version.
3. Keep a notebook nearby and when thoughts of things you need to do interrupt, jot them down and follow-up later.
4. Take a walk where there is nothing to distract you. I find walking helps me stay centered and focused in prayer.

What have you found that helps you escape the Enemy’s interference? Share your thoughts in the Comment box.