Catholic Questions - Prayer (2)

When I try to pray, my mind jumps all around. Can you help?

You are not the only one who struggles with this! Though we might use different words to describe it, pretty much everyone has a mind that sometimes, "jumps all around" when we pray. As you know, the goal of prayer is to become aware of God, to become present to the God who is always present to us. So when your mind drifts, the first this to do is notice that it is happening. Then there are a number of things that might prove helpful. Some find that-from time to time in prayer-it is good to have something to look at, like a crucifix or a candle. Others have a special word they go back to when they find themselves thinking about something else, a word that turns them back to the presence of God. Some people read a Bible verse or reflection that centers their minds again. Or maybe when you are aware that your mind has drifted, it might be good to turn that into a prayers itself. Just give whatever it is you found yourself thinking about to God. "Well, God, here I am thinking about that again." Then offer that to God in thanks or sorrow or petition, and your distraction itself becomes a prayer! The good news is that even when our minds jump all alround, God remains right there, present to us, filled with love!