Distractions in Prayer, Part II       The prior discussion on Distractions in Prayer applies most of the time. But not always. Sometimes it depends on the nature of the distraction.       One very simple but incredibly effective strategy for certain distractions at prayer (or when trying to sleep!) is to have handy paper and pen. When some thought, some anxiety – especially one of those never-ending to-do items! – comes to mind, just jot it down quickly, and then return to trying to pray (or trying to sleep). No need to think about it anymore; it’s there. The thought can go.       Other times a distraction is a real concern. Sometimes maybe we are supposed to pray about it. For example, if your mind wanders to some tragedy in the news, just gently turn to the Lord and pray for the people involved in the tragedy. Or say your child’s struggle with addiction comes to mind. Gently turn to the Lord and pray for the chil...

Distractions in Prayer       It doesn’t take very long for a person to begin regular daily prayer when he throws up his hands and wants to scream – in good Charlie Brown style – “ARUGGGGH!” Distractions! Distractions! Will they never end!       Well, welcome to the human race. We all know visiting with friends and all the while thinking about a million other things. Our mental capacities allow for multiple levels of awareness and thought. But then we want to have a heart-to-heart conversation with someone – then we naturally try to stay focused. The same with prayer. We just keep trying to focus on God no matter what comes.       Every little “try” is a turning from self and back to God.       Consider Jesus praying in Gethsemane. Did He have a sweet time of communion? No! What about when he was praying and fasting 40 days in the desert? No! He was fighting against enormous temptations....

Of the Imitation of Christ (One) In the Fall of 1979, the author of these articles was a Presbyterian seminarian at Princeton Theological Seminary. While perusing books at the Princeton University Bookstore, a paperback book (only $1.95 then!) called, Of The Imitation of Christ , caught my eye. The book was by Thomas À Kempis, identified as a monk. Immediately my then anti-Catholic alerts went off: warning!