Prayer A.D.D.?

James 5:16b (KJV) - The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

My prayers do make a difference, in my own life and the lives of those around me. But during time of prayer, I often find my mind wandering. I catch myself thinking on the day's activities, what I'm going to eat, running "dialog scripts" in my mind of what was said or what I plan to say, etc. It's like my mind wanders into and out of prayer, like prayer is just one of the items on my mental "to do list". My mind has a real problem staying focused. It's like I have 'prayer attention deficit disorder'.

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

I searched for some understanding of this scripture, and the Lord had me to delve into the word "stayed". Here's what I found:

According to Gesenius' Lexicon, the Hebrew word we read as "stayed" means 'to place, or lay something upon anything, so that it may rest upon, and be supported by it. To lay the hand on anything, so as to lean upon the hand.'

So using this definition, I can conceive that this word describes the 'laying my mind upon the Lord, so as to lean on the mind, which is already placed on God'. See where this goes? The Lord wants us to keep our minds STAYED (placed) on him, so that when the time of trial comes, our minds are already prepared, so we can 'lean' on him!

Psalm 37:39 (KJV) - But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Lord teach me. Help me renew and refocus my mind toward you, during the good times and the bad times. When things are quiet and when they're in turmoil. I want to learn to 'place my mind on you', so later on when all hell is breaking loose, my mind has been prepared to lean on you.

Thank you for showing me my prayer isn't just arriving, isn't just kneeling, isn't just about the words. Its much, much more. It's also a time of training and preparation, because only YOU know what awaits me around the corner.

Teach me Lord. Teach me.

© 2008 Scotty Ward