Distracted

Louisa Ikena reflects on the need to emphasize what is important over what is urgent, and offers an original prayer for combating distraction.

Distracted. 

I’m so distracted. 

Pulled this way, pulled that way 

Go, go, go! 

Can’t get enough. 

But wait. Wait! 

Stop. Pause. Hit the pause button. Wait! 

I take a deep breath, 

In through the nose, out through the mouth. 

The pause is just long enough  

To help me remember You. 

You are in this moment. 

You are in that moment. 

You are in every moment. 

So I can pause. I can “be.” 

Lord, help us to pause and  

To know that You are here. 

Lord, I ask this as yet  

Another notification beckons. 

Help us to listen to Your voice 

In the midst of it all. 

I desire You to be the  

Center of my life. 

Jesus, save me from being distracted. 

What Do I Need to Do to Prevent Distraction?

I wrote the above piece of writing in real time a few minutes ago. The notification I referred to is a brief noise from my devise with a screen that is very good at distracting me. The urgency out-beckons the important.   

It is vitally important for me to acknowledge God’s Presence in my life. It is vitally important to be present to loved ones in my life.  And it is vitally important to me, for me to keep my promises. When I am pulled in a thousand different directions, how can I effectively keep my promises to God, to myself, or to anyone else? 

The truth is: I can’t, God can, and I need to let God be God in my life. What do I need to do, just for today, to protect myself from being so distracted? 

I believe everyone’s answer might be different, but my list comes to mind right away. I need to pray more, not less. I need to let go of outcomes, to let go and let God. I need to reach out to others. In addition to reminding me I am not alone, I could aim to make someone’s day. I need to ask the question, how can I serve? I believe there is always a meaningful and immediate answer to that question. 

Prayer for Combating Distraction   

Come, Holy Spirit! Inspire us with Your presence. Sanctify us to grow in holiness, bit by bit, one day at a time. Animate us with Your energy, Your zeal, Your strength, Your loving presence. Help me never tire from serving You. I want to know You more and more in my life.

Yes, this! This prayer, this time of worship is what is most important right here, right now. Let this time of prayer be pleasing to You. May the meditations of my heart be ever more pleasing to You day by day.  Thank You, God, for Your awesomeness. Truly, Lord, how great thou art! 

This! This is the most important thing. I want to listen at Your feet and serve You with joy in my heart. I want to sing Your praises with full voice and with all my being. 

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of today. In light of eternity, we have precious little time to seek and do Your will on this earth! Help me, just for today, to not be distracted. Amen. 

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Copyright 2025 Louisa Ann Irene Ikena
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