Praying with a Wandering Mind: My Personal Experience – The Brave Cookie

When you pray a long prayer or the rosary, do you sometimes find your mind wandering to everyday concerns—office deadlines, household chores, and other obligations—or getting distracted by a sudden noise or a notification on your mobile phone? Or do you feel drowsy and occasionally drift off to sleep midway through your prayer?

A wandering mind, moments of drowsiness, or lapses in concentration during prayer may not sit well with some devout individuals and could even invite chastisement, with some attributing it to distractions or negative forces disrupting their connection to God. However, I believe this is not the case.

God is almighty and all-compassionate. The moment we set our intention to commune with Him, He gives us His attention. He listens to our spirit more than our words. And imagine this: the moment we place ourselves in His presence, His grace envelops us. We become one with His heart. His heart becomes our protective armor, and nothing—not even negative forces—can break through those sacred walls.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11

What about when we fall asleep while praying? To be honest, I often hold the Holy Rosary in my hands as I sleep, especially when my mind is overwhelmed with mental clutter at bedtime. With the rosary in my hand, I would find myself drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

I believe that when someone falls asleep while reciting the rosary—drawn into slumber by the rhythm of the prayers and their meditative nature—it is not a sign of being tempted to stop praying. Rather, it is a gift of rest and calm. Isn’t it a blissful thought to be lulled to sleep in God’s arms?

“You are in God’s arms. He can free you from everything. “
– St Theresa of Avila

In my humble experience as a supplicant, God has no expectations of how I should worship or serve Him. There is no pressure in loving God—it comes naturally. Because of His goodness, my love for Him continues to grow, and my communication with Him flows almost effortlessly. There is no right or wrong time to pray. Talking to God is prayer. Even silence, when immersed in His presence, is prayer.

“Distractions are normal”, according to St Theresa of Avila

St Theresa of Avila is a Spanish-born mystic-saint, who founded the Discalced Carmelites in 1582. She said, Distractions are “unavoidable … and should not be a disturbance or affliction for you … Pay no attention to these thoughts … and let’s not blame the soul for what a weak imagination, human nature, and the devil cause” (Interior Castle, IV.1.13-14).

Related reading: The Interior Castle or The Mansions (external link)

As long as you set your intention to be with God, no distraction can truly interrupt your spiritual dialogue with Him.

In my experience, even after I finish praying and go about my daily routine, messages continue to come through. If I ask a question during prayer, insights often cross my mind a day or two later. God’s timing is not the same as ours, yet it is always perfectly aligned. I cannot predict exactly when, but He always answers in His perfect time.

Mental Prayer: A quiet path to connecting with God

Another form of prayer is mental prayer—praying in the stillness of your mind. As the name suggests, it is a quiet, inward conversation with God. I personally call it ‘Prayer in a Moment’s Bliss.’

This is what I practice anytime, anywhere. St. Teresa of Avila wrote about mental prayer in The Book of Her Life, saying, ‘Mental prayer means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. (The Book of Her Life, 8.5)

In my experience with mental prayer, I visualize God as a presence. In my mind’s eye, He appears as a masculine figure who communicates telepathically. Though He may take on a human form, His face remains unrecognizable. For me, this is because His appearance is immaterial—what matters is the connection. The human form simply serves as a medium for my mind to focus on Him while praying.

However, my mind does not always envision God in human form. At times, He is simply a voice in the darkness of my mind. This voice is not literal but conveys words, phrases, or sentences telepathically. The messages are always direct, though sometimes cryptic or like a short riddle.

I am sharing my experience and do not intend to suggest that this is the only, the right, or the acceptable way to commune with God. I believe that God appears to and engages with each of us differently, taking into account our uniqueness. He does this so that we may experience Him fully allowing His presence to fill our hearts, minds, and spirits.