Trouble praying

[aball1035]

Do any of you have trouble focusing on the words when praying?

I have one example-I pray the Act of Contrition before I go to sleep every night and some nights can’t seem to ‘remember’ what words mean, or can’t concentrate. If I don’t focus on the words, but only the meaning (for example I might think about how I will never do ‘this’ sin again and how sorry I am for offending God) will my prayer still count and sins be forgiven?

 

[adrift]

Do any of you have trouble focusing on the words when praying?

I have one example-I pray the Act of Contrition before I go to sleep every night and some nights can’t seem to ‘remember’ what words mean, or can’t concentrate. If I don’t focus on the words, but only the meaning (for example I might think about how I will never do ‘this’ sin again and how sorry I am for offending God) will my prayer still count and sins be forgiven?

I hope so. Since this is a problem I often have.

 

[adrift]

Any Suggestions?

 

[kristleful]

I have the same exact problem. But don’t worry; God looks at our heart when we pray–not our words! When I’m having that difficulty, I just pray the same prayer but in my own words. It helps it actually have meaning in my mind.

Then, of course, there are prayers like the rosary where I would feel wrong putting it into my own words. In that case, I ask God to help me pray well, and then I say it a bit more slowly. I try my best to concentrate, but don’t beat myself up if I’m having trouble. God sees our intentions when we pray, and if we are praying because we love Him and not because we just feel like that’s “what we’re supposed to do,” then it probably doesn’t make much of a difference to God that sometimes our mind blocks us from understanding fully or concentrating on the particular words.

Also sometimes I ask God to accept my intention to pray well. I believe He accepts that.

Just stop worrying so much!