How the Devil Tries to Distract You During Prayer (and How to Resist)

Prayer is one of the fundamental Christian spiritual practices. When we become serious about our faith, we often establish a daily prayer rule—setting aside time in the morning and evening to pray. Yet many discover that as they increase their prayer time, they become distracted or discouraged, and sometimes fall away from this most essential practice. Prayer is vital because through it we relate to God, and in a mystical way communicate with Him and He with us.

The devil works tirelessly to discourage us—not only in prayer, but in all our efforts to live according to the Gospel. His aim is to keep us from salvation. We therefore need strong faith and perseverance as we journey toward union with God, preparing ourselves for eternal life in His Kingdom. We must see the devil as a real enemy who attacks from all sides, using deceit and subtle ploys to confuse, distract, and dishearten us.

One common tactic is to discourage us from keeping the prayer times we have set. Demons tempt us by suggesting other activities, implanting thoughts or mental images, or persuading us that something else is more important than prayer. This is why the Fathers insist that we concentrate on the words of the prayer. When we focus on the words, we are strengthened against temptation. During prayer we must reject all thoughts—good or bad—and give our full attention to the words, embracing them in our heart.

Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov teaches:

“When sinful thoughts and fantasies appear to you, do not pay the slightest attention to them. The moment you see them with your mind, enclose your mind in the words of the prayer all the more earnestly…”

He describes several tactics the devil uses:

The enemy may remind us of those who have wronged us, stirring up old hurts and demanding justice, retaliation, or self-defense. He tries to inflame resentment and destroy the foundation of prayer, which is forgiveness and meekness. A person consumed with anger or unwilling to forgive cannot gain compunction or concentrate in prayer; angry thoughts scatter prayer.

The devil may bring to mind ways we have failed others—not to lead us to repentance, but to distract us and turn our mind away from prayer. For this reason, it is important to reconcile with others beforehand, so the enemy cannot use unresolved tensions to disturb us.

Saint Ignatius writes:

“Forgiveness of wrongs and offenses—changing condemnation of our neighbors into kindness and mercy so that we excuse them and blame ourselves—provides the only solid basis for successful prayer.”

He will also tempt us by recalling past successes, encouraging pride, or turning our thoughts toward increasing our comfort or material well-being. Anything that easily captures our attention becomes an opportunity for distraction.

Again Saint Ignatius warns:

We must refuse the joy brought by those fancies and reflections that destroy in us contrition of spirit, concentration, and attention during prayer, and that lead to self-opinion and distraction. If we consent to thoughts of resentment and condemnation, or to thoughts and fantasies of vainglory, pride, love of money, or love of the world—and if we dawdle in them or take pleasure in them—then we enter into fellowship with Satan, and the power of God which protects us will leave us.

Our challenge, once we understand these tactics, is to develop a strategy for guarding ourselves.
First, we should expect such temptations.
Second, we must be prepared to reject them immediately—every thought other than the words of the prayer.

Do not allow yourself to judge your friend, spouse, coworker, or anyone else. Simply ask God to have mercy on them, forgive any offense you feel, and return to the words of the prayer.

Likewise, reject any thoughts that inflate self-esteem or pride. Humility is essential to prayer.

Saint Ignatius teaches:

“We will renounce and deny ourselves—our souls and our lives; that is, we will refuse to seek human glory or chase needlessly after a comfortable earthly position and privileges, surrendering ourselves entirely to the will of God, thanking Him for our past and present, and leaving our future to Him.”

Before beginning prayer, set aside every grievance. Humble yourself, take the blame upon yourself, forgive those who have wronged you, and clear your mind of anything that could later become a distraction.

Saint Ignatius concludes:

“Let us begin our prayer with a prayer for our enemies. Let us unite ourselves in prayer with all men, and ask God to have mercy on us together with all men everywhere—not because we are fit or worthy to pray for mankind, but in order to fulfill the commandment of love which says, ‘Pray for one another.’”

Reference: Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Harvest, volume IV of collected works.