Praying can be hard in the 21st Century. We have so many distractions, surfing the internet, streaming services like Netflix, video games, and etc. In fact, much of this tech has rewired minds to be ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) which causes short attention spans and an inability to be still, which is a hallmark of prayer, “Be still and know I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). In fact Jesus told the raging storm, “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm,” (Mark 4:39), something we need Him to do with our inner storms today.
There is evidence in brain chemistry studies that video games rewires brains to be ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD. The constant exposure to games, shows, and more seems to effect children as their mind grows. Has perhaps a side effect been to uproot the ease of praying? A relative of mine when we all pray can’t stop fidgeting and shaking their body as they can’t wait for prayer to end. This relative is addicted to video games, and has to be banned from them during the school week to function. What if te purpose of all this video gaming is to break in younger forming minds the ability fo be still snd pray? I know conspiracy theory right? Bit what if I told you I was raised on video games, and played them long hours and I struggle to prsy myself, I have to choose to concentrate, be still, and not always fill the air with my own petitions. I also happen to know founders of the Gaming industry who were at the time professed Satanists with the goal of indoctrinating children via video games, is it possible they knew the games could cause learning disorders like ADHD and make to hard to be still enough to listen to God’s voice and pray?
Could Abraham ever have received The Promise in this century? Would John have received The Revelation on Patmos or been binging sword and sandals epics? My point is not only has the technologies of videos and video games reshaped culture, but it is possible it has influenced people’s ability to pray. I think of how the apostles gathered on Sundays to pray, how Medievalists filled cathedrals to light candles and pray, but this generation instead would rather stream and play games which have no eternal inheritance.
Now that the problem is diagnosed, how do you cure this prayer problem? I have some ideas of how to help your prayer life in a distracting world:
I. Take time to unplug, its easier after you’ve slept 6-8hrs, with your brain reconfigured, avoid your smartphone, TV, and etc; and seek the Lord and Pray (with cup of tea or coffee). Alternative, unplug from tech an hour before bed and spend the time praying and reading Scripture.
II. For every hour of video games, surfing the web, YouTube, and etc take an hour off. Research shows one hour is limit before the brain shifts to ADHD tendencies.
III. Take a sabbatical from videos and tech, go to a retreat and tech detox as your pray and seek Christ.
IV. Consider putting timers on tech and rewarding yourself if you obey the timer and go pray.
V. Find the best praying style for you, closed eyes cuffed hands, open eyes starring at a painting of Christ, standing up and moving as you pray, taking to Jesus as casually as you do a friend, and etc.
VI: Download a Prayer Reminder App
VII: Find a prayer partner (friend or friends), but make sure you also pray one om one with the Lord too.
VIII. Read Scripture to inspire you to pray.
IX: Make a Prayer List and go down it; but make sure to listen to God as well.
X: Pray for the Lord to help you grow in your prayer life, even ask if Christ will heal your mind from the effects of the videos.
These are some ideas. If prayer comes easy to you, then huzzah! You are blessed! But for the rest of us, it requires a battle against the things that pull at our attention. It doesn’t mean you are weak, it means your mind was besieged from youth to desire quick instant gratifying images and info; to reverse this takes God’s help and your own choice to actively pray, even when you’d rather watch a show or do something else. You have to exercise control over your flesh, and do what you need and desire spiritually which is to pray.
You may ask, “alright, but what are the benefits of praying?” What will happen if I choose to start praying more? While prayer is not meant to be viewed like an exercise, but rather it is relating, and communicating with God, there are many benefits to praying:
I. You connect with God the Trinity, and can hear His voice.
Ii. You de-stress as you caste your anxieties on Him, “” ().
III. Your Spirit and spiritual life gets fed which makes your mind and body also feel good.
IV. You may receive a word of wisdom, word of knowledge, a prophecy, or message for yourself or to share with others Christians. Make sure to test the word with Scripture, and to let others test it (1 John 4:1, 1 Corinthians 15:).
V. Prayer has the power to change things, millions prayed for Berlin Wall to fall and it did.
VI: Prayer can change you, as you seek the Lord, introspect, confess sins, and pray for problems, you may discover something about yourself that opens your eyes.
VI. Prayer isn’t leaving tweets on God’s Twitterfeed, He being omnipresent and living in all Christians and Christians living in Him (1 John 4:15) can talk to each of us deeply, intimately, and in detail all at once.
VII: Prayer can heal, it can help us uproot bitterness, and if someone lays on hands to pray for healing (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) a person can have miracle. Christ is the healer, but we must ask (Matthew 7:7).
VIII: Prayer can be used to get us through crises, instead of using expletives, pray, for even our Lord Jesus in agony at Gethsemane prayed as He sweated blood, “He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell and became like great drops of blood,” (Luke 22:44) and He prayed from the cross for His enemies, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” ().
In case you thought prayer came easy to the apostles, check this out:
“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:40-46). Peter, James, and John couldn’t keep the eyes open! How similar are we in our culture, only instead we are in slumber looking at screens; our eyes are not closed, but fixated on screens that make us sleep. There is a time and place to enjoy streaming and even games, but if your prayer life is suffering and you struggle to concentrate, take heed, the technology has helped your flesh, not your spirit, especially in regards to attention spans. I urge you and even myself, to make prayer more active part of our life. If you prefer, this Lent, give up something like streaming, video games, surfing the web, and pray instead, or for a less austere approach, for every hour of streaming (surfing, playing b-games) pray 15-30mins. Set a stop watch, but quality over quantity; the point is to get into practice because prayer is not about your Santa Claus List, its about communing with Christ, speaking and listening, intercommunication. I hope and pray (no pun) we can bypass this ADHD, ADD, and other disorders linked to long exposure to videos and video games at formative years of our life. We can do this! I am on same boat! For we can do anything, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13). Amen.
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