A Prayer for Focused Quiet Time
By: Asheritah Ciuciu
Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10
Do you ever sit down to read the Bible, pray, or work on something important, and find yourself distracted by all. the. little. things?
Yeah, me too.
I was talking to a reader online this week, and she was sharing how hard it is to focus, especially when it comes to important things. I totally get it. It seems like the more important the task is, the more easily I get distracted.
So for you, and me, and my friend, and everyone else who lacks focus during daily devotions, I offer this simple prayer.
A Prayer for Focused Quiet Time
Oh Lord, You know my heart.
You know I sincerely want to grow closer to You and spend time with You, but I get so easily distracted. Like a silly sheep, my mind wanders, and I find my thoughts far from You.
Forgive me for my undisciplined thoughts. Forgive me for so often giving up instead of persevering despite my distraction. Forgive me for choosing the easy path instead of the more difficult, disciplined route. I really want to know You more. I want to spend time in Your presence, to learn to sit quietly at Your feet without a million thoughts distracting me.
Teach me, Lord, how to be still. Like a Good Shepherd, lead me beside still waters. Quiet my soul. Bring order and calm to the chaos in my mind, so that I can spend time in quiet and joyful meditation with You.
Thank You that you are willing and able to do these things, and that when I am weak, You are strong.
I love You.
Amen.
Editor’s Note: Portions of this devotional were taken from Asheritah Ciuciu’s article, A Prayer for Focused Quiet Time. You can read that piece in full here.
Related Resource: Starting 2026 with Intention: Confidence, Diligence, and God’s Direction
As we begin a brand-new year, I want to help you slow down and listen for God’s invitation in your life. In this episode, we kick off our One Word 2026 series — a simple, prayerful way to reflect on where you’ve been and discern how God may be inviting you to grow in the year ahead.
I introduce the heart behind choosing a spiritual “one word,” not as a goal to achieve, but as a posture to receive. We explore two of the six words I’ll be offering this month — confidence and diligence — and look at how Scripture invites us to grow, not by relying on our own strength, but by trusting God’s faithfulness over time.
This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to subscribe to the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
