Without taking a survey, I’d venture to say most Catholics would agree that distraction is their greatest hurdle in prayer. Staying focused—rather than drifting off into mental grocery lists or work projects—is a huge challenge. Throw in the chaos of a busy family or a personal crisis, and the noise becomes overwhelming. Truth be told, I have always struggled with distraction. Early in my seminary training, a priest instructor told my class that prayer shouldn’t just be a time for us to speak; it must also be a time to listen for God’s direction. I was floored. How is anyone supposed to listen for God’s voice amid so many distractions? The Gospel offers a glimpse of the ultimate answer: It comes down to trust and finding calm within the chaos.
In Matthew 14:22–33, the disciples see Jesus walking toward them on the water. Peter calls out, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus replies, “Come.” Peter steps out and walks on the water toward Him—until he shifts his focus to the wind and the waves. Distracted by the storm, he begins to sink. In that moment, Peter sees the chaos as having the ultimate power, not Jesus. Relying on his past experience of how dangerous storms can be, his faith wavers. He wonders, “Can Jesus really make this happen? Is He powerful enough?”, forgetting that Jesus was the very one who called him and was guiding him on his way. Like Peter, we often fall into the trap of letting surrounding circumstances dominate our focus, but if we shift our gaze and move forward in trust, we will find that Jesus regularly shows us that He’s “got us” and that He guides us.
Moving on to the idea of finding calm, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah encounters God not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in a tiny whispering sound. To hear that whisper, Elijah needed time, quiet, and attentiveness. We need the same. Some spiritual guides advise those who pray to bring their distractions into their prayer. Rather than brushing them aside, they advise us to include everything that comes to mind as one stream of thought offered to God. Others suggest creating a special space for silence, prayer, and reflection as a way to keep our focus on Christ and recognize His presence amid life’s storms. Maybe that means turning off the radio while driving to work or waking up ten minutes earlier, before the day begins. Think creatively! When my daughters were young, I preferred washing dishes by hand rather than using the dishwasher. I don’t think my family ever knew, but the warm water and the steady rhythm of the chore became my quiet sanctuary to pray and listen.
Regardless of the method you choose, the key is anchoring your trust in God’s power, presence, and plan. When we intentionally carve out moments of quiet, we make room to hear Christ and follow His direction, even in the middle of the storm. Like Peter, we can all benefit from continually asking ourselves, “How can I silence the chaos to hear Christ?”
