April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Jesus, help me focus on one thing, like homework or praying, by putting away everything that would distract me from it! Amen.
Jesus went into the desert for 40 days with no food. The devil came and said, "If you're God, turn the rocks into bread." Jesus said, "Bread isn't all that keeps you alive. God does, too." The devil took Jesus to the top of a building and said, "Jump. If you're God, angels will catch you." "Don't test God," Jesus answered. The devil showed Jesus the world and said, "I'll give you this if you worship me." "Worship only God," Jesus answered. "Go away!" So the devil left Jesus alone.
What helps you focus? To get homework done, lots of kids have to turn off music, put away their phones and sit in the quietest place they can find. Otherwise, there are too many distractions to concentrate.
The same goes for praying: It's hard to really talk to God about what's going on in your life if you're doing 10 other things at the same time! When you can concentrate on thanking God for good things, asking for help with problems and remembering people who need prayers, you're a lot more likely to feel better after you pray.
Jesus took that to an extreme. In this week's Gospel (Matthew 4:111), He needed to get ready to start traveling around to teach people about God. That was a big job, so He wanted to spend time praying before He jumped into it. He went into the desert, alone and bringing nothing, so He could focus only on God and what His Father wanted Him to do.
Putting aside distractions like your phone or music can help you feel calmer when doing homework. You're not stressed by having your brain try to process singing, texting and studying all at once!
Jesus got a lot done in the desert, too. In fact, He was so calm that, when the devil appeared and tried to distract Him, He could just say, "I'm focused on God right now. Go away." Jesus was a master at getting rid of distractions![[In-content Ad]]
MORE NEWS STORIES
SOCIAL MEDIA
OSV NEWS
- Rhode Island celebrates Pope Leo declaration that baby’s healing was a true miracle
- Gaza parish attack, Marian devotion & vocations, St. Thomas More exhumation | Week in Review
- Catholic “American Ninja Warrior” fighting world hunger, one obstacle at a time
- Washington Roundup: Trump’s Epstein fallout; Congress backs rescissions; IRS church policy shifts
- Amid tragic deaths, Opus Dei men recalled as prayerful, inspiring sons of God
- Bishop places restrictions on Catholic influencer accused of misconduct, pending investigation
- Court blocks WA mandatory reporter law over lack of confession protections
- World leaders ‘appalled’ by Gaza church attack, amid calls between Vatican, Tel Aviv and Washington
- Houses destroyed, church burnt: new wave of violence against Syrian Christians
- Israeli PM calls pope, who urged the leader to start negotiations, ceasefire
Comments:
You must login to comment.