024: Cut through the mental noise! Focus on God and hear His voice!

Prayer frustration is a real thing and we need to talk about it...

God designed us for a spiritual experience with Him. But when we find ourselves just going through the motions and the experience starts to feel stagnant, we can become frustrated with our prayer time that should be a time of replenishment and rest.

Sis, You don't have to stay there!
In this episode, I'm sharing with you the 3 steps I take when my soul is aching for that precious time with my creator.  These strategies can be used to not only regain peace in your prayer life but restore peace in your mind so God can work more fully in your everyday life.

Grab a notebook and pen, because this episode will leave you equipped for battle!

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Transcript

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If you enjoy worth it, consider joining the worth it squad Facebook group. Imagine finding a community of believers where you can experience genuine human connection and true fellowship. We unashamedly focus on God and His Word. We pray together, celebrate each other. And through all the things that are going on in your life, you are surrounded by friends who understand you, and remind you of your value. This is the essence of the word that squad Facebook group. So take a moment, look up the word that squat on facebook and join your squad today. Have you ever found yourself frustrated about your prayer life? Not that you're not going to God with your prayers, and you're kind of listing off that laundry list of people that you pray for things that you pray for her. Or maybe you even have those moments when you're like, I don't even know what to pray for. Lord, please help me. And you get frustrated, because there's that lack of focus there. But then you're also trying to listen to God, you're trying to hear his voice, and really spend that time with God, not walk in, make your list of demands, and then walk out. But just really getting a hold of God and having that time with your Creator. With this is a deep subject, we're going to dive right into today. So grab your coffee, grab your tea, grab a notebook to make some notes, and let's get to it. Welcome to worth it, the podcast where we answer anxiety, deflate fear, and shut down shame, because ain't no woman got time for that you were made to thrive. My mission is to help you get deeply rooted with God and reclaim your weapon that the enemy of God has been using against you. After going to battle for my own mind. Three years ago, I realized that there is a war going on for our minds. A battle that begins with how we think says you have much more control, then you realize with each episode, you'll learn how to fight back and become more confident in the truth that God already knows, you are worth it. I'm Michelle Remington, Christian mindset coach, thought strategist, and warrior Mama. Grab your sword, daughter of the king, it's time to unleash your inner warrior princess. Welcome back, warrior woman, thank you so much for joining me for another episode of worth it. So we're frustrated about our prayer life. And there could be many reasons for that. Maybe it's lack of focus and not knowing what to pray for. Maybe it's you feel like you're going through the motions. And you're going through this list of things you're praying for, but you're not feeling like you're getting what you need from your prayer life. I have been there. And I am going to share with you today the things that I have used the things that I have done to help myself through this process. And the first thing I want to tell you is that this is a process, honey, you got to be patient with yourself. Because all of these things that you're trying to change our behaviors. And these behaviors didn't happen overnight. They're influenced by several different areas of your life, outside influences inside influences your thoughts, your emotions, their spiritual things in there. And I want you to just have grace and mercy with yourself through this process. So I'm going to go through my list of things that have helped me actions steps that I've taken, that I have found most beneficial to help my prayer life, even with a preschooler at home. It's sometimes as a parent, it can be difficult to find that time. So either way, if you have kids, maybe you got four babies that are demanding, you get a job that's demanding, you need to make the time, make the time for yourself through this because if you don't make time for yourself, you're going to get burnt out. You're just going to fizzle burn out. And that is most definitely not what we want. Because what I want you to gain from this podcast is I want you to gain fulfillment. I want you to gain encouragement. And I want you to leave hopeful knowing that you've just been equipped with something that will help you through this process. And the number one thing that I want you to do with any advice that I give through my podcast is Take it to God, take it to God, because this is all about you and your relationship with God. If that's not right, nothing else in life is going to be right. So we got to get that right. So let's get started. So the first thing is probably the most obvious thing, a distraction free environment is going to be challenging, you have to be very intentional about this. And you'll also want to be focused, and this is something that I'm working on is gaining that focus when I go into my prayer time, because I'll, I'll make that time. And then I'll go in my mind is not focused, kind of like when you get the time to go to sleep, but your brain won't shut off. Same thing. So talking about outside distractions, so that means maybe putting the phone in another room, turning off all music, TV computer, just get all that out of the space that you're in. And if you have kids, maybe this is where you need to either wake up early, or stay up a little later. Or maybe during the kids nap time or something like that. I don't know what your schedule is, but you know what time is gonna work for you or you're going to find it. And I know you will. And if this is a struggle for you, pray about it. Be like, Lord, I want more of you. Please help me find the time to have that communion with you. And then focus, focus. Let's talk about that. So, focus has a lot to do with the thoughts that you have going in your mind. But it's also mainly how disciplined you are in those thoughts. And a lot of times when you hear something like that, you may think like, oh, disciplined in your thoughts, like some kind of drill sergeant or something. No, this is possible for all human beings. You know how I know. Because God made us that way. And the Scriptures speak to that discipline, that spiritual discipline, that mental discipline that He created us to have, we just need to exercise it, we need to build those muscles, so that we can gain that focus. And I myself am working through this right now. But I'm starting to see the fruits of it. So we know that it is working. And it can work for you too. So when it comes to focus, the number one thing you're going to want to look at is your gates, your gates, are your eyes, your ears, your nose, your mouth, what are you letting in what are you being influenced by. And then the other thing with focus is maybe it's just, you know, you got a really busy life. And you, you know, even when you have time to just sit down and relax, you're still thinking about all the things you got to do. This is where the Word of God can be a different kind of tool for you to where you can take a particular scripture and focus on that scripture. Or maybe you want to focus on a particular praise or worship song that just resonates with you. This really speaks to you and where you are in your desire in your relationship with God. Next, we're looking at mindset, and attitude. Because a lot of times, and I've definitely gone through this myself, a lot of times we get frustrated with ourselves, and what happens when we get frustrated with ourselves. Hmm, yep, we start to be like, what's wrong with you? Why can't you do this? And you know, all those downer kind of thoughts come into play. So first, you're going to take that to the Word of God, is it the truth? And the answer is more than likely, no. So we want to check our attitude before we go into prayer. And you know what, there's a lot of times where I'm just frustrated about the day. I mean, there have been a lot of times where I'm just in I'm in the middle of the day, I'm frustrated. I haven't even taken the time to pray yet because the kiddo was up first thing in the morning and it was up and Run, Run, Run, Run Run, and by the time I get to go to prayer, but by the time I get so frustrated that I make the time to go to prayer, I have this stanky attitude in the presence of God. Yeah, some of that that don't sound right does it? So what I have started to do and what I find is most helpful is I will literally just be truthful with God. I'm like, you know what, Lord, I've been frustrated about the day, I got this, this, this, this and this going on. And I am just, I'm frustrated right now just so Lord, can you just just melt this away? Can you help me with this frustration? Can you help me with this anger, or whatever other emotion that you're feeling. And for myself, when I do that, I feel as I'm saying, these things, Lord helped me with this, Lord, help me with that. He's literally dissolving these things away. So don't be afraid to be real with God, and your emotions and how you're feeling. Don't be afraid, because God already knows. But the power is, when you actually go before God, you speak these things before God. And you're literally submitting them to God and saying, you know what this is what is happening. And the moment you ask for help, is when you're going to see that power and action. So keep that in mind, especially if you have situations going on where you need to change your attitude before you get to that point of taking the time to listen to God. And then the third thing is quieting your mind. This can be applicable in so many different areas of our lives, like those moments when you are trying to go to sleep. And your mind just keeps on going and going and going. Or if you wake up in the middle of the night, and your mind just keeps going and going and going and you really wanted to go back to sleep. Or when you just want to go to prayer. You're just like, Lord, this is the time that I have made to go to prayer. Why isn't my mind shutting off. So the first thing that you can do is prayer. Ask God to help you to quiet your mind. Secondly, remember that you have a choice. So if those thoughts come into your mind, and a lot of times they're like those anxious kind of thoughts, like what if this happens? And what if this happens? You can literally say out loud, even if you want, no, I have a choice, and I will not let that thought, take over my time with God. And quite honestly, I will literally just rebuke that in the name of Jesus, I'll say, No, the Lord rebuke you in the name of Jesus. I mean, whatever it takes, but we've got power that God has given us, because he is the source of that power. He is the power. So if God has given us mouths to speak, and minds to understand the power of who Jesus is, why don't we use that power? So I just started using it. Girl, let me tell you, there's times when I just rebuke some things that just seem silly. But there's times when I rebuke my thoughts, and I rebuke my emotions, and the Lord instantly comes into action. So do not forget that as a believer, because you know who Jesus is, and because you know his power, you can use that. So you have a choice, rebuke those on wanted thoughts. I kind of like to call it, rebuke, and reverse, right? If you even want to take it that step. So maybe you got to worry that comes into your mind, well, what if this happens to my kid? Or what if this happens to me, because they are rebuke that thought in the name of Jesus, God has promised that he will protect me, I live for God, I have dedicated myself to God. And because of that God has a hedge of protection around me, rebuke, and reverse. Ask for help. If you are trying to quiet your mind. Ask God to help you quiet your mind. It's funny for a while, for a long time, many, many, many years. I kind of had this mindset of like, why would I ask God to help me with my thoughts? I should be able to regulate my thoughts or why should I help God to help me to regulate my emotions and how I react to things I should be able to do that. You know, just like putting this pressure on yourself, that you need to know a discipline that you've never actually learned? It's really just expanding your relationship with God taken to a whole new level, when we humble ourselves before God, and recognize that Jesus is our sovereign, he's sovereign over us. He is our God, our king, our Savior, he knows us better than we know ourselves. So why are we going to be some stubborn mule, and reject the help that God is ready to give? And says that he wants to give come to me? I guess I guess that scripture is another think of it that that scripture is really the one that we turn to when we're just fed up with ourselves. And we're just so burnt out trying to do it ourselves. When we hear come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Well, why do we got to get to that point? I finally came to that point, when I let it go too far. And thankfully, God showed up and saved me. That's when I realized, why do I even have to let it get so far that I'm weary and broken down? Yes, that's an option. But why am I going to break myself down when God is trying to build me up? So ask yourself that question, maybe that's something that you need to address for yourself. I didn't plan on saying that. But the Lord knows that he knows somebody needs to hear that. So I hope this has encouraged you, I hope you have gotten some insight and some good action steps that you can take to help you and by all means, let me know if these steps have helped you. You can, if you've already joined the worth that group on Facebook, certainly let me know in there, you can always find me in there. And if you want, you can just email me. It's michelle@michelleremington.com. In the meantime, as we do, let's end in prayer. Lord Jesus, I thank you for the ability to share this part of my journey. One that has really been one of the most frustrating things when I can't hear your voice. Because you created us, Lord, for that connection, You created us to have that miraculous and amazing, beautiful connection with you. I thank you for that God. And I pray that each person that hears this will find something in the advice that I've given today, that will help them to really get a hold of you God and have that time with you. To really just soak in your presence God in to be nourished by your presence. God, you are so good. And you're so loving. And I thank you so much, Lord, just to know who you are. Debt, be able to go to your in prayer and have a relationship with you God. And I pray that you would continue to work mightily in each person that hears this because they're hearing this for a reason. They're hearing this because they need more of you, Jesus, and I pray that you would help them to find that. Thank you, Jesus. That's in your precious and Your holy name we pray. Amen. Amen. So I have a little surprise for you. I made you something. Now you may or may not know that I am a former Christian radio DJ. And quite honestly, I just absolutely love playlists and I know that it is so helpful to have a good playlist to help you throughout the day and get your mindset right get your mood right and so I made you two playlists on Spotify. The first is called worth it praise. I've got all kinds of awesome songs on here to get you praise in get you feeling encouraged. We got like Danny Gokey on here has a Kyle Walker. I will Don't go into the whole list because it is a proper playlist and I am quite sure you're gonna love it be encouraged with it and then the other one is worth it worship because I mean, you know, we all need some praise and worship in our lives. So both of these playlists are public on Spotify. So just look up orthop praise and orthop worship. I hope you enjoy them and I am also going to be linking them on my website as well you can always check out Michelle Remington calm So go on, get your praise and worship on. Thank you for joining me on this episode of worth it. If this episode has blessed you in some way, I invite you to leave a review and make sure that you subscribe to this podcast for more encouraging content. Until next time, remember you are worth it.