Setting aside worldly distractions

Do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:31-33).

Sir William Cecil was once the Lord Treasurer of England. When he went to bed at night, he would take off his robe of office and say to it: "Lie there, Lord Treasurer." In this way he was setting aside all the affairs of state for which he was responsible, so that he could get a peaceful night’s rest.

This is a habit we would do well to cultivate in ourselves when we spend time with God. How often do you find your mind wandering during a sermon, or while reading a devotion, or while in prayer? Oftentimes, we come to church or start a table prayer without first clearing our minds of everything else. Devoting our attention to God is not a passive recreational activity, like sitting down to watch a TV show. Worshiping God is an activity that requires concentration, no different than the concentration needed to cut a lawn in straight rows or properly finish a piece of embroidery.

It is hard to concentrate on God when we let worries gnaw at us. Thankfully, Jesus invites us to turn our worries over to Him. Peter writes, cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Whenever you prepare to worship our Lord, take a moment to go to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to do two things for you: first, ask Him to take the things you are worried about under His almighty care; second, ask Him to help you focus on Him alone as you devote your time to Him. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and He will see to it that you have everything you truly need. Please join me in prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for letting the worries of life distract us from focusing properly on You. Help us to turn our concerns over to You every day, because You have both the wisdom and the power to resolve things in ways that we never can. Move us to set time aside for You every day, and when we do, help us to devote our attention entirely to You. Amen.