PTADD

I’ve recently determined I am suffering from adult onset PTADD.  My disorder has had a very gradual onset, but I can deny it no longer.  I am suffering from Prayer Time Attention Deficit Disorder. 

I am able to stay completely focused during almost every other activity of daily living, but the moment I bow my head to pray my brain short circuits.  I’m bombarded with grocery lists, to-do lists, things I forgot to do the day before, business issues, bills, the list goes on and on. Factor in outside distractions and it can seem hopeless.

If you relate to my symptoms, you may also be suffering from PTADD.  I have great news for you!  I have been doing some research on techniques to combat the devestating effects this disorder has on prayer time efficacy, and have found two to be very helpful.

I picked up the first technique from a precious prayer warrior at our church.  She began using the method to organize prayer requests for our ladies’ prayer group.  I recognized the benefit it might have in promoting focused prayer and decided to test it.  I’ve been using it for over a month and the results have been spectacular.

It’s the note card method of recording prayer requests.  Every person I pray for has a card with their name on it.  As I pray I flip through the cards, if a distraction pops in, no problem, I am able to quickly refocus and continue praying.  This method has been a tremendous improvement over the notebook or journal methods I’ve experimented with in the past.  Cards are much more easily updated and long term requests can stay current in the stack as long as needed without the need to constantly rewrite them.  When a specific request is answered you have the joy of filing it in the answered file.

If you’ve shared a prayer request with me – you’ve been carded!  Thanks to the note card method I can now tell you with absolute confidence that I have been praying for you daily.

The second technique may seem a little unorthodox at first, but it works.  Instead of praying silently I now whisper or speak my prayers.  It forces me to be very thoughtful and intentional about what I am praying, but it also seems to be very effective in overriding many of the distractions that come from within.  I’ve only been testing this technique for 1-2 weeks, but the results seem certain enough to pass them on.

If you’re battling PTADD, pick up some note cards and a box and give it a try, I guarantee you will be blessed!  If you have other methods of combatting the effects of PTADD, I hope you will share them here so we can learn from one another.

Want me to card you?  I’ll be glad to, just email me!

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.   1 Peter 4:7

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  James 5:16

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  Colossians 4:2