If you could print out and read a transcript of your thoughts for the last 24 hours, you may be shocked at what you would discover. According to the prevailing research, you would see that anywhere from 47 to 80 percent of your waking moments were spent thinking about something other than what you were doing at any given time. And just what were you likely thinking about most of that time? Answer: something that occurred in the past or might happen in the future.

When I heard these statistics, I wasn’t surprised to learn that my mind wanders while doing routine tasks. After all, who doesn’t daydream while doing the dishes or taking a shower? What was most shocking was the realization that my mental wandering, like most people’s, was largely focused on matters that aren’t real or valuable. Even worse, our minds are often focused elsewhere even when we are doing non-routine tasks, like working or having dinner with friends.

Other than the obvious downsides, such as not fully applying ourselves to the task at hand or really enjoying the moment, constantly thinking about something in the past or future has far more dangerous consequences. That’s because our recall of past events is highly distorted and our thoughts concerning the future are usually worry-driven. A 2012 study from Northwestern University was the first to demonstrate that memory is like the telephone game — each time an event is recalled it becomes altered in some way. And eventually, it’s nothing like the original.

Our speculation about the future is even worse. A study in the journal Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy concluded that 97 percent of what we worry about either won’t occur (85 percent) or is something that we’ll be able to handle and even learn from (the remaining 12 percent). One HuffPost contributor summed it up this way, “This means that 97 percent of what you worry over is not much more than a fearful mind punishing you with exaggerations and misperceptions.” What’s more, just the activity of worrying causes physical harm to our bodies. So, if even something bad IS going to happen, fretting over it will only make it worse 100 percent of the time.

But this post isn’t about living in the past or dwelling on tomorrow specifically — it’s more about the concept of being present in the moment and focusing on what God has appointed you to do at any given time of the day. So, if you’re one of those who people who think about solving a work problem or dreams about your upcoming vacation while you should be actively listening during a conversation with someone else, then you’re getting roped into this topic as well.

Jesus was all about being present and fully engaged with every task and every person He encountered — for one purpose only. He was here to accomplish His father’s business, and He let nothing — not even His own mind — distract Him from doing the work at hand for the glory of His Father. When Jesus was just 12 years old Luke 2:49 tells us that He already understood His purpose. After his parents found him interacting with scholars in the temple, He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

I know, I know, you’re probably having the same reaction as me — this is Jesus we’re talking about and I don’t even come close to having a ninja mind. I so get it. Focusing on the person in front of me is hard, especially when they’re babbling on and on or whining about the same thing all the time. Keeping my mind from worrying about everything, from my health to work projects, is a battle. And dwelling on past hurts or wanting to relive the good times is always a lingering pest. But as God’s workmanship, He wants to refine us more every day to be like His Son, which means we should be getting better and better — albeit ever so slightly, perhaps — at focusing on His purposes one day at a time.

Jesus knew that our minds would struggle to experience life on a moment by moment basis, trusting both our past and our future to God’s care and direction. To the future trippers out there, Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” For the past dwellers, we read in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” And for anyone who struggles with being fully immersed in God’s purpose and staying focused on the people and tasks He puts in front of us, we read this amazing verse combination. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

Of course, these mind-mastering commands from the Bible are extremely difficult to implement, and we can be tempted to just throw our hands up and give in to distracting thoughts. But like any discipline or exercise, the key is to take it one step at a time. The mind is like a muscle, and its plasticity is reshaped and improved gradually by repeated practice, not a sweeping instant transformation. Each step teaches us to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit for the next step. Hebrews 12:11 says, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” In other words, the process of learning how to be focused in each moment on the persons and tasks God has given you is a lot of hard, uncomfortable work, but if you stick with it, over time your increasing discipline will result in a harvest of blessings.

Habits like dwelling on old losses, not really listening to people when they talk, and giving into worrisome, speculative, or negative thoughts took many years to form in our brains. But the Holy Spirit is ready to do some mental rewiring in your life if you’re willing to practice. Like young Timothy, Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 4:15, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” Paul didn’t mean that Timothy should do it so that people will shower him with compliments, but rather to show the glorious transformation of what God can do when He’s allowed to freely work in His child’s life.

Paying close attention and being fully immersed in whoever or whatever God places in your path on a daily basis isn’t always pleasant. In a world where it seems as though everyone is suffering from FOMO (fear of missing out), slowing down and focusing on the moment and the people you’re with can seem impossible to do. But remember that God is timeless. He operates outside of time. He created time itself. And while we are bound within it, He moves without any of its constraints. So when scripture tells us that He has a plan and a purpose for everything under heaven, we need to suspend our flawed human perspective and grasp of the universe, to believe that in our everyday, ordinary lives the King of the Universe is working for us, not against us… regardless of our timing. And if He can give us His miraculous attention, then the least we can do is be patient and trusting enough to let Him finish His work.
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Americans spend almost $3 billion annually on energy drinks and about one-third of us have coffee in the afternoons. And who knows how many people turn to chocolate or a Diet Coke for a boost to get through the day. All of these tasty – and caffeinated – options will usually do the trick to lift our mood and give us a little kick to power through a long afternoon. But what if a prayer break could deliver similar immediate results, but also pay other long-lasting dividends? Most of us turn to prayer for the big things. Healing from a scary diagnosis. Help out of a financial quagmire. A new job with a boss that treats us better. You get the idea. But what about something as simple as that common, everyday afternoon slump? I don’t mean praying about the slump itself, but what if taking a quick break to pray could actually cure your slump instantly? It’s cheaper than heading to Starbucks, and the studies show it will do you a whole lot more good.
 
More and more clinical and psychological research is showing that prayer and meditation can dramatically improve everything from energy levels to blood pressure. So besides the clearly spiritual reasons to pray, I was curious to explore all the other “fringe” benefits that God has in store for us when we supplement our longer, private quiet time with frequent bouts of conversation with Him throughout the day. Other than Jesus himself, one of the most famous prayer devotees was a monk called Brother Lawrence way back in the 1600s. Although he spent a large portion of his time tending the garden, washing dishes, or performing maintenance on the monastery, he made it his daily passion to pray unceasingly while he worked. As a result, he became convinced that when we do everything “wholly for the love of Him” by inviting God into every moment, we can find complete peace, happiness, and contentment in everyday life. “It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God,” Brother Lawrence said.
 
In our modern, hyper-stimulated world most of us are doing things much more stressful, frustrating or exhausting than picking up a piece of straw or serving in a peaceful mountain monastery, so the tangible benefits of a saying a few prayers several times a day may seem far-fetched. But before you dismiss the idea and head to Starbucks anyway, take a look at these research-backed, amazing benefits that occur when you take a short prayer break. (Quick tip: if you can find time to go to the restroom, then you have a built-in window for a brief prayer. I’ve invited God to walk with me to the bathroom many times!)
 
When you pray…
 
1. Your energy rises as the stress hormone cortisol plummets, helping you to physically feel better and be more productive the rest of the day. There are many studies linking prayer and meditation to a reduction in cortisol and better long-term stress management, but one of the most stunning ones is from Rutgers which showed a 50% reduction in the hormone with routine meditation. Plus, there are a host of other physical improvements that occur following a time of prayer, such as a drop in blood pressure, reduced heart rate, increased melatonin and serotonin levels, and a better immune response. So if you have a stressful job and you incorporate small bursts of prayer throughout the day, you might not get sick as often since your immune system will be stronger over time. Most importantly, if you need an energy boost to conquer that next project, deal with that angry customer, or to simply stop procrastinating, a prayer break can fire up your brain and rejuvenate your ability to focus more effectively than a latte (and it’s calorie free – bonus!).
 
2. Your perspective shifts, opening your mind up to broader, less self-focused opportunities. Dr. Andrew Newberg of Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia has been studying the effect of prayer on the human brain for more than 20 years. When observing the brains of people praying, he says the scans reveal that the area of the brain associated with our sense of self begins to "shut down" in prayer. In other words, if you are less concerned about your own agenda, promotion or protection, you will probably be more receptive to others’ good ideas and less defensive in difficult conversations. Plus, you may be more likely to praise others for their hard work, making it easier for your co-workers, family members or teammates to like you and want to support you.
 
3. Your mood will improve, which will make the rest of day go more smoothly. A study by Columbia University showed that a regular spiritual practice like prayer actually thickens part of the brain’s cortex, which may be the reason that prayer has been shown to not only lift mood but also help prevent depression. Everyone knows a tough day will seem to drag on even longer if your mood continues to tank. Recently, my husband had a difficult day when he ran out of gas on the side of the road because his usual gas station was unexpectedly closed. With the temperature hovering around 15 degrees and a client waiting for him, he had every reason to be frustrated and stressed out. But a quick prayer helped him shift his perspective to be thankful that the car stalled out near another open gas station with a friendly attendant willing to help him. Rather than showing up at the client’s office visibly frazzled and angry, he was relieved and thankful to make it on time. Researchers have found that prayer makes people nicer by reducing the amount of aggression they feel and helping them to maintain their cool in stressful situations.
 
4. Your motivation increases and you’ll be more inclined to finish your tasks with excellence and focus. It may sound like mumbo-jumbo from a self-help book, but the studies clearly indicate that prayer and meditation increase the production of specific brain chemicals that help us concentrate, reduce fatigue, and feel motivated. Of course, if you are striving to work as though you are serving God, then you will naturally want to perform with excellence in whatever you do. And when we invite God into every little thing, the Spirit is going to work in ways you’ve never imagined. Colossians 3:23 and Ephesians 6:7 make it clear that when our motivation is driven by the love of Jesus, whether we are serving in our workplaces, volunteering in our communities, or helping our families, then we will find a lasting satisfaction that has eternal significance. So the next time you think filing paperwork or washing dishes isn’t satisfying, pray while you’re doing those kinds of chores and see if your motivation doesn’t change.
 
5. Your ability to make decisions and generate more creative solutions will skyrocket. One of the most ironic things about being human is that the more we strain to make something happen, the less likely it seems to become. Whether it's writer’s block, feeling paralyzed in the face of a big decision, or trying to find your soul mate, some of life’s greatest irony is to be found in unmet goals and faded dreams. I’ve personally experienced it many times and I’ve witnessed in the lives of countless friends, but when you practice turning things over to Christ and release them to His control in prayer, one of two things happens. He either opens the door in His time in a way you didn’t expect, or He changes your heart’s desires to long for the things He has for you. The Bible makes it clear that we can boldly go to the throne room of grace and ask God for what He’s already promised us. James 1:5 says that God gives wisdom freely to all those who seek it from Him. Philippians 4:7 promises peace. A “living” hope is promised in 1 Peter 1:3-4. Strength is provided for those who wait on the Lord in Isaiah 40:31.
 
When it is creativity that we need, praying is like tapping into a superhighway directly hooked into the Source of all creativity. By God’s amazing design, praying helps to stimulate our neocortex, which is the newest part of our brain responsible for creativity, problem solving and strategizing. So when you feel the pressure to summon the most innovative ideas from within, the best place to find them is where God leads you in prayer or meditating on Him. As author Stephen Altrogge says in his blog post, “Creativity is hardwired into our DNA by God Himself. All of us were made to be creative people. God, the greatest of all creators, the One who fashioned the sun, and the humpback whale, and the Great Dane, made us in His image.” So next time you are stumped, blocked, frustrated, confused, stressed, or just plain drained, try prayer instead of something with caffeine or sugar. And when you’re not experiencing any of those things, pray in advance to ward off those feelings before they can take hold and drag you down. Brother Lawrence said, “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.”
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