In many spiritual traditions, symbols are used to reveal deeper truths. One such symbol is the incense altar, which represents our prayer life. A unique feature of this altar is a raised edge or border called a crown, often made of gold—signifying something precious and valuable.
This “crown” serves a practical purpose: it prevents the incense from falling off. In the same way, our mind must be strengthened to keep our prayers steady and focused. Without that inner strength, our prayer life can easily weaken or “fall off.”
- The incense altar represents our prayer life
- The crown represents a strong mind that protects our prayer
Just like the raised edge prevents incense from falling off, our mind must be strong to keep our prayers from “falling off.”
Four Ways Prayer Can “Fall Off”
1. External Worries
- Worry attacks your mind and prevents free prayer
- You may want to pray, but your mind resists
Solution: Build a Crown of Faith
- Faith removes worry
- Faith trusts that God is in control
- Even in uncertainty, faith brings rest
One of the biggest obstacles to prayer is external worry. When your mind is full of anxiety, it becomes difficult to pray freely. Even if you want to pray, your thoughts may resist or feel overwhelmed.
How to Overcome It: Build Faith
Faith acts like a protective wall for your mind. It reminds you that:
- God is in control
- Circumstances don’t define outcomes
- Peace is possible even in uncertainty
When faith grows, worry loses its grip. Instead of being consumed by problems, your mind finds rest in trust.
👉 Ask: Is something disturbing my prayer life?
👉 Pray for stronger faith
2. Distraction
- The mind easily wanders from one thought to another
- You start praying, but soon you’re thinking about something else
Solution: Build a Crown of Praise
- A lack of praise leads to vain imaginations (Romans 1:21)
- Praising God strengthens focus
The human mind is powerful—but also easily distracted. You may begin praying sincerely, only to find your thoughts drifting from one idea to another.
This mental wandering can quickly pull you away from prayer without you even realizing it.
How to Overcome It: Practice Praise
A powerful way to anchor your mind is through praise. When you actively focus on gratitude and worship:
- Your thoughts become centered
- Your mind becomes disciplined
- Distractions lose their pull
A lack of praise often leads to scattered thinking, while a lifestyle of praise strengthens focus and clarity.
👉 Practice: Regularly praise God to discipline your mind
3. Inconsistency in Prayer
- Example: Planning to pray 2 hours but stopping after 10 minutes
- After a short time, focus drops and prayer ends
Many people struggle with consistency. You may plan to pray for a long time, but after a few minutes, your energy fades and your focus drops.
Over time, this creates a pattern where prayer becomes brief and routine instead of deep and growing.
How to Overcome It: Train Your Mind
Spiritual growth requires discipline. To strengthen consistency:
- Set aside dedicated time for prayer
- Remove distractions (especially your phone)
- Stay committed even when it feels difficult
Just like physical exercise builds strength, regular prayer builds endurance. Your capacity will grow over time if you remain consistent.
👉 Prayer life should grow, not stay the same for years
👉 Train yourself to increase prayer time gradually
4. “Privatized” Prayer Life
- Prayer is limited to church or specific moments
- Outside those times, there is no connection with God
Solution: Build a Relationship with God
- Prayer should be continuous, not occasional
- A real relationship doesn’t need reminders
Examples:
- Daniel prayed three times daily despite being busy
- Many people of faith maintain regular prayer disciplines daily
How to Overcome It: Build a Relationship
Prayer is not just a routine—it’s a relationship.
Think about a close friend. You don’t need reminders to talk to them; communication happens naturally. In the same way, your connection with God should extend beyond scheduled prayer times.
You can:
- Talk to God throughout your day
- Pray silently while traveling or working
- Stay inwardly connected even during daily activities
This transforms prayer from an event into a lifestyle.
👉 Practice:
- Pray even with your eyes open (while walking, traveling, etc.)
- Carry the “warmth” of prayer into daily life
🛠️ Practical Steps to Strengthen Prayer
- For worries → Build faith
- For distractions → Practice praise
- For inconsistency → Train discipline and expand prayer time
- For limited prayer → Develop a daily relationship with God
Tips:
- Turn off your phone during prayer
- Protect your focus
- Use free time intentionally for prayer
- Stay connected with God throughout the day
God has shown ways to strengthen your mind and protect your prayer life.
- Yield to the Holy Spirit
- Let Him build these “crowns” in your life
- Move from weak, short prayers to a strong and continuous connection with God
A strong prayer life doesn’t happen by accident—it is built intentionally. Just like the crown on the incense altar protects what is placed on it, you must build inner strength to protect your focus, your faith, and your connection with God.
As you grow, prayer will no longer feel like an obligation. It will become a natural, steady, and meaningful part of your life.
Start small. Stay consistent. And let your prayer life grow deeper each day.
Source: A paraphrase of a sermon presented by a preacher.
