Episode Details

We are not auto-focus cameras. In a world engineered to capture every ounce of your attention, how do you keep your focus on God? In Part 10 of our "Made for Something" series, Pastor Mike Woodruff offers two old ideas that still work in a modern, distracted world.

First, establish a daily time with God. Mike finds mornings best, and even a few minutes is enough, though he'd recommend more. Just stop and be with him: talk, sit in silence, read his Word, pray. Drawing on Matthew 6, where Jesus says to go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen, Mike explains why this isn't about performance, fancy vocabulary, or sounding spiritual. Under the new covenant, God is everywhere, so your living room corner, kitchen table, or bus seat will do. Second, stay in ongoing conversation with God throughout the day. Mike points to Daniel praying at an open window three times a day, the psalmist praising God seven times daily in Psalm 119, and Brother Lawrence, who practiced the presence of God while washing dishes. Some people even set a phone reminder every 30 minutes to pause and pray for the person in front of them. Mike's caution: this isn't meant to become legalism, but to cultivate an awareness of God's presence that guides your day.

This is Part 10 of our multi-week series on being made for something greater than yourself, focused on worship as a whole-life response to God.

📖 Scripture focus: Matthew 6:6; Daniel 6:10; Psalm 119:164
🎙️ Speaker: Pastor Mike Woodruff
📅 "Made for Something" Devotional Series, a multi-week journey into purpose and calling

In this devotional you'll learn:

• Why focus is the great challenge of worship in a world wired to distract us
• How to build a simple daily time with God, even if you only have a few minutes
• What Jesus means in Matthew 6 by going to your room and praying in private
• Why you don't need special words or a special place to worship God
• What Daniel, the writer of Psalm 119, and Brother Lawrence teach us about constant prayer
• Practical ways to stay aware of God's presence throughout your day

👉 New to our devotionals? We post short, daily devotionals designed to help you start your day grounded in Scripture. "Made for Something" is a multi-week series exploring purpose, calling, and what it means to be made on purpose, for a purpose.

Frequently asked:
How do I stay focused on God when I'm constantly distracted? Mike suggests two time-tested habits: set aside a daily time (and ideally a place) to be alone with God, and cultivate ongoing conversation with him throughout the day through short, spontaneous prayers.
What does Jesus mean by "go to your room and close the door" in Matthew 6? Jesus is teaching that prayer isn't a performance. It's meant to be a private, honest time with your Father, free from the need to impress anyone.
What does it mean to "practice the presence of God"? Popularized by Brother Lawrence, who prayed and stayed alert to God while washing dishes, it means living with a constant awareness of God's presence in ordinary moments, not just during formal prayer times.

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