If you’ve ever sat down to pray and felt distracted, restless, or “somewhere else,” you’re not unusual. Many of us know what it’s like to want to pray but struggle to bring our full attention to it. We show up physically—but our minds are racing, half-present, half-elsewhere.
What’s often missing isn’t technique but attitude. And one of the most transformative attitudes of prayer—yet one of the most overlooked—is purity of heart.
What Does “Purity of Heart” Even Mean?
At first glance, “purity of heart” might sound like a lofty biblical phrase, or something reserved for saints. But it isn’t about moral perfection, nor is it restricted to a select few. In its simplest sense, purity of heart means wanting what God wants—not just in big moments, but in the everyday choices of life.
It’s the difference between:
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praying because you should, and praying because you desire communion with God
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offering a quick formula of words, and offering your entire heart
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seeking prayer as a task, and seeking prayer as a relationship
This inner orientation—the state of a heart that genuinely seeks God—is what actually transforms prayer from “something I do” into “somewhere I meet God.”
Why Purity of Heart Matters for Prayer
Purity of heart isn’t a prerequisite we must earn before God will listen. It’s an attitude God helps us grow into as we pray. When your heart is soft, sincere, and honestly open to God’s presence, prayer becomes clearer, deeper, and more life-changing.
In Reclaimed: Win the War of Freedom, Self-Mastery, and Holy Purity, Fr. Carter Griffin explores how inward freedom and purity shape how we approach everything—including prayer. When we let go of interior clutter—anxiety, pride, distraction—prayer becomes a doorway instead of a duty.
Three Everyday Ways to Cultivate Purity of Heart
You don’t need extraordinary experiences to grow closer to God. Purity of heart grows wherever there’s honesty, attentiveness, and surrender. Here are some practical, everyday ways to nurture it:
1. Begin with an Honest “Here I Am”
Before launching into a long prayer, try this simple approach:
Sit quietly and say to God (silently or out loud):
“Here I am—open to You, even if I’m distracted.”
You don’t have to have perfect focus. Offer what you have. This honest start softens resistance and invites God into the real state of your heart.
2. Notice What Competes for Your Attention
Purity of heart isn’t about ignoring life’s responsibilities—it’s about noticing what pulls your heart away from God.
Ask yourself:
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What do I think about most when I’m trying to pray?
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What thoughts invite me closer to God?
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What thoughts pull me toward worry, judgment, or self-focus?
Noticing these patterns isn’t self-criticism—it’s awareness. Awareness leads to choice.
3. Practice Small Acts of Interior Fidelity
Purity of heart is built by simple, repeated choices—not grand gestures. This might include:
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pausing briefly to offer your day to God
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making the sign of the cross with intention
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praying for someone who irritates you
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offering a moment of frustration to Christ
These tiny acts reflect a heart that consistently turns toward God instead of away.
Prayer Isn’t Perfect. It’s Present.
One thing you’ll notice in Reclaimed is that Fr. Griffin doesn’t present purity as a destination only the most pious reach. Instead, he offers it as a daily battle and a grace-filled journey. Purity of heart isn’t an achievement—it’s an attitude you cooperate with, one moment at a time.
So if your prayer life feels cluttered, distracting, or distant this year, start with where you are. A heart open to God—even imperfectly—is a heart God can heal, guide, and transform.
Heaven doesn’t wait for perfection.
He joins you in your real journey toward purity—one humble step at a time.
