Some see prayer as flight from the world, and any kind of quietism should be avoided. While these perspectives on prayer truly describe the views of some, they are genuine temptations for us all. They are the antagonists in the battle of prayer. If we are not vigilant, we can be seduced into believing that the will to pray comes from us alone and so can be easily disregarded. But prayer springs from the Holy Spirit as well, who can not be so easily ignored.
Distraction is the scourge of prayer.
It is the ever-present diversion of our attention away from the true object of prayer and toward another attachment. When we think about which is truly more important in our lives, the mystery of God or whatever stimulus causes our heart to wander, the response is self-evident. The humble response to that question often calls us to reconsideration of the object of our prayer in the first place. But another distraction will appear, and one after that. The self can be possessive and dominating.