Your mind feels like a browser with 77 tabs open, three of them playing music you can’t find, and somehow you’re still expected to focus on the Sunday sermon that lost you at minute two. Living with ADHD in faith communities can feel isolating when everyone else seems to effortlessly sit still during prayer, remember Scripture verses, and follow through on commitments while your brain bounces between seventeen different thoughts before the pastor finishes his opening sentence.
Maybe you struggle with sitting through long services, feel overwhelmed by busy church environments, or beat yourself up for forgetting to read your Bible again. Perhaps well-meaning people have suggested you just need more discipline or that medication shows a lack of faith. The shame spiral is real when your neurotype doesn’t fit the traditional molds of “good Christian behavior,” and you wonder if God made a mistake when He wired your brain this way.
But here’s what I’ve discovered walking alongside people with ADHD in their faith journey: God doesn’t expect you to worship, learn, or serve Him the same way neurotypical people do, and your unique brain wiring might actually be a gift rather than a burden to overcome.
Bible Verses for Managing ADHD and Faith
1. Psalm 139:14 – I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
New International Version (NIV)
2. 1 Corinthians 12:18 – God Has Placed Each Part in the Body
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I Formed You in the Womb I Knew You
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Ephesians 2:10 – We Are God’s Handiwork
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Romans 12:6 – We Have Different Gifts
According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – There Are Varieties of Gifts
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things Through Christ
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
King James Version (KJV)
8. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient for You
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Romans 8:26 – The Spirit Intercedes for Us
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
The Message (MSG)
10. Philippians 1:6 – He Who Began a Good Work in You
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Isaiah 55:8-9 – My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways, declares the Lord. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
New English Translation (NET)
12. 1 Samuel 16:7 – The Lord Looks at the Heart
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, All Who Are Weary
Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble. And you will find rest for your souls. Serving me is easy, and my load is light.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – A Time for Everything
Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Proverbs 16:9 – A Person Plans His Course
People can make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. James 1:17 – Every Good Gift Is from Above
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. He never changes like the shifting shadows.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know That I Am God
Stop your striving and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Wait on the Lord
But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Philippians 4:19 – My God Will Supply All Your Needs
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. 1 Peter 4:10 – Each One Should Use Whatever Gift He Has
According as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Romans 8:28 – All Things Work Together for Good
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. 1 Corinthians 1:27 – God Chose the Foolish Things
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Psalm 37:23 – The Steps of a Good Man Are Ordered by the Lord
The steps of a man are established by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear
For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power, and love, and discipline.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Proverbs 27:14 – Plans Are Established by Seeking Advice
Purposes are established by counsel, And by counsels make thou war.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. Colossians 3:23 – Whatever You Do, Work at It with All Your Heart
And whatever ye do, work heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Isaiah 43:19 – See, I Am Doing a New Thing
Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Habakkuk 2:3 – The Vision Awaits Its Appointed Time
For yit the visioun is fer, and it schal appere in to ende, and schal not lie; if it schal make dwellyng, abide thou it, for it comynge schal come, and schal not tarie.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Proverbs 19:21 – Many Are the Plans in a Person’s Heart
There are many deuises in a mans heart: but the counsell of the Lord shall stand.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage One Another
Wherfore comfort your selues together, and edifie one another, euen as ye also do.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Galatians 6:9 – Let Us Not Become Weary in Doing Good
Let vs not be very of well doynge: for when the tyme is full come we shall repe with outen werines.
Tyndale Bible
32. Ephesians 4:16 – From Him the Whole Body Grows
Under his direction the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Romans 12:2 – Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. 1 Corinthians 14:33 – God Is Not a God of Disorder
For God is not the author of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Psalm 119:105 – Your Word Is a Lamp for My Feet
Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Managing ADHD and Faith
Scripture presents a God who creates incredible diversity in how minds work and how people contribute to His kingdom. Rather than demanding conformity to a single neurotypical standard, the Bible celebrates the variety of gifts, perspectives, and ways of processing the world that different people bring. The body of Christ metaphor in 1 Corinthians specifically emphasizes that what might seem like weaknesses or differences are actually essential parts of how God designed His people to function together.
What strikes me most about the biblical approach to neurodivergence is how it focuses on heart posture rather than outward performance metrics. God looks at the heart, not whether you can sit still during a three-hour service or memorize Scripture at the same pace as others. The stories of biblical figures like David, who seemed to have boundless energy and creativity, or Paul, whose intense focus and passionate nature might suggest neurodivergent traits, show us that God uses people exactly as He made them. Scripture validates that spiritual growth looks different for everyone and that managing ADHD symptoms can be part of stewarding the unique brain God gave you.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, sometimes I feel like my ADHD brain doesn’t fit into traditional expressions of faith. I struggle to sit still during long services, my mind wanders during prayer, and I beat myself up for forgetting spiritual disciplines that seem to come easily to others. Help me to remember that You created my brain exactly as it is, with all its unique wiring and processing patterns.
Show me how to worship, learn, and serve You in ways that work with my neurotype rather than against it. When I feel scattered or overwhelmed, remind me that You see my heart’s desire to know You, even when my execution feels messy. Help me find spiritual practices and community expressions that engage my whole self.
Give me wisdom in managing my ADHD symptoms while pursuing spiritual growth. Surround me with people who understand that different doesn’t mean less valuable in Your kingdom. Help me use my unique perspective, creativity, and energy as gifts rather than burdens to overcome.
When shame tries to tell me I’m not spiritual enough or disciplined enough, replace those lies with the truth that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Use my ADHD journey to develop empathy and create space for other neurodivergent people in faith communities.
In Jesus’ name, Am
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.