Faith waivering

[ewohdrol]

I am losing faith. It makes me sad yet no matter what I try I feel like it is slipping.

I live in a very spiritually dry area (not the US). I don’t know anyone in my parish. Members are either much older or from a different cultural group (who keep to themselves). I’ve tried different prishes to no avail.

I don’t have any friends who are catholic. A few who are christian. My husband isn’t catholic but very supportive of whatever I feel appropriate. However he is unlikely to push/encourage in the right direction.

I have tried novenas. Increasing devotions. Spent time in front of the eucharist. Listened to EWTN. Praying actually in many ways makes it worse because I feel empty and nothing. I feel God doesn’t care (or just not there).

I grew up in a very traditional home (latin community) which to be honest has scarred me. My spiritual upbringing was one of fear, guilt and conspiracy theories of end times. Evertime I try to get too deep in scripture the panic returns and I tune out. Rosaries are very hard to complete due to this.

Advice of pray more, while appreciated has been done. For years.
Anyone else?

 

[Vico]

…

Great saints have had this occur also, so you are not alone. And you may be a great saint and not know it!

You may be able to see the reflection of God in good people and designs in nature.

Catechism

2726 In the battle of prayer, we must face in ourselves and around us erroneous notions of prayer . Some people view prayer as a simple psychological activity, others as an effort of concentration to reach a mental void. Still others reduce prayer to ritual words and postures. Many Christians unconsciously regard prayer as an occupation that is incompatible with all the other things they have to do: they “don’t have the time.” Those who seek God by prayer are quickly discouraged because they do not know that prayer comes also from the Holy Spirit and not from themselves alone.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

You might try reading about St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta, who struggled with doubt and dryness for her whole life, and said if she ever became a saint she would be a “saint of darkness”.

Amazon.com

 

[Joe_5859]

Advice of pray more, while appreciated has been done. For years.

Prayer is key, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a multiplication of devotions that either bring bad memories or else do not resonate with you at the moment. We all need to spend that time with the Lord. We cannot expect things to improve without it.

As the previous posters have said, spiritual dryness is common among the saints, and I’d venture to guess everyone experiences it at some point or another. Mother Teresa is a great one to read up on for this. I have found the book Drinking from a Dry Well to be helpful in understanding this dryness, too.

I will say a prayer for you.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Just simply count your blessings each day, at the end of the day, before you sleep. Be thankful for all God gives to you.