Feeling spiritually dry

[starchick21]

Hey, guys! Lately, I’ve been feeling unsatisfied in my faith. I’m a freshman in college, and I’ve made some wonderful friends at my university’s Catholic Newman Center. I admire them so much, and I love how enthusiastic and on fire they are for the faith. I really wish I could be like that, but I’m not, and I don’t know why. They’ve talked about how they feel God’s presence and hear him speaking to them when they pray, but whenever I pray, I feel nothing. It just feels so empty, like no one is listening. I don’t like this feeling. It’s truly awful. Also, when I go to Mass, I can’t help but notice how devoted and into it everyone else is. I feel like I’m just going through the motions, and I even ask myself sometimes, “Do I really believe in all this?” I’m scared of thinking this way, and I don’t want to end up losing my faith. It’s just so hard, and so frustrating. What am I doing wrong, and why don’t I feel God’s presence in my life? If anyone could help me out, I’d greatly appreciate it

 

[Latinitas]

Hey, guys! Lately, I’ve been feeling unsatisfied in my faith. I’m a freshman in college, and I’ve made some wonderful friends at my university’s Catholic Newman Center. I admire them so much, and I love how enthusiastic and on fire they are for the faith. I really wish I could be like that, but I’m not, and I don’t know why. They’ve talked about how they feel God’s presence and hear him speaking to them when they pray, but whenever I pray, I feel nothing. It just feels so empty, like no one is listening. I don’t like this feeling. It’s truly awful. Also, when I go to Mass, I can’t help but notice how devoted and into it everyone else is. I feel like I’m just going through the motions, and I even ask myself sometimes, “Do I really believe in all this?” I’m scared of thinking this way, and I don’t want to end up losing my faith. It’s just so hard, and so frustrating. What am I doing wrong, and why don’t I feel God’s presence in my life? If anyone could help me out, I’d greatly appreciate it

You must remember that faith is theological virtue, it is the “confidence in things hoped for, the conviction of thing unseen” (Heb. 11:1), and this is “not from ourselves, but it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Consequently, if you want to increase your faith, you must pray for that grace, like the father of the boy possessed by demons did when he prayed “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mk. 9:24).

So, don’t worry about how you feel. Pray, hope, and don’t worry. These were St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)'s favorite words.

I’ll pray for you,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas

 

[mh2007]

You are not alone. Although some people claim they hear God speaking to them, it is difficult to know if that really occurs. I don’t get personal direct answers when praying. But I do get inspiration, or ideas sometimes surface as a result of prayer.

I too have felt others appear to have greater devotion. Maybe they are more comfortable in outwardly expressing their faith and prayers. My approach has been to use a Roman Missal so I could read along with all parts of the Mass - not just the Epistles and Gospel, but all of the Mass prayers. By more actively participating and reading along, you can get deeper into it. There is also private prayer. He won’t let you down.

 

[tskrobacz]

Sometimes the sense of spiritual dryness is God giving himself to you fully as the sense of spiritual dryness. Be attentive to what this may be calling you to and be patient.

 

[midori]

Reading the works of the saints really helped me during difficult periods. Also, doing some sort of charitable outreach also helped as well-- soup kitchen, food pantry, Meals on Wheels, reading at nursing homes… that sort of thing. Those kept my brain and my body busy, even when my heart isn’t really feeling what it ought to feel.

Pick one corporal and one spiritual work of mercy to perform each day.

Get a digital copy of something written by a great saint. Put it on your phone. Read a few pages whenever you’re sitting idle somewhere.

Good luck!

 

[RitasKid]

They say to never compare your insides to their outsides. I look good and I’m a genuine sinner.

 

[WT1]

Hey, guys! Lately, I’ve been feeling unsatisfied in my faith. I’m a freshman in college, and I’ve made some wonderful friends at my university’s Catholic Newman Center. I admire them so much, and I love how enthusiastic and on fire they are for the faith. I really wish I could be like that, but I’m not, and I don’t know why. They’ve talked about how they feel God’s presence and hear him speaking to them when they pray, but whenever I pray, I feel nothing. It just feels so empty, like no one is listening. I don’t like this feeling. It’s truly awful. Also, when I go to Mass, I can’t help but notice how devoted and into it everyone else is. I feel like I’m just going through the motions, and I even ask myself sometimes, “Do I really believe in all this?” I’m scared of thinking this way, and I don’t want to end up losing my faith. It’s just so hard, and so frustrating. What am I doing wrong, and why don’t I feel God’s presence in my life? If anyone could help me out, I’d greatly appreciate it

You are not alone! I’ve never heard God speak either and I don’t really expect to in my lifetime but I do know he is real. Here are some suggestions that I think might help you:

Knowledge is power and practice makes perfect so how about doing the following:

A. The Mass, which is a Eucharistic celebration, is the very center of Catholic life so find books that explain the elements of the Mass and learn all you can. The more you learn the more involved in the Mass you will become.

B. Pray and ask Christ and the Holy Mother for help. If you do not pray the Rosary daily start and ask for absolute faith as your intention.

C. Seek opportunities for adoration if there is a 24 hour adoration chapel in your area seek it out and spend time there. Ask the physical presence of Christ to seek you out, open your heart to it and remember rarely are his answers dynamic but just subtle “touches”.

Youth can very much get in the way it did for me so be patient and just trust in Christ. Your spiritual life is a marathon not a sprint and takes much preparation to get ready for it. Good luck my friend and may God bless your life and efforts.

 

[Beryllos]

You didn’t say what else you might be doing with regard to your faith. It might be time to join a Bible study group, Catechism study group, or one of the other faith-building ministries offered at the Newman Center (if you haven’t already done so). Going to Mass is excellent, and solitary prayer is great, but you might find it energizing and inspiring to share experiences and insights with other Catholics as you learn about and discuss our faith. Look in the bulletin, check out the website, or talk to someone at the Newman Center to find out what they offer.

I am praying for you, that the Holy Spirit will strengthen your faith and bring you joy and peace.

 

[Rynard]

Well, good question, and an interesting dilemma.

As a personal story, I prayed the Rosary every night for six months (haha, and now I don’t do it anymore? well, I still pray it, but not kneeling as that is pretty difficult for me), and it was the first time I had really dedicated myself to prayer like this, being I was a Protestant convert.

Well, for the first, probably five months, I didn’t feel anything. I was just uninspired, nothing moving me, and like you said, I felt dry. But suddenly, during the sixth month, I began to feel God’s calling and inspiration. I recall resting my head on a crucifix hung on the wall, and feeling a special presence through my body. But it took the first five months of wondering.

I don’t mean to discourage you and say it will either take as long, or so on, but even as a now seasoned Catholic, prayer is something that is very unique and special.

Honestly, God has not granted me the grace of His presence for at least four years. That was the last time I had prayed the Rosary on my knees and felt His blessings upon my whole body. So either you are on the right track, or God is again calling you to remember some prayers you might need to say. Hard to diagnose, but that’s that.

Thanks for posting here with your dilemma. I got something out of it, as I hope you do too.