Rekindling the Flame

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Suudy

Suudy

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I was received into the Church last Easter after two years (well, really 31 years, but only 2 of any seriousness) of searching. Leading up to last Easter, I was on fire with my devotion to Jesus and His church. I read everything I could get my hands on, I prayed nearly every day, I went to daily mass (as daily as it gets here on MWF), and I would pray the rosary 3-4 times a week. And the whole season of Lent was a source of real renewal and introspection. Then came the Easter Vigil, my confirmation, and first communion. It was powerful! I never felt quite so overcome with awe and devotion.

But since then, I’ve lost a lot of that flame. I don’t pray the rosary as often, perhaps 1 every 3-4 weeks. My prayer life has really slacked off, and my daily mass attendance has basically stopped. Even my weekend attendance has suffered. I still read a lot and am still fascinated with the Church. At mass I get distracted, even impatient for it to end. I don’t feel the reverence I used to feel at mass.

Has anyone else gone through such a dry spell? What have people done to get that fire back? I want to get back to where I was, but I’m struggling with motivation and enthusiasim. Any ideas?
 
You’re not alone! Not only is the dry time common, it is actually necessary.

Basically, prayer and devotion is not a result of the fire. Fire is a result of prayer and devotion. Loving God and being devoted to him is an act of the will, inspired by love, not something we do because we’re excited about it.

All those moving into the Christian life go through this phase, for God desires to purify us, and make our devotion pure. WHen our devotion has been made complete, not relying on emotional support, then the fire becomes that much brighter.

God bless!
Josh
 
Today’s the Feast of St. Francis de Sales and I was reading a little of his writings and I happened to read something that’s right on point 🙂 :

Why, Theotimus, did Amnon the son of David love Thamar so desperately that he even thought he should die of love? Do you think that it was she herself that he loved? You soon see it was not. Look at this man who prays, apparently, with such great devotion, and is so ardent in the practice of heavenly love. But stay a little, and you will discover whether it be God indeed whom he loves. Alas! as soon as the delight and satisfaction which he took in love departs, and dryness comes, he will stop short, and only casually pray. If it had been God 392indeed whom he loved, why should he cease loving him, since God is ever God? It was therefore the consolations of God that he loved, not the God of consolation. In truth there are many who take no delight in divine love unless it be candied in the sugar of some sensible sweetness, and they would willingly act like children, who, if they have a little honey spread upon their bread, lick and suck off the honey, casting the bread away; for if the delight could be separated from the love, they would reject love and take the sweetness only. Wherefore as they follow love for the sake of its sweetness, when they find not this they make no account of love. But such persons are exposed to a great danger of either turning back as soon as they miss their relish and consolations, or else of occupying themselves in vain sweetnesses, far remote from true love, and of mistaking the honey of Heraclea for that of Narbonne.

ccel.org/ccel/desales/love.x.x.html
 
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Suudy:
I was received into the Church last Easter after two years (well, really 31 years, but only 2 of any seriousness) of searching. Leading up to last Easter, I was on fire with my devotion to Jesus and His church. I read everything I could get my hands on, I prayed nearly every day, I went to daily mass (as daily as it gets here on MWF), and I would pray the rosary 3-4 times a week. And the whole season of Lent was a source of real renewal and introspection. Then came the Easter Vigil, my confirmation, and first communion. It was powerful! I never felt quite so overcome with awe and devotion.

But since then, I’ve lost a lot of that flame. I don’t pray the rosary as often, perhaps 1 every 3-4 weeks. My prayer life has really slacked off, and my daily mass attendance has basically stopped. Even my weekend attendance has suffered. I still read a lot and am still fascinated with the Church. At mass I get distracted, even impatient for it to end. I don’t feel the reverence I used to feel at mass.

Has anyone else gone through such a dry spell? What have people done to get that fire back? I want to get back to where I was, but I’m struggling with motivation and enthusiasim. Any ideas?
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Emotions are fickle. We are called to know, love and serve God and there is no guarantee we will feel ecstatic about it at every moment. You mentioned that your prayer life has diminished. If you were thinking to yourself that you needed to walk more the way to solve that problem would be to get out and walk. The same is true here. If you notice a drop in your prayer habits then it’s time to jump start that aspect of your spiritual life. Don’t let it all get you down. Distractions, the temptation to avoid weekday Mass, etc. these are part of being human and the way to fight it is to start doing the things you have mentioned your not doing. Increase your communication with God. Visit Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Talk to him, he knows what’s going on in your life. Don’t feel your alone, read 1 Peter 5:6-10. In fact, try to read scripture every day.

God bless…
 
Sometimes getting involved in a Church ministry helps you feel more a part of the community, helps you get to know other people and gets you excited about going to Church again, and to pray for whatever ministry you’re involved with.

I have found a weekly adoration hour is very helpful in keeping me centered on Jesus. Sometimes I pray quietly, sometimes I read, sometimes I pray a rosary or chaplet or sing (if I’m alone). As with any relationship, you have to spend time with Jesus to keep it “kindled.”

What about joining or starting a bible study yourself, or getting together with some friends once a week to pray? Reconnect with those who went through the RCIA process with you – teachers, sponsors, other catechumens and candidates. Maybe you’d like to become a sponsor yourself.

God knows how you are feeling, just express that to Him and ask the Holy Spirit to give you that spark and lead you to the next steps in growing closer to Our Lord.

You can also offer this time of dryness to Our Lord for the benefit of yourself and/or others; this is called redemptive suffering.

God bless!
 
Along with all the other fine comments and suggestions, I would add that this is the time for you to learn to discipline your heart, mind and body. The best way to do that is to have a daily routine that you do not vary except for emergencies or serious family concerns.

Pray some form of Morning and Evening Prayer at a designated time each day. Read the daily Mass readings before or after attending the daily Mass or just as spiritual reading. Pray just one decade of the rosary every day and work you way up to more if you have the time, etc, etc.

You see, God isn’t interested in what you think you should be getting from him. Rather, he is concerned that you give him yourself, in season and out, hot or cold, on fire or not. Just like eating 3 sensible meals a day, so should you be in the practice of your faith.
 
I echo the previous post by Della.

We must remember that when the Lord takes away the “good feelings” that sometimes comes with prayer, reading spiritual books, going to Mass, etc., it is because he wants us to mature spiritually. We mustn’t do those things because of how good it makes us feel…but for the love of the Lord.

If we don’t accept his invitation to go forward in spite of not getting the “good feelings” then we are giving in to what the enemy would want us to do.
 
I want to thank everyone for their responses. I’ve put a lot of thought into what was said, and that is helped a lot. I’ve also noticed a number of posts here about the same thing, and they’ve all been helpful. I know it’s only a couple of days since I posted, but during those last couple things have improved.

There has to be a better way to express it, but I think I had to grit my teeth and get down to work. I feel like it shouldn’t be work–and it isn’t once I get started–to pray and attend mass. But it is accurate to say that I have to motivate myself. My obedience to God and His Church is important at these times.

Tuesday night I took the time to sit down and pray. I prayed the rosary and felt much more peaceful. Last night I went to reconciliation and things improved immensely. Another rosary last night and things are better. Now the prayers are coming easier. I still struggle with taking the time to pray, but once I’m involved I’m very glad I did. I plan on attending mass today at noon at the local college, and I hope this gets me back on the path.

Thanks a lot to everyone who responded!
 
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Suudy:
I want to thank everyone for their responses. I’ve put a lot of thought into what was said, and that is helped a lot. I’ve also noticed a number of posts here about the same thing, and they’ve all been helpful. I know it’s only a couple of days since I posted, but during those last couple things have improved.

There has to be a better way to express it, but I think I had to grit my teeth and get down to work. I feel like it shouldn’t be work–and it isn’t once I get started–to pray and attend mass. But it is accurate to say that I have to motivate myself. My obedience to God and His Church is important at these times.

Tuesday night I took the time to sit down and pray. I prayed the rosary and felt much more peaceful. Last night I went to reconciliation and things improved immensely. Another rosary last night and things are better. Now the prayers are coming easier. I still struggle with taking the time to pray, but once I’m involved I’m very glad I did. I plan on attending mass today at noon at the local college, and I hope this gets me back on the path.

Thanks a lot to everyone who responded!
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That is good to hear! Just remember that no matter how long someone is following the Lord, there are times when he has to apply himself to prayer and Sacraments without having any pleasure in it, just an act of the will. The Lord blesses us and helps us to spiritually mature through these times.
 
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Suudy:
I But since then, I’ve lost a lot of that flame. I don’t pray the rosary as often, perhaps 1 every 3-4 weeks. My prayer life has really slacked off, and my daily mass attendance has basically stopped. Even my weekend attendance has suffered. I still read a lot and am still fascinated with the Church. At mass I get distracted, even impatient for it to end. I don’t feel the reverence I used to feel at mass.
?
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by your testimony first you slacked of in prayer, then you “lost the flame”. do you see a connnection? feeling has very little to do with your spiritual condition or progress. fidelity has everything to do with it.
 
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