What do you do during a period of spiritual dryness?

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pulchraesamicamea

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After I’ve converted in 2015, I’ve been trying to follow the ways of Christ even amidst a mental illness, and later my genetic disease.

But now I’ve reached a period of spiritual dryness, in which I’m struggling to pray. Maybe I’m physically worn out, or I’m just exhausted due to fatigue- I’m not exactly sure why I feel so spiritually dry.

I used to spend hours with Christ, spend time with the Lord in prayer, and pray often, but now I don’t find the strength nor the fervor to pray to Him.

Nonetheless I still love Him with all of my heart. There are moments when my love for Christ and Mary springs from my heart, but I’m just struggling to pray or to connect with Our Mother and Christ.

What should I do during this period of spiritual dryness? I’m just worried that my physical disease and fatigue will render me impossible to continue connecting with God.

Pax et bonum.
 
Keep trying to do a little bit every day. Even if its just 15 minutes. Also, try a different form of prayer.

I know what you mean as I am tired too. I think dealing with this pandemic and all the changes it brings have made us all tired. I’ve also found that the Vatican, priests etc seem to have ramped up all their calls for us to pray, which is understandable and not a bad thing, but I’m getting exhausted from all the “demands” and have to say No to a few prayer programs.
 
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pulchraesamicamea said:
Nonetheless I still love Him with all of my heart.
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In which case I would say you have nothing whatever to worry about. Our levels of energy and interest in any one thing very naturally vary from day to day, week to week, month to month etc. At times like you describe I just relax toward it, speak with God as I go about my daily tasks, and read a chapter of scripture in the evening. Let’s face it, for the great majority of us, life is pretty much filled with very ordinary and often mundane and repetitive chores. I don’t feel the least bit guilty when my spiritual life and focus begin to reflect this. Guilt, after all, is the single biggest roadblock to a healthy relationship with our Divine Source.
 
Whatever you do don’t try to “force” or “work up” a feeling of devotion.

God isn’t mad at you because you’re feeling dry. He knows how we’re made and what our limits are.

Continue a sensible prayer/meditation/reading schedule and don’t worry.
 
Pain without faith leads to despair. Keep the faith always. The saints who went through a period of dryness later received even more blessings. So persevere to the end.
 
My son’s sensei says that plateaus are inevitable and to work through them despite any apparent lack of progress. This idea provides a great analogy to our spiritual life, as well.

Prayer can also be done in complete silence as you listen to God; it’s not about coming up with the Right Words. You can also get through the dryness by praying straight from a Catholic devotional book. Visit the Prayer Intentions forum because there’s no shortage of people needing prayers.

Or take on a Novena. I’m working my way through this one. St Corona Novena to end the Coronavirus Pandemic | Pray Catholic Novenas
 
I was feeling really inspired by Mary today and by the good thing she’s done for me during the years. I have a special devotion to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, so I made this in light of that:
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
It’s good at least that I can connect to His Church this way.
 
I think I will take a novena! It might be better.

Thanks everyone for answering. I was quite worried about growing distant from Him.
 
The spiritual dryness is a test. As hard as it seems, you should behave the same as you did when you weren’t spiritually dry. That is pray and go to mass, Adoration, spiritual reading, confession, novenas etc. God wants you to show up for prayer even if it’s hard or boring or dull. Just be there for him and with him in the good times and the bad times. Like a good friend.

It’s a little like this… If you have a friend who is sick and can’t entertain you when you visit, you still visit don’t you? If you love them and they are your friend you do. I’m not saying God is sick… just that he’s doing some work in you that requires him being hidden and your trust. The more you keep coming to him in prayer the more you keep showing your trust. He knows best.

It can help to ask Holy friends to pray for you. To pray more, especially vocal prayers as this fights against temptation. Ask for the grace to pray and for strength, perseverance and courage. Confess this trouble when you are in confession to obtain advice and to out the temptation to your confessor. Pray to Our Lady as I see you are doing and ask you guardian angel to help you too.
God bless
 
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pulchraesamicamea said:
After I’ve converted in 2015, …But now I’ve reached a period of spiritual dryness, in which I’m struggling to pray.
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I wonder if what you are experiencing is somewhat like the period in marriage after the “phase.”

Are you aware of the story of St Mother Teresa? She had much dryness after a special incident when she was a relatively young sister. So she was amazingly fruitful even in dryness.

Are you trying to learn new devotions or new opportunities for service?

How much do you think your health struggles are involved?
 
CelticWarlord said:
life is pretty much filled with very ordinary and often mundane and repetitive chores.
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The book linked below is very short but has had a great impact on me. It talks about these daily, mundane, and repetitive tasks and how the process of doing them helps us become closer to God.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0051GEH02/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Joegrane said:
Are you aware of the story of St Mother Teresa? She had much dryness after a special incident when she was a relatively young sister. So she was amazingly fruitful even in dryness.
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I read Come Be My Light as soon as it was published; I saw a news programme that mentioned its coming release. I was an evangelical/Baptist at the time and reading this book drew me into the Catholic Church, the Church I had always been taught was evil. It was comforting to realise Saint Mother Theresa felt spiritually dry save a few instances, and she accomplished so much through her work and service.

I’ve had very extended periods of spiritual dryness. Whilst fighting cancer for twenty years, being in pain daily, watching my beloved Dad die from cancer, helping my teen daughter through her cancer treatments, feeling useless, etc --during all of the trials in my life I’ve felt alone. I do not have inner consolation the majority of the time. This use to distress me greatly, being raised in an environment that feeling God is paramount. Through my journey to the Catholic Church I came to understand that I CHOOSE to believe. I cannot control my feelings, but I can choose to have faith and focus my behaviour in that direction. I have found the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Rosary to be particularly helpful, in that they are prayers that have a formula coupled with meditative prayer.

Spiritual dryness can be so disheartening. I am sorry you’re experiencing this trial. I know very well how poor physical health and pain can impact every aspect of life, including our relationship with God. Have grace and compassion towards yourself. You are not alone.
https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Teres...9&sprefix=Come+be+my+,digital-text,234&sr=8-1
Dan_Defender said:
Keep the faith always.
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This is something my Dad told me my whole life; it’s a short saying but a wise reminder that helps me maintain focus. “Keep the Faith, Lenore; keep the faith” my Dad said when I was struggling.
 
NevermoreLenore said:
I read Come Be My Light as soon as it was published; I saw a news programme that mentioned its coming release. I was an evangelical/Baptist at the time and reading this book drew me into the Catholic Church, the Church I had always been taught was evil
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Thank you for sharing your story. Praise God.
I’m sorry to hear about all of the medical related crosses you’ve had to carry.
 
You’re very kind. It definitely keeps me humble! I’m glad you brought up St Mother Theresa–that book was pivotal in bringing me to the Church at a time when I was suffering such spiritual dryness I could barely breathe.
 
I have chronic fatigue so sometimes I fall asleep whilst I pray, or struggle to pray given the pain level I’m in. My spiritual dryness is in part based on my physical disease.

I’ll read up on the story of St. Mother Teresa!
 
I’m sorry about your health struggles. A dear friend had some CFS along with PTSD. Thankfully she and her FM doc found quite a bit of relief for her after decades of struggles.

Have you heard about the controversial study of CFS by long-time NIH scientist, Dr Judy Mikovits?

Do you also have devotion to Padre Pio? I’d expect someone with chronic pain to resonate with Padre’s life and spirituality.
 
I learned it from my grandma. When you are tired, when you feel dryness, when you are wondering if God is there, just say slowly, oh My Jesus how much I love you.
 
I go for a walk in a cemetery and pray for those who have died. As I read the stuff on the tombstones, it helps me understand that life is precious. Many of these persons did not live as long as I did, so that makes me feel more thankful [to God] for being blessed with 30 years of life.
 
pulchraesamicamea said:
What should I do during this period of spiritual dryness?
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As others have stated, you’re not alone. One cannot live by their emotions all the time. Keep up the good fight. Perhaps consider gainIng inspiration from others (saints, etc) who have already been there and experienced what you are going through and maybe modify your routine a little and add some new elements based on sound advice from your spiritual mentor or confessor.

Will pray for you. Be assured you are not alone and you are not a bad person for feeling this way.
 
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That is what God wants us to do. Pray even if we have no consoling feelings. That is how we grow in faith. He hears us! Have confidence in Him.
 
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