For Times of Spiritual Dryness

I have a confession to make. I’m just going through the motions of prayers, penance, and obedience of faith.  I’m not saying I do not love God, but oftentimes, I don’t feel anything. I feel distant from God. In my bleaker moments, I wonder if it’s worth making the effort. Sound familiar?

Perhaps, we can take comfort in knowing that spiritual dryness is not uncommon. And there’s one thing I have learned during these "spiritually dry" spells—don’t give up and don’t give in.  Or as one priest advised me: "Fake it ‘til you make it."

Regardless of what we feel or don’t feel inside, consider what St. Augustine once wrote: “God made us without us, but he will not save us without us.” So we have work to do, even if we feel like we are just going through the motions.

Our Purpose

Our prayers, penance, and obedience of faith have purpose. In “Fatima for Today” Father Andrew Apostoli wrote that “in some way God made himself dependent on our prayers and sacrifices.” He depends on our faith.

Given his omnipotence, God does not need us. However, in his great love, he wants us to share in the glory of his Kingdom. But first, we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s creations. In other words, how we live our lives on earth will determine our destiny. We must overcome spiritual dryness and not allow it to prevent us from living our faith. How else can we experience God’s word and presence in our lives and our world?

Consider this: Christ did not perform miracles for the people in his native place of Nazareth. “He did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.” [Mt. 13:58] In fact, the miracle of the spiraling sun in Fatima, Portugal on October 13, 1917 would have been greater if more people had faith and prayed.  

Our World

We have a role in keeping our world connected to Heaven and all of Heaven’s graces and blessings. Even when it feels like we are going through the motions, we can still be faithful stewards. With God’s graces, we can partake in the salvation of souls and achieve peace in our world. Why else would the Mother of God come down from Heaven throughout the centuries, imploring us to repent and pray very much?

Therefore, let us not allow our faith to dissipate in spiritual dryness. Secularism has increased its grip on society in recent years; that has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Whether or not society deems religious services as essential, now is not the time to lose faith. Going through the motions is better than doing nothing.

So let us not abandon our responsibility the way many already have. Perhaps our world is suffering because so many have given up their faith. So many have stopped praying. So many have abandoned the love of God for earthly desires and temptations.

Who knows, maybe spiritual dryness is actually a blessing. Perhaps God is prompting us to pray more, opening our hearts wider to his graces. Our acts of penance and obedience of faith, our efforts and motions, regardless of the dryness, will not be for naught. Remember, our Lord is the source of living waters. “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.” [John 7: 37] Our lives and our world will be better for it. Amen!