When Prayer Is Dry

Prayer goes through patterns of ups and downs; St. Ignatius of Loyola refers to these moments as consolation and desolation. Consolation is the warm, fuzzy period when God is so present that joy fills the heart, tears overflow, all doubt is gone and it seems as if heaven has come to earth. Desolation is the opposite, nothing works, no words, no feelings, emptiness, dryness, and God seems absent, only a word, but not the warm, welcoming person we once conversed with so easily. Even in Lent, with our hearts and minds bent on closer contact with God, a period such as this can set in without warning. Oh, there may be warning signs, such as stress, fatigue, overwork, overextension, all contributing factors for sure, but not enough to blame entirely for this desert experience. No, it is part of the process of growth in faith. Do I keep praying even when I don't feel like it or when "nothing happens"? There's the test, there's the proof of our love and trust. One way to deal with this dryness is to take the Scriptures and let the words of the Evangelists or the words of St. Paul become our words. St. John's chapters 14-17 or Chapter 1 of the First Letter to the Corinthians read slowly and meditatively, with frequent pauses to let the thoughts sink in, can be the fuel that's needed to re-light the fire. Just sitting quietly and "resting in the Lord"...no words, just being there...bringing the emptiness to God, is a beautiful prayer in a different form. Listening to the breeze, the birds, looking at the early crocuses...these affirm our faith and can water our barren hearts. Let not our hearts be discouraged when dryness comes. It too is part of "growth in the Lord."