Overcoming Dryness in Prayer

April 11, 2017

“In my distress I cry to the Lord, that he may answer me.”
-Psalm 120:1

Meditation

Last week we saw that we can change our distractions into a pathway to
an encounter with Christ. Now we need to tackle another challenge in the spiritual life.

It’s called dryness. There are times when you won’t seem to be getting anything out of your prayers. Suddenly the Scriptures no longer seem to speak to you. During Eucharistic Adoration you can hardly stay awake. During Mass, you can’t concentrate on anything. Everyone will face
these moments.

The first thing we need is flexibility. If you’ve been reading Scripture every day and suddenly it is no longer speaking to you, pick up a great spiritual book. It could be a saint’s reflections on Scripture or an autobiography or another great book. You could also switch to the Rosary, which is simply asking Our Lady to help you meditate on the mysteries of Christ’s life containing in Scripture. There are a number of resources, so go to good trusted resources and allow yourself some flexibility.

Prayer for Lent
O gracious Master, infuse in our hearts the spotless light of Your Divine Wisdom and open the eyes of our mind that we may understand the teachings of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having curbed all carnal desires, we may lead a spiritual life, both thinking and doing everything to please You. For You, O Christ, our God, are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies; and to You we render glory, together with Your eternal Father, and with Your all holy, life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.