Having experienced a spiritual desert in my Christian living had been a crucial battle for me. My faith was dry and cold during that period when complete joy and fulfillment could no longer be felt in my prayers and my service to the Lord, and when that emptiness filled my heart. Those were the times of fleeing from community life, seemingly distant of tasting and seeing the goodness of the Lord which made me backslided in my prayerful and peaceful moments with him. Though I’ve been in those kinds of battle ground, I didn’t abandon attending the Holy Mass. My heart might have been deserted, yet, being grounded in Catholic faith paved me gradually to return to him. The lagging pace of my spiritual revival might have been uncertain, however, by opening my heart to the virtue of humility, to God’s immense mercy and grace, and to the positivity of new beginnings.
— Pietritta Theresa Domingo
There was a time that I did not understand the plan of the Lord for me and his will. There were times that I questioned him why he is allowing some things to happen in my life. When I absorbed and meditated on his words, then I realised that his will is always good, pleasing and perfect. Prayer is the best key to feel his presence specially during the spiritual desert days. I fought the dryness I felt. During every difficulty, I seek God and ask for his guidance, strength and courage. “If you search for him, he will be found,”
(1 Chronicles 28:9).
— Karen Jamola
I had undergone being stuck in a spiritual desert. In order for me to fight this feeling I confessed to God how much I want him. I confessed my longing for him and his presence. I needed to look back on a moment when I deeply experienced the presence of God in my life. A moment in my history so real that I experienced the power and glory of God like never before. Letting that moment to bring me back to the present situation and remember that the God who was with me then is with me now. His love is better than life.
— Renalyn Paragon
I felt heavy in my heart during the time I was experiencing the dark night of my soul or spiritual dryness. I felt I have abandoned my God. I felt remorseful and cried and asked for his forgiveness. I revived my prayer life through God’s grace and focussed my attention on him. I left behind me whatever burdens I bore that caused me to distant myself from our Lord and entrust my whole life to him.
— Meciel Payanay
I have experienced being in a spiritual desert or crisis of faith. To fight this crisis on my faith, I used some ways as my remedies. I read lives of saints which were very helpful because of their common virtues of trust, humility, love, patience, perseverance etc.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
— Hanzel Joy Rosquita
Romans 12.12 says ,”Be joyful in hope, patience in affliction and fairhtful in prayer.” It is the most powerful weapon anyone can wield. Prayer shouldn’t be ignored, it needs to be part of our daily lives.We do not just pray when we are in need, we pray whenever we’re happy and sad. Our sorrows and pains are our extensions to him, so we hold our grip and pray. I don’t remember a time where I did not feel like praying. I pray the Holy Rosary, not always to be honest, but most of the time and It draws me closer to God.
— Liezel Tadeo Sape
Sin and some circumstances in our life, are the reasons why we experience being in the spiritual desert. Sometimes we think that God has abandoned us. We often long for God’s presence in our life, but it seems very impossible to feel and to see it because we are just focussing on ourselves, not on God.
At a very young age, my father taught me to always pray and call Jesus. Now that I am in my 30’s , I still call and talk to Jesus, everyday, every hour, wherever I am, whatever I do. My day is not complete without talking to him. whether I am happy or sad. My remedy during a spiritual desert is praying.
I close my eyes, and ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit.I always pray “Lord please be with me, please stay by my side, come and live in my heart.”
First thing I did was to recognize all my sins, all my pains, all things that were disturbing my peace, and I surrender to him. Then, I always praise him, letting him know how blessed and grateful I am to have him in my life. Then asking for forgiveness. Having a peaceful mind and a peaceful heart is like a luxury that no one can take away from us.
— Lorna Tuburan
