The Dryness Sometimes Experienced in Meditation

9: “The Dryness Sometimes Experienced in Meditation”

Small children may not comprehend the importance of the Cross, but the practice and habit of venerating the Cross can and does serve them well right now and later in life. (photo P. Smith).

                No one ever has perfect prayer every time. De Sales knows this, so he reminds us that if we experience “dryness” in our meditation or if we just don’t “feel it”, then we need to be patient. We need to be humble. It is foolish to think that this kind of prayer will always be elevating.  But it is precisely by developing a habit of “exterior devotion” that we can sort of kick ourselves into gear. If we stop practicing meditation because it doesn’t work for us sometimes, then it certainly never will work for us again. As teachers, we can keep this in mind when we start to wonder if the prayers we lead our students in are actually effective. Of course, prayer is efficacious and it always will be effective, whether we know it or not, but more importantly, the practice and habit of prayer is necessary for our students presently or later in life when they actually feel an encounter with God. Keep praying for and with them!