Finding God in the Dry Places

Have you ever felt a distance between yourself and God? A sense of spiritual emptiness, where prayer feels dry and lifeless? This feeling, often described as spiritual aridity, is a common experience for many on their faith journey. Even great saints like Teresa of Avila spoke of these periods in her spiritual life. It’s during these times, when our souls feel “parched”, that we must, like the Psalmist, turn to God with even greater longing. Psalm 63:1-3 beautifully captures this yearning: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my body faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.”  

Thirsting for the Living Water

The Psalmist’s words paint a vivid picture of spiritual drought. He describes his soul and body as “fainting” in a “dry and weary land.” This imagery resonates with the feelings of emptiness and exhaustion that often accompany spiritual aridity. We may feel disconnected from God, our prayers may seem to hit a ceiling, and our usual enthusiasm for spiritual practices may wane. This is precisely the time to double down on our pursuit of God. Just as physical thirst drives us to seek water, our spiritual thirst should drive us to seek the “living water” offered by Christ (John 4:10). We must remember that these feelings of dryness do not mean God has abandoned us. Rather, they can be an invitation to deepen our faith and rely on God’s grace even more.  

Beholding God’s Power and Glory

The Psalmist doesn’t wallow in his dry state. He actively seeks God, recalling past experiences of beholding God’s “power and glory” in the sanctuary. This act of remembrance is crucial during times of spiritual dryness. We must reflect on the times when we have felt God’s presence, when we have witnessed His faithfulness, and when we have experienced the power of His love. These memories can serve as an anchor in the midst of our spiritual drought, reminding us of the reality of God’s presence even when we don’t feel it (Lamentations 3:22-23). They can reignite the flame of faith within us and give us the strength to persevere.  

Steadfast Love in the Desert

The Psalmist’s declaration, “your steadfast love is better than life,” is a powerful affirmation of faith in the midst of hardship. Even in the “dry and weary land,” he recognizes the enduring nature of God’s love. This steadfast love is our assurance that God is with us, even when we feel distant from Him. It is the foundation upon which we can rebuild our spiritual strength during times of aridity (Psalm 26:3). It is in these moments of dryness that we truly learn to lean on God’s unwavering love and discover the depths of His grace. Just as the desert blooms after the rain, our spirits can experience renewed life and vitality after a period of spiritual dryness, if we remain faithful and continue to seek God.  

A Prayer for Our Community

Heavenly Father, we come before you today as a community, acknowledging that we all experience times of spiritual dryness. We pray for those among us who are feeling distant from you, whose prayers feel empty, and whose spirits are weary. We ask that you refresh them with your living water, that you would remind them of your steadfast love, and that you would reveal your power and glory to them once again. Help us to support one another during these times, to offer words of encouragement and to point each other back to you. May we, as a community, continue to thirst for you, even in the dry places, knowing that your love is better than life. Amen.