Hope in Hard Places: Faith-Based Resources
Human emotions are fleeting and change with the wind. Desolation can show up one day and consolation the next.
When desolation lingers, even the simplest tasks take what little energy we have dashing plans for anything we hoped to accomplish. When we cannot care for our basic physical needs, it's no wonder we feel absolutely drained when we show up to pray!
In times of desolation, you may have no strength left to pray to God.
We've been told that the key is to show up. But, how do you pray on the days when you don’t feel like it?
Fortunately, I've discovered there are wonderful faith-based resources to turn to when desolations overwhelm me. Most are right at your fingertips.
1. Dive into God's Word.
In my opinion, the best book ever written about desolation is a collection of books- that’s right, Holy Scripture. As the story of Salvation History unfolds in the Bible, God’s people experience the entire gamut of human experience and emotions- from the best of the best to the worst of the worst.
The Psalms have especially been helpful to me in persevering in prayer. I love the Liturgy of the Hours when I am experiencing spiritual dryness. It keeps me in a regular routine, yes, but it also deals with so many human emotions. Our Lord cried out on the Cross, “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” (Ps. 22:1) The Psalm He quotes goes on to profess belief that God will rescue, because God has done so before.
Another Scriptural practice that can be helpful when experiencing discouragement is Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is meant to increase knowledge of the Word of God and promote communion with God. Lectio Divina consists of four steps: Read, Meditate, Pray, Contemplate. This is usually done with one verse or passage of Scripture.
When desolations happen, we can always ask God for the strength to pray. Maybe starting with the words, "If prayer is so important to our lives, Lord, at least let me have the strength to show up." We can ask Him for the consolation described in Isaiah 62:4.
Tayler Crabb, @taylercrabb.
2. Utilize Technology
Sometimes we need a little help from our phone. I use a paid app called the Hallow App. Modeled to be a Catholic response to such apps as Calm or Headspace, Hallow has everything from traditional Catholic prayers like the Rosary to unstructured silent time for communication with God in a personal way.
The app and website have content from respected Catholic names such as Sr. Miriam James Heidland and Dr. Bob Schuchts which address stress, mental health, and healing wounds. I’ve been a subscriber for nearly two years, and I’m still discovering wonderful new content each day!
Best of all, you can set the the app to check in with how your emotions are faring for the day and it will make suggestions for Hallow content based on your input.
3. Be inspired by someone who has walked the path ahead of you.
Oftentimes, desolation in prayer comes after a traumatic or depressing event in our lives.
A longtime friend gave me the book, Arise from Darkness: What to Do When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, after my fourth pregnancy loss. In addition to losing the baby, I also lost a coworker to suicide at the same time.
Simply to receive the book was such a wonderful gesture of care, but to read it gave comfort and practicality.
As a psychologist, Fr. Groeschel incorporated practical steps we can take to be sure to stay in relationship with God through prayer, even during the hardest times of our lives. The overarching theme of the book discusses the problem of sin and the solution of Christ on the Cross.
These resources have been a great light to me in dark times, and I hope that they can be a great source of comfort for you in your trials. May God bless you, and may you know His love for you, even in the dark, desolate night.
Meet Mary Thissen
Mary Thissen is currently living in a season of transition. Missouri-born and bred, she recently moved back to Champaign, Illinois (where her heart resides) from Northwest Minnesota, with her family. She works as a Healthcare Data Analyst for a local healthcare system. After four pregnancy losses, she welcomed her miracle twin boys in 2020. Mary's dream is to write about her story of loss and how God revealed himself to her in the subtle miracles encountered in everyday life. Mary is currently a work in progress, working to increase her patience by relying on the grace of God and finding humor in the ordinary events of life.