5. On Spiritual Dryness

Though God has no other desire but to communicate Himself to the soul that loves and seeks Him, yet He often hides Himself, that He may rouse it from its laziness and oblige it to seek after Him with greater love and fidelity. But Oh! How bountifully He rewards the faithfulness of His well-beloved! And how much His withdrawings are followed by divine consolations! Under these conditions we are apt to think that it shows fidelity and love to God to pursue Him with intellect and with the force of one’s own activity; or that these will quickly make Him return. No, believe me, dear soul, this is not at all the appropriate conduct for this state of prayer. It is necessary that you wait for the return of the Beloved with a loving patience, a lowly and humble regard, a constant but peaceable affection, and a solemn silence. By acting in this manner you will let Him see that it is He alone, and His good pleasure, that you love, and not the pleasure you may have in loving Him. Therefore, be not impatient in the times of darkness; endure the delays and suspensions of the consolations of God; be resigned under every state of mind, and divine life shall thereby grow and be renewed.

Be always patient in prayer, and though you should not make any other prayer all your lifetime but to wait in a humble, resigned and contented spirit for the return of your Beloved, Oh! you would pray to excellent purpose. In the meantime you might pour out some expressions of love. This way of proceeding mightily pleases God, and more powerfully prevails with Him than any other.