Desert Resources

When Faith Feels Dry: Finding God in the Desert

You may be wrestling with doubt, pain, loss, or a sense of distance from God. You are not alone. This season has a purpose—and it may be where the deepest transformation in your faith occurs.

Understanding the Desert Season

The desert is not a detour—it’s a place God has led countless saints before you. It’s where old assumptions are stripped away and deeper trust is born. It’s okay to feel stuck, uncertain, or even spiritually numb. God is still with you.

He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness… to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you.

Deuteronomy 8:15–16

Practices

The desert is not a detour from spiritual growth. It is often the very place God leads us to be stripped, stretched, and deeply formed.

You may be in a season marked by questioning, silence, sorrow, or spiritual dryness. Maybe God feels distant. Or maybe life has left you weary, disoriented, or even disillusioned with faith. This is the Desert Stage, a vital and holy part of the journey. You are not alone. And this season has a purpose.

Below are resources thoughtfully selected to help you navigate this season with honesty, hope, and depth. These are not quick fixes. They’re companions for the long road.

When Words Feel Empty

Breath Prayer: A short, prayerful phrase repeated in rhythm with your breathing. Try: “God, be near… I trust you still” or “You are here… even in this.” Let it ground your anxious thoughts and center your soul in God’s presence when longer prayers feel impossible.
Silent Presence: Sometimes the most honest prayer is simply sitting in silence. No words needed—just showing up before God with whatever you’re carrying.

When You Need to Process

Journaling with Questions: Gently explore: What do I miss about how faith used to feel? Where might God be inviting me to trust in a new way? What would I say to God if I knew it was completely safe? Let these questions open you to honest reflection without needing to rush to answers.
Lament Psalms: Turn to Psalms like 13, 42, 73, and 88 to borrow language for your own cries to God. These ancient prayers teach us how to bring our pain, anger, and confusion directly into the presence of God—no spiritual performance required.

When You Need to Move

Walking in Silence: A slow, quiet walk can become a sacred act of embodied trust. Let the rhythm of your steps be your prayer, noticing what surfaces without needing to fix or analyze it. Sometimes our bodies know how to pray when our minds don’t.
Contemplative Movement: Gentle stretching, yoga, or simple physical activity can help you stay connected to your body when your spirit feels disconnected.

When You Need Gentle Reflection

Daily Examen (adapted for dryness): At the end of the day, ask: Where did I sense longing today? Where did I feel absence? What small grace did I notice, even faintly? What made me feel a little less alone? This practice helps you trace God’s presence, even in hidden form.
Gratitude for Small Things: When big gratitude feels fake, notice tiny gifts—a warm cup of coffee, a text from a friend, a moment of rest. These breadcrumbs can lead you back to hope.