One of the best retreats I was ever on was held at Holy Name Monastery. We had delicious, healthy meals to eat and comfortable, air conditioned rooms to sleep in. Over a two-day period we spent about 2½ hours in centering prayer, a form of silent contemplative prayer, about 2½ hours with the sisters in prayer services, and perhaps 4 hours watching and discussing presentations on prayer. When I got home, I was exhausted. I slept for 9½ hours.

How can praying be so taxing? I think it is the contemplative prayer that does that. Centering prayer is almost effortless. You don’t have to think up any words. If any thoughts arise during the prayer, you let them go without engaging them. Over time, however, that way of praying releases all sorts of things stored in the depths of the soul. That “soul work” is exhausting.

Most spiritual guides don’t write like this.  Most offer advice on how to pray when you’re feeling tired or how to avoid getting tired when you pray. I’m going to stick to the opposite. There are times when prayer won’t make you feel charged up and ready to take on the world, but rather depleted. That’s not the work of the Devil, but the work of God.

We sometimes think prayer should produce certain positive feelings like peace or consolation. That’s not always true. Prayer can be disturbing. We have to approach prayer with an open heart, allowing the Spirit to produce whatever the Spirit wills.

Read Ephesians 6:18 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne