The fact that our prayer is unsatisfactory or unsatisfying is no reason to discontinue the practice. But perseverance in what seems to be a fruitless exercise demands a good measure of patience and a strong faith in the power of even the most seemingly hopeless prayer. Here we may be encouraged by words put into the mouth of Christ by Julian of Norwich:
Pray with your whole being even though you think that it has no savor for you. For such prayer is very profitable even though you feel nothing. Pray with your whole being, though you feel nothing, though you see nothing, even though it seems impossible to you. It is in dryness and in barrenness, in sickness and in feebleness that your prayer is most pleasing to me, even though you think that it has little savor for you.
Anything that we can do—no matter how small—to give more scope to prayer in our lives is worthwhile and, supposing we persevere in it, will certainly yield dividends in due season.
MICHAEL CASEY, OCSO Coenobium: Reflections On Monastic Community
