During Quiet Time, distractions are a common experience. They are just passing thoughts, so allow them to gently wander out of your mind.

Henri Nouwen, speaking of his daily prayer, says, “It is full of distractions, inner restlessness, sleepiness and boredom... still the Lord speaks to me, looks at me and embraces me there... ”

This period is known as "the dark night of the soul." You look for Jesus, but it seems that He is nowhere to be found. You ask, "Where are you Jesus?" but you hear no answer. Nobody seems to be listening to your prayers.

Remind yourself that you pray to find Jesus, not to feel good.

Tell Christ of your difficulties and of your desire to love Him more dearly. Wait patiently for the Lord to speak to you.

Don't expect to hear God talk to you out loud. Only on rare occasions does He speak to people. But it does happen.

Usually God shows us what to do by having us:

• listen to the advice of people we respect,
• read books that give us good insights - especially the Gospels,
• examine what our conscience tells us and
• think about what the Church teaches.

Don’t make any radical decisions during this time. We judge badly in the night. Daylight will come even after the longest and darkest night.

“One day you will wake up and the sun will be shining, spiritually, and all the world will be bright again. God will call to you, and you will rejoice that He is back, and has come to visit. After all that time of darkness, your soul will be flooded with light again.” (Trinity by Joseph Girzone)

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