Common Prayer Struggles Explained (And What God May Be Doing)
Have you ever sat down to pray and felt completely dry, distracted, or empty — like nothing is working? You might actually be progressing.
In this video, Fr. Wayne Sattler explains why dryness and distraction in mental prayer can be a sign that God is drawing you deeper — into contemplation. Drawing on the teachings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, we unpack what's really happening when your prayer life seems to go in reverse.
Topics covered:
👉 What is mental prayer?
👉 Why dryness and distraction aren't failures
👉 The transition from mental prayer to contemplation
👉 What St. John of the Cross says about the suspension of the senses
👉 How to stop resisting God's invitation to silence
📖 FREE Online Book Study 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 8 AM Central
Sign Up Here: https://bit.ly/48zhaOj
📚 Get the Book Here (Use Promo Code AVILA20 for 20% Off):
https://bit.ly/4dWtP19
👉 Watch Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/14NzdCSlG1k
🙏 Do you know how to pray? Download our FREE video series on mental prayer → https://bit.ly/4a0q7l2
⚔️ Learn how to fight! Get our FREE video retreat on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits → https://bit.ly/4a0I8j5
📚 Explore live, interactive courses with top theologians at the Avila Institute → https://avila-institute.org/
🔔 Subscribe for more Catholic content on prayer, discernment, and spiritual formation.
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🙏 Are you discerning a call to religious life or the priesthood?
Start the journey with confidence 👇
👉 Take the High Calling Priesthood Discernment Quiz here:https://myhighcalling.com/high-calling-program/is-priesthood-for-me/quiz/
👉 More Discernment Resources here: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
#Catholic #Spirituality #CatholicPrayer #contemplativeprayer #discernment #priesthood #catholicpriest #catholictradition #vocation #spiritualdirection #spiritualwarfare #spiritualguidance #spiritualgrowth #discernmentofspirits #catholicanswers #christianquestions #catholicfaith #catholictradition #CatholicPrayer #MentalPrayer #PrayerLife #FrWayneSattler #CatholicPodcast #SpiritualGrowth #PrayerTips #prayerstrategy #prayerlife
______________________________________________________
☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
In this video, Fr. Wayne Sattler explains why dryness and distraction in mental prayer can be a sign that God is drawing you deeper — into contemplation. Drawing on the teachings of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, we unpack what's really happening when your prayer life seems to go in reverse.
Topics covered:
👉 What is mental prayer?
👉 Why dryness and distraction aren't failures
👉 The transition from mental prayer to contemplation
👉 What St. John of the Cross says about the suspension of the senses
👉 How to stop resisting God's invitation to silence
📖 FREE Online Book Study 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 8 AM Central
Sign Up Here: https://bit.ly/48zhaOj
📚 Get the Book Here (Use Promo Code AVILA20 for 20% Off):
https://bit.ly/4dWtP19
👉 Watch Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/14NzdCSlG1k
🙏 Do you know how to pray? Download our FREE video series on mental prayer → https://bit.ly/4a0q7l2
⚔️ Learn how to fight! Get our FREE video retreat on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits → https://bit.ly/4a0I8j5
📚 Explore live, interactive courses with top theologians at the Avila Institute → https://avila-institute.org/
🔔 Subscribe for more Catholic content on prayer, discernment, and spiritual formation.
✉️ Want spiritual direction and formation sent straight to your inbox? Sign up for the newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SGlsd9
🙏 Are you discerning a call to religious life or the priesthood?
Start the journey with confidence 👇
👉 Take the High Calling Priesthood Discernment Quiz here:https://myhighcalling.com/high-calling-program/is-priesthood-for-me/quiz/
👉 More Discernment Resources here: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
What questions do you have after watching today's video? Were you impacted in some way? If so, comment below!
#Catholic #Spirituality #CatholicPrayer #contemplativeprayer #discernment #priesthood #catholicpriest #catholictradition #vocation #spiritualdirection #spiritualwarfare #spiritualguidance #spiritualgrowth #discernmentofspirits #catholicanswers #christianquestions #catholicfaith #catholictradition #CatholicPrayer #MentalPrayer #PrayerLife #FrWayneSattler #CatholicPodcast #SpiritualGrowth #PrayerTips #prayerstrategy #prayerlife
______________________________________________________
☦ABOUT US:
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the mission of the Avila Foundation is to draw Christians worldwide into deeper union with Christ.
Support the mission: https://www.avila-army.org/
______________________________________________________
👨🏽💻Websites:
Home: https://spiritualdirection.com/
School: https://avila-institute.org/
Discernment: https://myhighcalling.com/resources/
Community: https://www.apostoliviae.org/
Events: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Events
Books: https://SpiritualDirection.com/Shop
