Why does prayer feel dry sometimes? Why is it so hard to focus when you try to pray? Are distractions in prayer a sign you’re doing something wrong?
If you’ve ever asked these questions… you’re not alone.
In this episode, Fr. Wayne Sattler—diocesan hermit and spiritual director—explains why mental prayer often gets harder before it gets deeper, and what God is actually doing in that process.
Joining Dan and Stephanie Burke on Divine Intimacy Radio, Fr. Sattler unpacks the most common struggles in prayer, including distractions, dryness, and the transition from meditation to contemplation.
Drawing from St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross, this episode offers practical guidance for souls seeking deeper union with God.
You’ll learn:
+ How to deal with distractions in prayer
+ Why prayer can feel dry or empty
+ The difference between meditation and contemplation
+ How to grow in mental prayer without forcing it
If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing in prayer… this might change everything.
📖 Free Book Study (Learn to encounter Jesus as a Person, not an idea):
👉 https://bit.ly/3QvhdUO
📅 Upcoming Events:
👉 https://spiritualdirection.com/event
🙏 FREE video series on mental prayer → https://bit.ly/4a0q7l2
⚔️ FREE video series 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 #catholicpodcast #christianpodcast #prayertips #mentalprayer #howtopray #prayerstrategy #catholicprayer #prayerlife #howtopray #contemplation #spiritualgrowth #stayprayed
______________________________________________________
☦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
Chapters
If you’ve ever asked these questions… you’re not alone.
In this episode, Fr. Wayne Sattler—diocesan hermit and spiritual director—explains why mental prayer often gets harder before it gets deeper, and what God is actually doing in that process.
Joining Dan and Stephanie Burke on Divine Intimacy Radio, Fr. Sattler unpacks the most common struggles in prayer, including distractions, dryness, and the transition from meditation to contemplation.
Drawing from St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross, this episode offers practical guidance for souls seeking deeper union with God.
You’ll learn:
+ How to deal with distractions in prayer
+ Why prayer can feel dry or empty
+ The difference between meditation and contemplation
+ How to grow in mental prayer without forcing it
If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing in prayer… this might change everything.
📖 Free Book Study (Learn to encounter Jesus as a Person, not an idea):
👉 https://bit.ly/3QvhdUO
📅 Upcoming Events:
👉 https://spiritualdirection.com/event
🙏 FREE video series on mental prayer → https://bit.ly/4a0q7l2
⚔️ FREE video series 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 #catholicpodcast #christianpodcast #prayertips #mentalprayer #howtopray #prayerstrategy #catholicprayer #prayerlife #howtopray #contemplation #spiritualgrowth #stayprayed
______________________________________________________
☦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
Chapters
