Brother I can relate 100% ! I was on the mountain top with the Lord last lent fighting many arrows.At the flip of a switch ALL spiritual desires were gone. No more daily mass,rosary,chaplets adoration....ALL gone.Looked at my beautiful pics of our Lady and statues on the mantle all the books that inspired me so much and thought what a waste.I feel for you for this is such a dark place I went into a spiral BIG TIME! I felt so abandoned and betrayed for I left a well paying job to follow the Lord and what was confirmed in prayer and also a rose from St Therese(your avatar) as my green light to step out in faith just vanished. I doubted Gods existence,not so much a doubt but every emotion was telling me this is just crazy,a day dream....etc. Thanks to intellect I had no doubt God existed so that was my crutch at first. after months Gods grace led me to confession and the priest was amazed by the extremes of deep faith to doubt. he said your in The Dark Night of the Sences.Dark night of the soul is for very advanced souls in the spiritual realm per St John of the Cross . Father recommend reception of communion as soon as possible and so I did and it took time to get back.Its like twisting an ankle.Hurts to walk at first but day by day it gets better! couple of tips on prayer I learned: Mother Angelica would say a Sacrifice of Praise- that's your prayer offering this darkness up is so powerful! 3 BASIC PRAYERS I USED 1 morning offering ,2 any prayer to the Holy Spirit AND 3 Angel of God my guardin dear to whom Gods love commits me here...etc This was even tuff to do Place all your going thru in the abyss of the Sacred Heart per St Margaret Mary- If im dry I say Lord I place this dryness in the abyss of thy Sacred Heart....Whatever you feel or are going thru...etc Praise the Lords name is very very powerful. especially if its a combo demonic attack I just say praise Glory and honor to thee Jesus....over and over again- so powerful 3 Hail Mary prayer is also good- simple and so powerful. St Anthoney and St Alphonses Ligouri used this and many other Saints sorry to type so much, I have a few other tips but you will find what works Best...ask Our Lady to show you the way to use. Your in my prayers and my guardin Angels
Here's something else I've found helpful when I have had doubts in the past. When the enemy whispered in my ear that I was deceived, that it's all a fairy tale, I answered: If I am deceived, then St. John Paul the great was deceived; Padre Pio was deceived, Mother Teresa was deceived, St. Thomas Aquinas was deceived, St. Joan of Arc was deceived, St. Teresa of Avilla was deceived, St. John of the Cross was deceived, St. Catherine of Siena was deceived, etc. Sure, I can be deceived - but what of all those who've gone before us? This method caused the doubt to evaporate..
http://marysmiraculousmedal.sermon.net/MMS-Media/main/20120280 Father gives a GREAT meditation at the end of Mass....use the scroll bar and slide right to the near end of play time. This meditation is one for ALL to remember! LIVE online Mass every Monday @ 9am @12:05pm Eastern time every Monday-starts with novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.....awesome Shrine to Our Lady in Philadelphia PA
In quietness today I opened scripture at..psalm 142.. 1 With my voice I cry to the Lord; with my voice I make supplication to the Lord. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. 3 When my spirit is faint, you know my way. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. 4 Look on my right hand and see— there is no one who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for me. 5 I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 7 Bring me out of prison, so that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.
