There are seasons when God feels near, His Word feels alive, and prayer comes easily.
And then there are other seasons.
You open your Bible, and the words feel flat.
You kneel to pray, and it feels like talking to the ceiling.
Questions rise in your heart that you’re afraid to voice:
“Is God really there? Does He really care? Why don’t I feel anything?”
If that’s where you are, this is not a sign that you’re a “fake” Christian. Often it’s a sign that you’re in the middle of a very real, very human, and very biblical struggle.
This reflection will walk through:
- Honest doubt vs. indifferent unbelief
- Biblical examples of doubters and “dry” saints
- How to pray and read Scripture when God seems silent
- Healthy spaces for questions in the church
- Common roots of doubt
- Practices that slowly rekindle desire for God
- When to seek pastoral or mentoring help
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1. Honest Doubt vs. Indifferent Unbelief
Not all doubt is the same.
Honest doubt
Honest doubt says:
- “Lord, I’m struggling to believe—help me.”
- It wrestles, asks questions, longs for truth.
- There’s tension: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
This is the cry of someone who wants to trust God but is finding it hard. It is relational struggle, not settled rebellion.
Tim Keller wrote:
“A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it.”
— Timothy Keller, The Reason for God
In this sense, honest doubt can be a path to a deeper, more thoughtful faith.
Indifferent unbelief
Indifferent unbelief says:
- “I don’t care whether this is true or not.”
- Or, “I’d rather not think about God.”
- It is marked by apathy, not agony.
This is less about questions and more about refusal. Scripture often addresses this kind of unbelief, not as a fragile struggle, but as a hardened posture (e.g., Hebrews 3:12–13).
If you are grieved by your doubt and dryness, if you wish you felt differently, that itself is strong evidence that God is still at work in you.
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.”
(Matthew 12:20; cf. Isaiah 42:3)
2. Biblical Examples of Doubters and “Dry” Saints
You are not the first to feel this way. Scripture is filled with God’s people walking through deep doubt, confusion, and dryness.
The Psalms: Holy words for dry souls
- Psalm 13: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)
- Psalm 42: “Why are you cast down, O my soul…? My tears have been my food day and night.” (Psalm 42:5, 3)
- Psalm 88: ends with, “Darkness is my closest friend.” (Psalm 88:18, NIV)
God put these prayers in the Bible. That means He expects seasons when His children will feel abandoned, confused, and in the dark. And He doesn’t shame them for it; He gives them vocabulary.
Thomas: Doubt in the upper room
Thomas is often remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” yet his story is really about Jesus’ gentle pursuit of a doubter.
- Thomas hears the others say, “We have seen the Lord.” He replies: “Unless I see… I will never believe.” (John 20:25)
- A week later, Jesus appears and goes straight to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands… Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27)
Jesus meets Thomas in his doubt, addresses his specific questions, and invites him back to trust. Thomas responds:
“My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
John the Baptist: Confusion in prison
John had boldly announced Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). But later, from prison, he sends messengers to ask:
“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
(Matthew 11:3)
Even this great prophet wrestled with confusion when his circumstances didn’t match his expectations. Jesus doesn’t scold him; He sends back evidence and affirmation.
Elijah: Burned out and despondent
After a great victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah falls into despair:
“It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life…”
(1 Kings 19:4)
God responds with food, rest, a gentle whisper, and renewed mission—not condemnation.
David Powlison noted:
“God is never surprised by your weakness. He is the One who drew near in Christ because of it.”
— David Powlison, God’s Grace in Your Suffering
3. How to Pray and Read Scripture When God Feels Silent
When God feels distant, we often think, “I’ll pray when I feel it again.” But in Scripture, people often pray from their dryness, not after it ends.
Pray honestly, not impressively
Use the Psalms as a script:
- “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)
- “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?” (Psalm 10:1)
- “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” (Psalm 25:16)
Turn these into your own words:
“Lord, this feels empty. I don’t sense Your presence. I miss You, and I don’t even know how to want You. Help me.”
God is not offended by honest weakness; He invites it (Hebrews 4:15–16).
Read smaller, slower, and more relationally
When your soul is dry:
- Lower the bar from “deep study” to “daily manna.”
Read a small portion thoughtfully rather than forcing yourself through long chapters mechanically. - Camp in places that give voice to your heart:
Psalms 13, 42–43, 77; Lamentations 3; John 10; Romans 8. - Turn words into breath prayers.
Take a single verse and repeat it to God through the day: “Why are you cast down, O my soul… hope in God” (Psalm 42:5)
“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Pastor John Piper once described the Psalms as:
“God’s own words with which we can speak back to God, even when we have no words of our own.”
— John Piper, teaching on the Psalms (paraphrased)
4. Healthy Spaces for Questions vs. Fear-Based Suppression
A healthy church will welcome honest questions and doubts, not punish or shame them.
Healthy spaces for questions
- Encourage people to ask, “Why?” and “How do we know?”
- Leaders can say honestly, “I don’t know, but I’ll search with you.”
- Scripture is allowed to speak for itself, even when it challenges us.
- Testimonies include seasons of struggle, not just triumph.
Ray Ortlund describes gospel culture in a church as:
“Where it’s safe to be honest because Jesus is our righteousness, not our performance.”
— Ray Ortlund, The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ (paraphrased)
Fear-based suppression of questions
On the other hand, some environments communicate:
- “Don’t ask that; just believe.”
- “Real Christians don’t struggle with that.”
- “Those questions are dangerous.”
This can push doubt underground, where it grows in secret. Jesus, however, invited questions, engaged skeptics, and drew near to doubters.
The goal is not to glorify doubt, but to bring it into the light, where it can be gently examined, answered, or patiently carried.
5. Common Roots of Doubt: Intellectual, Emotional, Experiential
Doubt rarely springs from a single source. Often it’s a tangle of head, heart, and life.
Intellectual roots
- Questions about the reliability of Scripture
- Science and faith tensions
- The problem of evil and suffering
- Historical issues (hypocrisy in the church, abuses done in Christ’s name)
These need patient answers, not quick slogans. Thoughtful apologetics and wise guides matter here.
Emotional roots
- Deep disappointment with God: unanswered prayers, painful losses
- Shame over past sins, feeling unworthy of grace
- Fear of being rejected if you truly believe or disbelieve
Ed Welch writes:
“Our doubts are often less about God’s existence and more about God’s goodness toward us personally.”
— Ed Welch, counseling reflections (paraphrased)
Experiential roots
- Spiritual burnout or overcommitment
- Church hurt, betrayal by leaders or friends
- Long-term depression or anxiety
- Spiritual abuse or legalistic environments
Sometimes what feels like a “theological crisis” is deeply connected to exhaustion, trauma, or grief.
It’s important to ask, gently:
- What was happening in my life when these doubts intensified?
- Are there wounds or disappointments that sit underneath my questions?
The goal is not to dismiss intellectual questions, but to see the whole person.
6. Practices That Can Slowly Rekindle Desire for God
You cannot flip a switch to feel close to God again. But there are ordinary, gentle practices that the Spirit often uses over time.
1. Small, consistent rhythms over heroic efforts
- 5–10 minutes of Scripture and honest prayer daily
is better than one intense spiritual “burst” once a month. - Choose one or two simple habits:
- A daily Psalm
- A short prayer walk
- A verse written on a card where you see it often
Zack Eswine writes about depression:
“God often meets us, not with sudden rescue, but with patient companionship in small, daily graces.”
— Zack Eswine, Spurgeon’s Sorrows (paraphrased)
2. Embodied spiritual practices
Sometimes our minds feel numb, but our bodies can still respond:
- Kneel or open your hands in prayer, even if your heart feels cold.
- Sing (or listen to) songs that are honest and hope-filled, especially psalms set to music.
- Take walks and thank God for specific small things you see.
3. Serving others in small ways
Dryness can turn us inward. One gentle way forward:
- Write a note of encouragement to someone.
- Bring a meal, make a call, or send a simple text: “How can I pray for you?”
- Offer quiet, behind-the-scenes service at church.
Serving does not earn God’s love, but it often reconnects us with His heart.
4. Honest community
Share your struggle with at least one mature believer:
- “I feel distant from God.”
- “I’m struggling with doubt.”
- “Would you walk with me and pray for me in this season?”
James 5:16 calls us to:
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
This doesn’t mean every doubt is “sin,” but it does invite mutual, honest support.
7. When to Seek Pastoral or Mentoring Relationships
Sometimes our dryness and doubt are mild and passing. Other times they are deeper and longer-lasting. Consider seeking pastoral or mentoring help when:
- Your doubts are isolating you from Christian community.
- You feel increasingly apathetic and hopeless about your spiritual life.
- Your faith crisis is tied to trauma, abuse, or deep grief.
- Thoughts of abandoning the faith or self-harm begin to surface.
God often uses wise, gentle people to guide us when our own compass feels broken.
Look for:
- A pastor or elder who is approachable, patient, and grounded in Scripture.
- A mature believer (mentor) who has walked with Christ through suffering.
- A qualified Christian counselor, especially if depression, anxiety, or trauma are significant.
Remember: asking for help is not a sign of spiritual failure; it’s a step of spiritual wisdom.
Paul David Tripp writes:
“We were not created to be independent, autonomous, or self-sufficient. We were made to live in humble, worshipful, and loving dependency upon God and in loving and humble interdependency with others.”
— Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
8. Scriptures to Anchor You in Seasons of Doubt and Dryness
You might choose one of these each week to read, meditate on, and pray through:
- Psalm 13 – “How long, O Lord?” – grief and trust held together
- Psalm 42–43 – Thirsting for God in deep discouragement
- Psalm 73 – Confusion about evil and God’s goodness, resolved in God’s presence
- Isaiah 40:27–31 – God’s strength for the faint and weary
- Matthew 11:28–30 – Jesus’ gentle invitation to the weary and heavy laden
- John 20:24–29 – Thomas the doubter, met and restored
- Hebrews 4:14–16 – A sympathetic High Priest in our weakness
- Jude 22 – “Have mercy on those who doubt.”
9. Recommended Books for Further Study and Encouragement
On doubt, questions, and faith
- Timothy Keller – The Reason for God
Thoughtful responses to common doubts about Christianity. - Os Guinness – In Two Minds: The Dilemma of Doubt and How to Resolve It
A classic, deeply biblical exploration of doubt. - John Ortberg – Faith and Doubt
Pastoral, accessible, and honest about wrestling with belief.
On spiritual dryness and desire for God
- John Piper – When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy
Practical, Scripture-saturated help for times of spiritual numbness. - D. A. Carson – A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Focuses on learning to pray biblically, especially through Paul’s prayers. - David Powlison – God’s Grace in Your Suffering
Short, compassionate reflections when God feels absent.
On suffering, disappointment, and God’s presence
- Timothy Keller – Walking with God through Pain and Suffering
Rich pastoral theology for seasons of confusion and pain. - Joni Eareckson Tada – A Place of Healing
Honest and Christ-centered reflection amid ongoing affliction. - Zack Eswine – Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression
Uses Charles Spurgeon’s experience to offer comfort in darkness.
A Closing Prayer for the Doubtful and Dry
Lord Jesus,
You see the one who reads this with a heavy, numb, or questioning heart.
You know their doubts, their disappointments, and their silent fears.Thank You that You are gentle with the bruised reed
and tender toward the smoldering wick.When they cannot feel You, hold them fast.
When they cannot find the words, give them Your own words in the Psalms.
When they cannot see the way forward, surround them with wise and kind companions.Rekindle in them, even if only as a faint spark,
a desire to know You again.Until joy returns, anchor them in Your promise:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”In Your strong and merciful name, Amen.
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