15. The Challenges of Physical Weakness in Prayer

 

Prayer is a beautiful journey that connects us to God. It is like having a heartfelt conversation with our Creator, where we share our joys, sorrows, hopes, and needs. However, sometimes, our physical bodies can make this journey difficult. St. Francis de Sales, a great teacher of spiritual life, gives us some wise advice on how to deal with bodily weaknesses when they get in the way of our prayer.

In this blog, we will explore his teachings in a simple and relatable way. Whether you are new to prayer or have been practicing for years, this guide will help you understand how to overcome physical challenges and find strength in your spiritual life.

The Body and Soul Are Connected

St. Francis de Sales explains that our bodies and souls are deeply connected. This means that when our bodies are tired, weak, or unwell, it can affect our minds and spirits. For example, if you haven’t had enough sleep, are feeling stressed, or have been fasting too much, you might find it hard to concentrate or feel close to God in prayer.

You might experience:

• Drowsiness: Feeling sleepy or unable to stay awake during prayer.
• Lassitude: A feeling of weariness or lack of energy.
• Heaviness: A sense of being weighed down, making it hard to focus.

These are normal experiences, and they don’t mean that you are doing something wrong in your prayer life. It’s just that your body is signaling that it needs some attention and care.

Finding the Balance: The Role of Rest and Care

When we face these physical challenges, the solution is not to push ourselves harder in prayer, but to take care of our bodies. St. Francis de Sales suggests that we should restore our physical strength. This could mean getting more sleep, eating nourishing food, or taking a break from strenuous activities.

Think of it like recharging your phone. If you try to use your phone with a low battery, it won’t work well, no matter how hard you press the buttons. Similarly, if we try to pray when our bodies are exhausted, our minds and hearts can’t connect with God as they should.

The Saints' Example: Embracing Sacrifices with Wisdom

The saints, who lived lives of deep prayer, often embraced difficult practices like fasting or long hours of prayer. However, they were also wise about their limits. They didn’t listen to the voice of the devil, who sometimes pretended to be concerned about their health to make them give up their sacrifices.

Instead, they were very careful to follow God’s will and keep their spiritual rules. They saw these sacrifices not as burdens, but as treasures. These practices helped them grow closer to God. But they were also wise—they knew when to seek help and advice from their spiritual guides when their health was affected.

Listening to Wise Guidance

If you are struggling with your health or feeling too tired or weak to pray, it’s important to talk to someone you trust. This could be a priest, a spiritual director, or even a good friend who understands your spiritual journey. They can help you decide what adjustments you need to make.

For example, you might need to:

• Adjust Your Fasting or Prayer Time: Maybe you can shorten your fasting period or reduce the time spent in prayer until you regain your strength.
• Incorporate Rest: It’s okay to rest. Taking a break doesn’t mean you are less spiritual; it means you are being wise and taking care of the temple God has given you—your body.
• Follow Guidance: Once you have shared your struggles, trust the advice given to you and follow it. This obedience is also a form of prayer and shows your trust in God’s plan for you.

The Value of Voluntary Sacrifices

St. Francis de Sales also talks about voluntary sacrifices, like choosing to give up something we enjoy or taking on extra acts of service. These are good practices that can help us grow spiritually. But they should not harm our health or make us so tired that we cannot pray or think clearly.

If you are planning to take on any new sacrifices, like fasting more or waking up earlier for prayer, it’s a good idea to discuss this with your spiritual guide first. They can help you decide if it’s the right time and if your body and mind are ready for it.

Prayer Is the Goal

Our main goal is not to perform many acts of sacrifice, but to grow in our prayer life. Prayer is the key to a deep and loving relationship with God. Sacrifices and acts of service are like tools that help us get there, but they are not the goal themselves.

Imagine you are building a house. The tools you use, like hammers and nails, are important, but they are not the house. The house is your relationship with God. If your tools (sacrifices) are making it hard to build the house (pray), then it’s time to put some tools down and focus on the building.

Be Gentle with Yourself

It’s easy to get discouraged when our bodies don’t keep up with our spiritual desires. But remember, God understands our limitations. He doesn’t expect us to push ourselves to the point of breaking. What He wants is our sincere love and devotion, even if it’s offered in the smallest ways.

If you can only pray for a few minutes because you are tired, that’s okay. If you need to sit down during Mass because you feel weak, that’s okay too. God sees your heart and knows your desire to be close to Him.

Conclusion: Keep Your Eyes on the Goal

Bodily weaknesses are a part of life, and they can make prayer challenging. But by taking care of our health and seeking guidance, we can continue our journey of prayer with strength and hope.

Remember, the goal is not to do many things, but to love God with all our hearts, minds, and bodies—no matter what condition they are in. Take courage, and keep praying, knowing that every small effort you make is precious in God’s eyes.

May you find strength in your journey, and may your prayer life flourish, even in the face of physical challenges. God bless you!