Spiritual dryness is a season in which prayer, Scripture, worship, or desire feels unusually difficult or unfruitful. It may be caused by exhaustion, grief, distraction, disappointment, isolation, habitual sin, or a period of tested faith.
Dryness is not automatically evidence that faith is false. The Psalms contain faithful people who feel abandoned and continue calling on God.
A wise response begins with diagnosis. Ask what changed, whether rest is needed, whether known sin is being protected, and whether disappointment has produced withdrawal.
Then simplify. Read a short psalm, pray honestly, remain connected to the church, and practice one act of obedience. Do not wait for strong emotion before acting faithfully.
If dryness is connected to prolonged depression, trauma, severe anxiety, or inability to function, seek appropriate pastoral and professional support.
The goal is not to force a feeling. It is to continue turning toward God through truth, grace, and community.
Biblical anchors
Psalm 42:5 grounds the article’s central question. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Isaiah 40:29-31 adds an important biblical balance. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
John 15:4 shows how the truth becomes lived obedience. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Questions for further study
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Which statement in this article most needs to affect your understanding or conduct?
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How does Psalm 42:5 confirm, correct, or deepen the article’s answer?
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What fear, attachment, distraction, or habit makes a faithful response difficult?
Put it into practice
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Study: Read Psalm 42:5 in context and write one sentence explaining how it contributes to the answer given in this article.
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Respond: Choose one statement—such as “Possible causes include fatigue, grief, habitual sin, overwork, disappointment, isolation, or a season of tested faith.”—and turn it into a specific prayer and action.
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Review: Tell a trusted believer what you plan to do and ask that person to follow up within seven days.
Name the real situation
Consider a real situation connected to this statement: Spiritual dryness may involve reduced emotion, weak desire, distracted prayer, or difficulty receiving Scripture. Name the person, decision, or responsibility involved. Read Psalm 42:5 in context, then write what faithfulness would look like before the end of the week. Avoid a broad promise such as “try harder.” Choose an action that another person could recognize and review.
Continue with the annotated study guide
The annotated edition helps readers examine barriers honestly while remaining grounded in grace, Scripture, Christian community, and practical obedience. This article answers one focused question; the complete edition brings all ten chapters into one connected study experience.
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples