When God Feels Silent

All of us go through times when God feels far away. Prayer feels empty. The Bible feels flat. Worship feels like going through the motions. These “dry seasons” are part of the journey of faith, yet they can feel lonely and confusing.

In our RiseMen circle, we spoke honestly about this. And what stood out most was the freedom to admit: “I don’t feel close to God right now.” Sometimes the most powerful step is simply naming where we really are.

Even the Greats Faced Silence

David cried out, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). Job sat in ashes, not understanding why God was quiet. Even Jesus, on the cross, said: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

Silence is not proof that God is absent. In fact, many times it’s in the silence that God is shaping us most deeply.

Small Anchors in a Dry Season

When the river feels dry, a few simple anchors can keep us steady:

• Scripture: Even a single verse can be a lifeline. One line of truth repeated often is better than chapters read with no heart.

• Prayer: Keep it short and honest. Even “Lord, I feel nothing, but I’m here” is a prayer He hears.

• Brotherhood/Sisterhood: Sharing with others breaks the lie that we’re alone. Community carries us when we cannot carry ourselves.

  
  

Staying the Course

A dry season doesn’t last forever. Seasons shift. What matters is not perfection, but perseverance. Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Hold the line. Keep showing up. Even in the silence, God is at work.