The warm afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of St. Mary's Academy, casting golden rays across the polished wooden floors of the lecture hall. Students settled into their seats, murmuring softly as they waited for Sister Briana Hymes to begin today's lesson.
Maria sat near the front, her notebook open, pen in hand. The topic of the day intrigued her: Overcoming Spiritual Challenges. Lately, she had been feeling a strange emptiness—a spiritual dryness, as if her prayers weren't reaching God the way they used to.
Sister Briana, a middle-aged nun with gentle eyes and a kind smile, stepped forward, adjusting her habit before addressing the class.
Sister Briana: "Good afternoon, everyone. Today's lesson is one that touches each of us at some point in our faith journey. Let me start with a question: Have any of you ever felt distant from God? As if your prayers were unheard?"
The room fell silent for a moment before a few students hesitantly raised their hands. Maria, after a brief hesitation, lifted hers as well.
Sister Briana nodded knowingly.
Sister Briana: "That feeling is called spiritual dryness. It happens to the best of us. Even great saints like Mother Teresa and St. John of the Cross experienced moments where they felt abandoned by God. But do you know what they did?"
Nathaniel, seated beside Maria, leaned forward.
Nathaniel: "Did they pray harder?"
Sister Briana chuckled.
Sister Briana: "That's a good guess, Nathaniel. But it's not just about praying harder—it's about persevering. They continued their prayers even when they felt nothing, trusting that God was still listening."
Maria frowned, tapping her pen against the page.
Maria: "But why does God allow spiritual dryness? Shouldn't faith always feel strong and comforting?"
Sister Briana's expression softened.
Sister Briana: "That's a wonderful question, Maria. Think of faith like a relationship. If you only trust someone when they make you feel good, is that real love?"
Maria shook her head.
Sister Briana: "Exactly. God sometimes allows spiritual dryness to test and strengthen our faith. It teaches us to trust Him, even when we don't feel His presence."
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Coping with Worldly Distractions
Sister Briana turned to the whiteboard and wrote:
"Coping with Worldly Distractions."
Sister Briana: "Another challenge to faith is the distractions of the world. Let's be honest, how many of you check your phones first thing in the morning instead of saying a prayer?"
A few students laughed, guilty smiles on their faces.
Maria thought about her own mornings—checking messages before even thanking God for a new day.
Kate, sitting a row behind Maria, raised her hand.
Kate: "Sister, I try to pray, but sometimes, schoolwork, social media, and even stress get in the way. It feels like there's no time for faith."
Sister Briana nodded.
Sister Briana: "That's completely normal, Kate. But let me share something from the Gospel of Matthew: 'Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you.' (Matthew 6:33)"
Nathaniel leaned back in his chair.
Nathaniel: "So, if we put God first, everything else will fall into place?"
Sister Briana: "Yes, but it takes effort. Just like athletes train their bodies, we must train our hearts and minds to focus on God despite distractions."
She paused and glanced at the students.
Sister Briana: "Here's a small exercise: When you wake up tomorrow, before reaching for your phone, say a short prayer. Thank God for the new day. Just ten seconds. Let's see if you notice a difference."
Maria made a mental note to try it.
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Maintaining Faith During Trials
Sister Briana wrote another phrase on the board:
"Faith in Times of Hardship."
She turned back to the students, her voice gentle but firm.
Sister Briana: "The real test of faith comes when we go through hardships. Can anyone share a time when they faced something difficult and struggled to keep their faith?"
A long silence followed. Then, hesitantly, Maria spoke.
Maria: "Last year, my grandmother passed away. She was the one who taught me how to pray. When she died, I felt… lost. I kept asking why God took her from me."
Sister Briana walked closer, her eyes filled with understanding.
Sister Briana: "I'm sorry for your loss, Maria. It's natural to question God in painful moments. Even Jesus, on the cross, cried out, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?'"
Maria's breath caught. She had never thought of it that way.
Sister Briana: "Faith isn't about having all the answers. It's about trusting that even in the darkness, God's love remains. We may not understand His plan now, but we hold on, knowing He walks with us through our pain."
A soft hush fell over the room as Maria absorbed those words.
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Finding Strength Through Prayer
Sister Briana: "Now, let's discuss ways to strengthen our faith. Can anyone suggest something?"
Kate raised her hand.
Kate: "Reading the Bible daily?"
Sister Briana: "Yes, scripture strengthens us. The Psalms are especially comforting during difficult times."
Nathaniel added,
Nathaniel: "Helping others? When I volunteer at the shelter, I feel closer to God."
Sister Briana: "Excellent, Nathaniel. Serving others reminds us of Christ's love. And one of the most powerful ways is prayer."
She walked to the piano in the corner and began playing a soft melody.
Sister Briana: "Let's end today's class with a hymn: 'Be Still, My Soul.'"
The students stood, their voices rising together in harmony. Maria closed her eyes as the lyrics washed over her, bringing a newfound peace.
> Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side…
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain…
As the final note faded, Sister Briana smiled.
Sister Briana: "Remember, challenges in faith will come. But hold on. Keep praying, keep trusting, and you will overcome."
Maria left the hall that day with a lighter heart. That night, for the first time in a long while, her prayer felt real.