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Prayer can be difficult, especially when unhappy events threaten to overwhelm us. The Mystics of the Christian Era acknowledge that such times really tested their faith.  

One of these mystics was Catherine of Siena who died on 29 April 1380. At age 16 she joined the Third Order of St. Dominic and devoted herself to contemplation and service to the sick and poor. In one of her contemplations she was tormented by temptation and evil visions and she cried: ‘O good and sweet Jesus, where wert thou while my soul was being so sorely tempted?’ The answer came, ‘I was in thy heart, Catherine, for I will not leave anyone who does not first leave me.’ May you and I hear the same answer to our question, Where is God?  

Here is a  prayer by St Catherine which you might find helpful.  

Holy Spirit, come into my heart; draw it to Thee by Thy power, O my God, and grant me charity with filial fear. Preserve me, O beautiful love, from every evil thought; warm me, inflame me with Thy dear love, and every pain will seem light to me. My Father, my sweet Lord, help me in all my actions. Jesus, love, Jesus, love. Amen.  

Bible Reading: Psalm 23