Signs of Spiritual Dryness: How to Recognise It and Find Renewal in God
- Ojone Pitas
- Dec 31, 2025
- 4 min read
Spiritual dryness is something almost every believer has experienced at some point in their walk with God. You still believe. You still love God. But your prayer life feels empty, worship feels routine, and the joy you once had seems distant. It feels like something is missing, and it is almost impossible to find that missing piece.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you are not alone, and more importantly, you are not abandoned by God.
Spiritual dryness is not a sign that God has left you; often, it is an invitation to seek Him more deeply. It may also be a sign that the hunger you once had for God is gone.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” — Psalm 42:1 (NIV)
Let’s explore the signs of spiritual dryness, why it happens, and how God gently leads us back to renewal.
What Is Spiritual Dryness?
Spiritual dryness is a season when your connection with God feels distant or stagnant. It may feel like your spiritual well has run dry, even though your faith is still intact. Everything you would usually do with ease becomes a struggle ot feel forced.
The Bible shows that even strong believers, including David, Elijah, and the disciples, experienced seasons of weariness and spiritual emptiness.
You remember the story where Elijah sat under a tree and asked God to kill him. He was no longer willing to be a prophet. Even when the angel of the Lord fed him twice, he was still not interested in pursuing God.
7 Common Signs of Spiritual Dryness
1. Prayer Feels Forced or Empty
You still pray, but it feels mechanical. Words come out, but your heart feels disconnected. You no longer feel God's presence.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13
When prayer becomes routine rather than relational, it’s often a sign your spirit needs renewal. The fire or hunger you once had is no longer there.
2. Loss of Hunger for God’s Word
The Bible no longer excites or challenges you; reading the Scripture feels like a task instead of nourishment. It becomes just a routine, another story.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4
A lack of appetite often reveals a deeper spiritual fatigue. It exposes the emptiness in your pursuit of God.
3. Worship Feels Distant
You attend church or listen to worship music, but your heart feels unmoved. You’re physically present but spiritually absent.
“These people honour Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8
This distance doesn’t mean worship has failed; it means your heart needs healing and a reset.
4. Increased Distraction by Worldly Things
Spiritual things feel less critical, while entertainment, busyness, or social media take centre stage. You no longer feel the need to make God a priority; He becomes a box you check to ease your conscience.
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:21
What consistently captures your attention often reveals the condition of your heart.
5. Lack of Joy and Spiritual Passion
You may still serve God, but the joy is absent. Faith feels burdensome rather than life-affirming. Serving God in church or within your community feels obligatory, as if you are doing another person a favour.
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” — Psalm 51:12
Joy is not always loud, but its absence often signals that your soul needs refreshing. Joy is not simply happiness; it is something more profound and pleasurable.
6. Spiritual Fatigue or Weariness
You feel tired, not just physically, but spiritually. You’re discouraged, easily irritated, or emotionally drained. No longer having the desire or strength to seek God.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
God never intended your faith to exhaust you; He offers rest, not pressure.
7. Conviction Feels Dull or Ignored
Sin no longer troubles your conscience as it once did, or repentance feels unnecessary. You easily fall into sin and feel comfortable in sin.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10
A dull conscience can be a sign that your heart needs softening again before the Lord.
Why Does Spiritual Dryness Happen?
Spiritual dryness can come from:
Unconfessed sin
Burnout
Disappointment with God
Life pressures and distractions
Seasons of testing and growth
Sometimes God allows dryness not to punish us—but to draw us deeper. It may be a season when God is testing us to help us honestly know the state of our hearts.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
How to Find Renewal During Spiritual Dryness
1. Be Honest with God
God invites honesty, not perfection. Pour out your heart as David did in the Psalms. Many times we try to pretend and act perfect. God knows all things; pour out to Him sincerely.
2. Return to Simple Devotion
You don’t need long prayers, just sincere ones. Start small and stay consistent. Consistency pays and ignites a fire once lost.
3. Repent and Realign
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that may be hindering intimacy with God. Sometimes, there might be something hidden, and when we ask the Lord to show us what we are missing, He reveals it.
4. Rest in God’s Presence
Sometimes renewal comes through rest, silence, and waiting—not striving.
“He restores my soul.” — Psalm 23:3
A Prayer for Spiritual Renewal
Father God, I come before You honestly, acknowledging that my soul feels dry and weary. I miss the closeness I once had with you. Forgive me where I’ve drifted, grown distracted, or relied on my own strength. Restore my hunger for Your Word, renew my joy in Your presence, and revive my spirit by Your Holy Spirit. Lead me beside still waters and refresh my soul again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Encouragement
Spiritual dryness is not the end of your faith story; it is often the beginning of deeper intimacy with God. Seasons change, but God remains faithful.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31
If you’re feeling dry today, take heart—God specialises in restoring weary souls.
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