Some of you complain of distractions in prayer, and want of comfort, and that you have not recollection of spirit and tranquility of mind and heart at and after prayer. But consider if this may not be a merited chastisement of God for many past negligences and sins, and; a just and merciful call to that self-humiliation before Him, which is ever pleasing to Him and profitable to ourselves. You admit that present chastisement from God is deserved by you, and will be both just and merciful; just because having often shut your heart against Him when He knocked at it by convictions of sin or duty, and calls to keep from the world's snares; it is just that now when you call on Him, He should seem to keep the door of His heart not so quickly or fully open as you wish. And surely such chastisement is merciful if you only view it, as light, compared with what you deserve. If God dealt with you according to your deserts, where would you now be? If we were more humble, we should never open our mouths to complain of any of God's dealings with us. And what greater fruit can we gather from prayer than a spirit of entire conformity to the will of God, and closer resemblance to our Saviour in His dereliction on the cross: My God, My God (He cried), Why hast Thou forsaken me? Was not all this according to God, His Father's will? Wait on God in faith and patience and submission. Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp