CONQUERING ACEDIA: PRAYING WHEN PRAYER SEEMS DIFFICULT.

OUTLINE 

The Concept of Acedia
Different Forms of Acedia
Acedia as Spiritual Sloth
Melancholy 
Humility 
Progressive Growth to Contemplation
The saints and Acedia
St. Teresa of Jesus
St. Therese of the Child Jesus
St. Teresa of Calcutta 
Conquering Acedia
Fervency
Spiritual Direction
Group prayer (Community)
Openness to the Spirit
Conclusion

The Concept of Acedia

The Idea of Acedia in Christendom is an age-old experience. The term Acedia is sometimes used to imply a spiritual sloth or in fact a deadly sin. However, in more contemporary times, some spiritual writers equate it with spiritual dryness. Thus, the term will be discussed to reflect both meanings separately. Basically, in this reflection, it covers the scope of spiritual repugnance or difficulty in prayer. 
There is, obviously, no need to emphasize, afresh, the importance of prayer. St. Francis teaches that, “with the strongest commitment, we cultivate 'the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to which all temporal things must contribute'” and according to Saint John Chrysostom, “it is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life… it is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.”
Acedia, then, in this context, simply means a condition in which we find it difficult to pray be it by our own fault, conditions beyond our control or by the making of the Divine.