Gerhard Tersteegen · The Letters

Reading guide · Trusting God in spiritual dryness

Trusting God in spiritual dryness

There are seasons when prayer brings little felt comfort. These two letters speak to readers acquainted with weakness, discouragement, and dryness. Their counsel invites a gentle trust in God’s unchanging love and a patient willingness to keep turning toward Him.

Begin with the Pentecost letter on God’s unchanging love, then read the counsel to a sister enduring inward dryness. Take your time with each. When a passage gives words to your own prayer, you can pause there before continuing.

A reading guide to selected letters by Gerhard Tersteegen, translated into English by Jarred Fenlason. The introductions are editorial; each link opens a complete letter with its sources and notes.

  1. His love remains unchanged

    Writing at Pentecost to a friend acquainted with weakness and discouragement, Tersteegen encourages a gentle, childlike trust in God’s unchanging love, even when His presence brings no felt comfort.

    Preparation for a true Pentecost. The knowledge of the inner way is a rare grace. God is the unchangeable Love, even in dryness and darkness. How to bear oneself in it.

    Volume I · Part I · Letter 3

  2. Loving Him in the dryness

    To a sister enduring spiritual dryness, Tersteegen speaks of humility, dependence on grace, and patiently waiting upon God. He encourages her to continue loving and praising the Lord, who remains worthy of her love.

    Useful instruction, how one must conduct oneself in inward dryness.

    Volume II · Part IV · Letter 13

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