Being With God Together: Plan for Married CouplesSýnishorn

Acknowledge His Presence

Before Jesus left his disciples, he made it very clear in Matthew 28:20 that he would be with them. He said he would be with them “always” and “to the end of the age.” In Psalm 46 we are told God is a “very present help.” In Psalm 139 it’s clear that we could not escape God’s presence, even if we tried.

Too often, we view God like he is up in heaven sending us messages from above, instead of remembering his presence is placed right with us; and as believers in Jesus, within us. Being with God is the easiest thing in the world, because we don't have to do anything or change anything in order to be with him. He simply is always there.

But remembering and acknowledging that God is with us is where we can miss the mark. When we treat God like he is distant or hard to find, we miss out on experiencing his very real presence in our lives.

One way you can be with God together as a couple is by cultivating language and habits that acknowledge his presence. It can be as simple as saying “God, thank you for your presence.”

Try and shift the way you talk about God from talking about him like he is not in the room, to talking about him like he is in the room with you - because he is! There is no wrong way to pray. But language matters, and I believe if you use words that declare his presence, you’ll begin to operate more like you really believe his presence is there. You’ll begin to be more aware of his presence.

For example, instead of saying “God, please be with my husband as he walks through his day. Guide him in all his decisions and help him to honor you.” Try, “God, thank you for being with my husband. Guide him in all his decisions today and help him to be aware of you so he can honor you.”

Here are a few practical ways you can acknowledge God’s presence together:

• Thank God for his presence regularly in your prayers. (“Thank you for being here,” “thank you for your presence God,” “thank you that you are near to us,” etc.)
• Ask each other: how did you see God move today?
• Don’t anxiously await answers from God in your prayers, instead expect him to be with you as you go about your day serving him.
• When you feel like God is distant, tell each other about how you are feeling and encourage each other with the truth that God never leaves us.