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Practicing the Presence of God

Family, These are indeed the days in which we live: a time when the Church of God must stand as a beacon of courage, willingness, humility, openness, prayerfulness, and an insatiable hunger for His presence. Our purpose: to carry His presence into the world.

The presence of God—sounds mysterious, and in one way, it is, yet it's also beautifully simple. His presence is not a separate entity within the Trinity; it's His nearness, a divine "God With Us." Immanuel. We are the very dwelling place of His presence. Where His people gather, His presence abounds—an empowering, abundant, and abiding force.

The term "Practicing the presence of God" first reached my ears through a Carmelite Monk's teachings from the 1600s, compiled in a book under the same title.

‘I regard myself as the most wretched of all men, stinking and covered with sores, and as one who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King. Overcome by remorse, I confess all my wickedness to Him, ask His pardon and abandon myself entirely to Him to do with as He will. But this King, filled with goodness and mercy, far from chastising me, lovingly embraces me, makes me eat at His table, serves me with His own hands, gives me the keys of His treasures and treats me as His favourite. He talks with me and is delighted with me in a thousand and one ways; He forgives me and relieves me of my principle bad habits without talking about them; I beg Him to make me according to His heart and always the more weak and despicable I see myself to be, the more beloved I am of God.”

― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Practice and repetition ingrain behaviour—like mastering an instrument. With constant practice, a natural response forms. And with diligent practice of being AWARE of His presence, the clarity of His voice grows, becoming the guiding light of every hour and day.

God's presence isn't merely a theoretical concept—it's an unwavering reality. Through salvation, we access life in its fullness. It's living with a heightened awareness of God's indwelling.

Our heavenly Father's presence on earth is a stunning fact—the raw, dynamic presence in our midst. His love, voice, direction, songs, and grace guide our purpose and calling.

We pray today to lead lives fully awake to His presence. May we be a people who carry His presence to a weary world.