Over the years, this has been the one subject that I love to study and talk about more than anything else. However, I have not always been so faithful in the execution of it. I have failed many times. But, each time I’ve entered into His presence, my Father has been there, waiting for me with open arms and unfathomable love!
Psalm 84:1-2 AMP says, How lovely are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.
My heart’s cry is to dwell in His presence. He is the Source of true contentment and peace. He is the Source of all strength. Nothing and no one else can ever satisfy. He is what our spirits crave.
But we can be so easily distracted. (See my blog post, Get Rid of the Weeds, for more on this subject.) There always seems to be someone or something demanding our time and attention. And if we go too long without pulling ourselves away, we can become “dull” to the things of God.
To avoid becoming “spiritually dull” we must learn how to dwell in His presence continually. But how do we learn to do this? Anytime you are “learning” something new, you must practice. And we have to practice remaining in the presence of God.
It is daily decision that we must make to seek Him. We can make the decision that we are going to “dwell in His presence all the days of our lives” (Ps. 27:4) one moment and then the next moment feel as if we are as far away from His presence as we have ever been. We must choose His presence. It is a daily (sometimes moment by moment) choice.
This is where “practicing the presence of God” comes in. We must practice focusing our attention on Him. We must practice turning our hearts to Him. In this world, it doesn’t come naturally or easily. But the more you spend time with the Father, the more you begin to crave Him.
One way we practice His presence is found in Psalm 84:4 AMP: Blessed are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; they will be singing Your praises all the day long.
When we sing His praises – songs of love and worship to Him throughout the day, it helps us to keep our focus on Him. Our hearts are turned toward him and our eyes are fixed on Him.
I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. How many times have you been down or discouraged, but you made yourself sing to the Lord? You know that wonderful, uplifting, burden-removing feeling that His presence brings!
Another way we practice His presence is by simply talking to Him throughout the day. I don’t mean a monologue where you’re the only one talking—I mean a dialogue where you speak to Him and then listen for His voice speaking to you. He will speak to you. He desires your company. He created you for fellowship!
When you listen for His still, small voice and learn to obey it, things will change in your life. You will change. Your relationships will change. Your circumstances will change.
You can experience God’s presence throughout the day – every day – as you learn to focus your attention on Him even in the midst of your hectic life. In fact, He will even show you what things to lay aside so that you can have more time to be with Him.
Psalm 26:8 AMP says, Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.
I want to be in the place where God’s glory dwells. I want to know Him and His ways. I want to be changed in His presence from glory to glory. I want to grow in the things of God. I want to be in the place where He can use me for His glory. Don’t you? Then begin to practice His presence on a daily basis. In His presence is fullness of joy!
(For further insight on this subject, I recommend the book, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence.)
Thanks Alisha! I remember you and I talking about this when we visited you in Oklahoma!! Love you girl!
Wow, Sandy! That was a LONG time ago! When Olivia & MK were babies, right?
Thanks for sharing this! I *try* to spend time asking the Holy Spirit to fill me each morning before Bible study to start my day off focusing on Him.
Amen, Mary Beth! The best way to start each morning.
Thanks for linking up Alisha!
Alisha, thanks for sharing this! “We must choose His presence. It is a daily (sometimes moment by moment) choice.” This is so true. He longs to be intimately woven into our lives, and that requires us to intentionally invite and include Him in every thought. I’m so thankful for His grace… because I get side-tracked so easily! Great post!
“He longs to be intimately woven into our lives…” That is so beautiful (and so true), Mary! Love it! Thank you for visiting. Blessings to you, Alisha
“My heart’s cry is to dwell in His presence” May that be mine as well.
It has been several years since I’ve read Practice of the Presence of God. I think I need to pull it off the shelf.
I was next to you at Multitudes on Mondays!
Isn’t it a wonderful book? Thank you for visiting, Melanie. I will head over to visit your blog. Blessings, Alisha
Alisha,
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” I’ve found that I am most successful in practicing his presence when I go into the secret place of communion with God each morning, just me and him (and the dog), and sit at his feet. He talks to me, I talk to him, and I secure his presence. When I leave that “secret place,” I rest in the shadow of the Almighty the rest of the day. What a privilege to have an audience with the King every day!
I’m visiting from Be Not Weary today, and glad I did. 🙂
Alisha,
One of the “secrets” I’ve found for practicing His presence is to have some reminder that He is there. The one that has worked best for me on days when I’m at home is to take a big fat candle and set it where I will see it in the kitchen and the family room/my office. I light the candle and every time it flickers and catches my eye I smile, because I remember God is there with me. Sometimes I have to laugh at my thoughts of worry or plans when I realize (again) that God is there with me, other times I just thank Him for being there.
I’m visiting from Titus 2sdays. Thanks for your words.
Sharon
What a beautiful idea, Sharon! Yes, He is always there to love us, guide us, comfort us, and whatever else we need! He is so faithful! Blessings to you, Alisha
Bless you, beautifully said.
Thank you, sweet Denise! Blessings to you today!
Today at Mass, Fr. Ron talked about the Martha/Mary dilemma. We are called to serve (Martha) AND we are to be still and attend to Jesus (Mary). Then his suggestion was for all the kids to try and find time to be still with Jesus–my 5 year old whispers to me “blah, blah, blah–why does everyone want us to have quiet time?!” We have mandatory quiet time of 15 minutes to be still–I suggest to the kids that they listen to God during this time. Sometimes I repeat the same bible verse over and over and I look over and the kids are all sleeping. Then my prayer changes to “thank you, God”
You inspire me each time I check in!
Be blessed.
“To dwell in His presence continually” This is definitely the goal. I get so distracted too.
Ah, yes…to remember to sit daily with him…. Thank you!
Beautiful post. It is so easy to get distracted by the little things isn’t it. I want those things to be gone and be in His precense alone! Thank you for linking up!
Blessings~
Shari
Amen, Shari. Me too! Blessings!