Practicing the Presence of God

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10a

These words were part of the prayer at the end of the devotion I read this morning.  “I pray that I may try to practice the presence of God.”  I read that and I wondered, what does that mean?  All day I have been asking myself that question. What does it mean to “practice the presence of God?”  A number of answers have come to mind.

Am I asking God to remind me all day long that He is always watching?  He always knows what I am doing, where I am, what I am thinking.  Mom used to tell me, “Always remember Wayne, whenever you think you are getting away with something – you aren’t.  There is always someone who sees you…” That statement is very true.  If no one else sees, God always sees.  How would it change our behavior if we were more mindful of that?  If we remembered that God is always present would it cause us to stop and think before saying or doing something we shouldn’t?  I hope so.

Or what about those moments when I am stressed or worried or fearful?  What would “practicing the presence of God” mean at times like that?   That’s a prayer worth praying. “Lord, when I am stressed or worried or fearful, at those moments remind me that I am not alone.  Bring peace to my troubled heart by reminding me that you are present.  You are with me.   You can handle what ever it is that has me worried and stress.  Speak to me at those moments, as you do here in Psalm 46 – “Be still and know that I am God.”  Let your presence breath peace into my soul. 

It also seems to me that “practicing the presence of God” means that when I don’t know how to handle a certain situation, I can seek out His help.  When I don’t know what decision to make, He is there.  I can turn to Him. I can ask Him.  After all He has invited me to do that.  “Ask it shall be given.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened to you… for which of you, if your son asks him for bread will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?”

Certainly, “practicing the presence of God” means taking advantage of the times, the places and the means where He has promised to be present.  When someone stops by to visit you, you don’t ignore them.  You spend time with them.  You talk with and listen to them.  Do the same with God.  He promises that when two or three gather together in His name, He is there with us.  He is present when we worship.  In Holy Communion, He gives us Himself to eat and drink.  He listens when we pray.  He speaks to us through His Word.  Practice His presence by regular worship… by coming to His table… by talking to Him daily in prayer… Be a “Mary” and daily sit quietly at the feet of Jesus – pray, read, listen. 

Our God has said to us, “Be still and know that I am God.”   Jesus has invited us, “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Take time every chance you get to recognize Him, to sit at His feet and listen to Him, to be renewed and fed at His table, to bring Him your joys and your needs in prayer.  Practice the presence of God every day… His presence changes everything… changes  you.  Amen.