When do we go to God? Why do we seek His presence? Probably it is often for help in some difficult situation we face. Sometimes it is for peace and solace in the middle of an oppressing storm. Sometimes we turn to God on behalf of our friends and loved ones or to confess our wayward ways.

 

God honors all these. In fact, perhaps more than anything else, He just wants us to spend time with Him. He doesn’t need us, yet values a personal relationship with us.   But practicing the presence of God is a discipline that requires guidance throughout the day. Without it you will likely find every little thing drawing your attention away and in the process, forgetting who you really are and why you are so busy anyway.

 

Does it sometimes feel like your visit with God in the morning is to get your marching orders and then you report back to Him at night?  The problem is, we need His guidance throughout the day too. That is why He gave us the Holy Spirit, so we would have access to His power, wisdom, grace, and truth moment by moment. God never intended you to take marching orders and then face the battle all alone.  We need to practice the presence of God in our moment by moment lives to stand firm and focused.

 

But in our busy lives, how do we stay focused? It may help to use simple post-it-note reminders to draw your attention from the mundane to the One who loves you dearly, the One who wants to guide you safely through your day.  Putting notes in your car, on your computer, on the bathroom mirror, TV, book stand, and refrigerator (etc) will draw your attention to your God and prompt you to thank Him and seek His guidance. You have so many transition moments in each day between one task and another that can serve as opportunities to acknowledge God. Learning the discipline of one and two-word prayers may usher in His presence during those times. (We might find value in this at prayer meetings too, instead of filling the air with endless words.) Daniel set aside seven times each day to stay connected with God. You can too: when you rise, at each meal, at morning and afternoon break times, and before you go to sleep. The number of times is probably not so important as your desire to turn to God throughout the day.

 

Seek His presence. Find His power and His plan for your life.