PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Max Lucado in his book, JUST LIKE JESUS, gives four ways to practice the presence of God each day. I ask you to prayerfully ponder them today.

1. Give God your waking thoughts. "Before you step out of bed, step into His presence." C. S. Lewis says, "The moment you wake up each morning . . . all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job of each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in." David said, "Every morning, I tell You what I need, and I wait for Your answer." Psalm 5:3

2. Give God your waiting thoughts. Rather that rush into His presence and start yakking, why not try sitting in silence and being still! "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10. Someone once asked Mother Teresa, "What do you say to God when you pray?" Mother Teresa answered, "I listen." The answer puzzled the person who asked the question, and they asked "What does God say?" Mother Teresa smile, "He listens!"

3. Give God your whispering thoughts. "Through the centuries Christians have learned the value of brief sentence prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting One of the church historians would ask every three or four minutes, "Am I in your will, Lord?" "Am I pleasing you, Lord?" Max suggests several others -- "Thank You, Father." "Be sovereign in this hour, Lord." "You are my resting place, Jesus."

4. Give God your waning thoughts. "At the end of the day, let your mind settle on Him. Conclude the day as you began it: talking to God. Thank Him for the good parts. Question the bad parts. Seek His mercy. Seek His strength. And as you close your eyes, take assurance in the promise: 'He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.' (Psalm 121:4) If you fall asleep as you pray, don't worry. What a better place to doze off than in the arms of the Lord."