Presence
To be with god.
presence
be with god
The best thing you will get from this church is God. We really believe God is full of love for you. The life-giving presence of Jesus is available to you today. Our aim is to be a people committed to a daily practice of seeking God together.
The presence of God is our birthright as spiritual daughters and sons. In God’s presence, we are healed; our imaginations come alive with vision. Misconceptions that have grown with distance melt away in renewed love. It is where we experience both the burning holiness of our Father and the covering mercy of the Son.
Here we remember our truest identity as the Spirit sings and speaks and pours out love. The presence of God is our joy, rest, reward, and the distinguishing feature of God’s people.
Scroll down for recommended practices and resources to pursue Presence in your life.
PRACTICING PRESENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Here are some examples of ways to practice spending time in God’s presence. We’re currently working on filming a series of Practices that will help serve as a guide for each practice.
LECTIO DIVINA
Translated ‘sacred reading’, this ancient practice offers a way to read the Scriptures slowly and prayerfully.
SABBATH
This keystone practice involves setting aside one day a week to rest, to cease from your work, and simply enjoy God, our relationships, and creation.
BIBLE READING
Spend daily time with Jesus through the Gospels. There are many ways that you might select a Gospel reading for the day. The main thing is simply to find a passage that is a manageable length for the time you have set aside.
SILENCE AND SOLITUDE
These two practices make up a powerful formative duo that have been relied upon by followers of Jesus across the ages.
PSALM JOURNAL
Use Israel’s prayer book as a starting place for honest conversation with God.
PRAYER OF EXAMEN
This ancient practice provides for a prayerful reflection on the day typically undertaken shortly before going to bed.
WORSHIP WALK
Some people find it easier to engage with God while out in creation or while moving their bodies.
POSTURES OF PRAYER
Experiment with employing various postures as you spend time with God in prayer.
RESOURCES ON PRESENCE
Finding practical ways to incorporate spiritual practices into your life isn’t easy. It takes time to develop a rhythm, and these recommended resources are available to help you get started:
Practice Module
Presence, Formation & Love
by Timothy & McCaila Andrews
Books & Articles
Practicing The Way of Jesus
by Mark Scandrette
The Practice of the Presence of God
by Brother Lawrence
Digital Tools
Lectio 365: mobile app with morning and evening prayers for every day of the year.
Daily Lectionary: website and mobile app with scheduled, pre-assigned daily Bible readings.
Read Scripture: mobile app by the Bible Project for daily Scripture reading.
Bible in One Year: mobile app by Alpha International for daily Scripture reading.
Inner Room: mobile app and personal prayer tool to track the things that matter to you.
God is here when we are wholly unaware of it. He is manifest only when and as we are aware of His Presence. If we cooperate with [the Spirit of God] in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us, and that will be the difference between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face.
— AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God