Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Aug 25, 2007 11:54:48 GMT -5
PRACTICING THE PRESENCE
by Max Lucado
How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect his unseen hand on
my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows familiar
with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the
voice of God? Here are a few ideas:
Give God your waking thoughts.
Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed,
step into his presence. I have a friend who makes it a habit to roll out
of his bed onto his knees and begin his day in prayer. Personally, I
don’t get that far. With my head still on the pillow and my eyes still
closed, I offer God the first seconds of my day. The prayer is not
lengthy and far from formal. Depending on how much sleep I got, it may not
even be intelligible. Often it’s nothing more than “Thank you for
a night’s rest. I belong to you today.”
Give God your waiting thoughts.
Spend time with him in silence. The mature married couple has learned
the treasure of shared silence; they don’t need to fill the air with
constant chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being silent
with God. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10 niv).
Awareness of God is a fruit of stillness before God.
Give God your whispering thoughts.
Through the centuries Christians have learned the value of brief
sentence prayers, prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting.
Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with
God. By giving God your whispering thoughts, the common becomes
uncommon. Simple phrases such as “Thank you, Father,” “Be sovereign in
this hour, O Lord,” “You are my resting place, Jesus” can turn a
commute into a pilgrimage. You needn’t leave your office or kneel in
your kitchen. Just pray where you are. Let the kitchen become a
cathedral or the classroom a chapel. Give God your whispering thoughts.
And last, 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
him about the hard 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” (Ps. 121:4 niv). If you fall
asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in
the arms of your Father.
From Just Like Jesus
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1998, 2001) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com
by Max Lucado
How do I live in God’s presence? How do I detect his unseen hand on
my shoulder and his inaudible voice in my ear? A sheep grows familiar
with the voice of the shepherd. How can you and I grow familiar with the
voice of God? Here are a few ideas:
Give God your waking thoughts.
Before you face the day, face the Father. Before you step out of bed,
step into his presence. I have a friend who makes it a habit to roll out
of his bed onto his knees and begin his day in prayer. Personally, I
don’t get that far. With my head still on the pillow and my eyes still
closed, I offer God the first seconds of my day. The prayer is not
lengthy and far from formal. Depending on how much sleep I got, it may not
even be intelligible. Often it’s nothing more than “Thank you for
a night’s rest. I belong to you today.”
Give God your waiting thoughts.
Spend time with him in silence. The mature married couple has learned
the treasure of shared silence; they don’t need to fill the air with
constant chatter. Just being together is sufficient. Try being silent
with God. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10 niv).
Awareness of God is a fruit of stillness before God.
Give God your whispering thoughts.
Through the centuries Christians have learned the value of brief
sentence prayers, prayers that can be whispered anywhere, in any setting.
Imagine considering every moment as a potential time of communion with
God. By giving God your whispering thoughts, the common becomes
uncommon. Simple phrases such as “Thank you, Father,” “Be sovereign in
this hour, O Lord,” “You are my resting place, Jesus” can turn a
commute into a pilgrimage. You needn’t leave your office or kneel in
your kitchen. Just pray where you are. Let the kitchen become a
cathedral or the classroom a chapel. Give God your whispering thoughts.
And last, 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
him about the hard 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” (Ps. 121:4 niv). If you fall
asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in
the arms of your Father.
From Just Like Jesus
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1998, 2001) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com