Four Simple Ways to Dwell in the Presence of God

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"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." -- Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

Seven women gathered around the redwood table in my backyard. The birds were serenading us, and a cool breeze blew through at regular intervals, cooling those who had just returned from a prayer walk.

Scones, fruit, and cheese filled our plates. Iced tea, iced coffee and iced water were quenching our parched lips, but I sensed a need to quench our parched souls even more.

I handed a new prayer journal to the friend who had organized the walk. She gratefully accepted it and immediately dove in for a drink of the Living Water. The verse she opened to was this:

"When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies." (Jeremiah 15:16)

We discussed what it means to “devour” God’s Word. We shared stories of times God gave us just the right Scripture at just the right moment—words we may have read dozens of times but that landed like special gifts from a loving Father. Sometimes we remembered them by heart; more often, they appeared in our “routine” Bible reading, like buried treasures uncovered at just the right time.

And then I asked this question. “What is your prayer routine?”

There was a sacredness about this moment as one by one the ladies shared about starting their days with a prayer of gratitude, praying for forgiveness, family, friends, or finances, praying throughout the day, praying through Scripture, or praying the Psalms.

The discussion was deep and personal, and then we prayed… and prayed some more. Gratitude was poured out. Scriptures were claimed. Hearts were open. Needs were made known. We lifted up the sick, broken, and hurting to Jehovah Rapha, our healer.

I didn’t want it to end. The last person said “Amen,” and then we sat in the stillness and presence of the Holy Spirit. The birds continued to sing praises, and we worshiped with them.

I have reflected on this day many times in the past month. I truly felt God’s presence like I have never felt it before. But the truth is God is always present. It is me who needs to recognize and walk in that presence daily and moment by moment. And there are four key paths to experience and be in God’s presence:

· Be in the Word

· Be in prayer

· Be in fellowship

· Be still

I want more of those sacred moments. I want more fully recognize the presence of God in my daily walk. Do you?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you long to experience God’s presence more deeply?

2. When have you most felt God near?

3. What reminders in nature or your daily life help you notice His presence?

4. What might need to shift in your daily rhythms to invite more of God in?