The same God who formed every grain of sand and formed you in your mother’s womb loves to hear your voice and loves it when you come before Him. The phrase “coming before God” is something people typically hear in church, when the pastor says, “Let us come before God in prayer,” or in James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

“Before the Lord” does not just mean praying to Him; it means entering God’s presence. This can be prayer, of course, but also acts of worship or moments when you find yourself seeking His guidance.

When we pray, we typically don’t feel an extraterrestrial presence or hear the voice of God to be sure that He is listening. However, God is constantly listening to us, even in our heads. “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16. When Jesus conquered sin on the cross, the barrier between humans and God was destroyed, meaning that the Holy Spirit (God) lives within us. So, if God is always with us, how do we “enter His presence?"

When a Christian has a deep desire for healing, wisdom or connection to God, the intentionality of entering the presence of God is to feel His goodness and speak to Him more intimately than a prayer in the car on the way to work or quickly asking Him for a good grade on a test.

Here are some helpful steps for entering God’s presence. Use these tools as a broad guide for proper biblical prayer, and with practice, they can become a habit for you to encounter God in a more special way that glorifies Him.

• Meditate on God’s presence: Take a moment to study some scripture on God’s character and His power, as you quiet your mind to the distractions of the outside world.
• Show thankfulness: Acknowledge God’s mercy and kindness that we are undeserving of, humbling yourself before Him with praise. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” — Psalm 100:4.
• Have faith: Nobody follows God’s commands perfectly, but if you trust in Him and love Him, He is more than happy to bless you and allow you to encounter His presence of peace.

God’s presence is food for our souls and healing for our brokenness. It is what anchors His people to their bigger purpose, one that is bigger than life’s daily struggles. Practicing purposefully entering a place where you can speak to God and feel Him without distraction is the way to strengthen your relationship with Him.

Practice This Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
I am so lucky that You chose to be near me and that You care for me deeply. Your presence is all I need to bring me through the trials and tribulations of this world. I pray that You will help me hear You through scripture so I may encounter Your everlasting peace and guidance. Please help me grow closer to You and teach me to seek Your presence more each day.
You are the Lord of lords, King of kings and the Alpha and Omega. Thank You for this day and for every moment you have given me.
In Jesus name,
Amen.