Take a moment to breathe deeply. This week likely brought a variety of tasks, conversations, and activities. This morning, intentionally press pause. Reflect on the moments that come to mind. Where was God in those conversations? How did He show up in that meeting? What was He up to this week in your life? What new desires has He placed on your heart?

In our fast-paced society, we can get going really fast without reflecting on God’s presence in our lives. In reality, He is with us at all times but we don’t always intentionally practice being in His presence. We may understand this idea conceptually, but it can be challenging to truly be aware of Him. Today and this weekend take part in a few of these exercises (adapted from Dallas Willard’s presentation at a Spiritual Renewal Conference), as you feel led. These are not meant to be legalistic, but rather, life giving as we become more aware of God’s presence each moment.

WAKING IN THE MORNING Arise with praise to God. Seek seclusion to kneel for 5 or 10 minutes and welcome the presence of Jesus, renewing your invitation for Him to be with you each moment. Ask Him to remove all fear and fill you with His love. Specific concerns for the day should be called out. Declare your dependence upon Him, remembering His presence with you.

AS YOU ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE, Will the peace and joy within you to pass from you like living waters to those around you. It is in your body. You will it to enter others. Watch it happen. Sometimes by benediction or “good speaking,” sometimes in complete silence.

EVERY TWO TO THREE HOURS, Take ten minutes to lift a fully concentrated heart and mind to God in thanksgiving and petition, alone if possible. Sometimes you may do this by looking at the beauty of a flower or the sky or listening to beautiful music.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, Take fifteen minutes to review the day. Give thanks for the successes, and try to understand why any failures occurred. Ask Jesus for guidance in continuing the project. (Note: Don’t make this a part of your evening exercises. They are a part of the new day.)

BEGINNING OF THE DAY The biblical day, God’s day, begins in the early evening at sundown. In darkness we gather, we recollect, we praise, and we dream in the security God has given to us. Above all, we rest. Rest is an act of faith, especially today. As you retire, decide to meet with God first thing when you awake, and go over in your mind how that will be. Fall asleep in prayer. Use the simple prayers of childhood or the Lord’s Prayer or the 23rd Psalm.

No matter what happens today, cling to this truth of Philippians 4:6-7 from the Message Translation:

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

By Billy Berglund 

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