As we learn to slow down through practices like silence, prayer, and sacred reading, we begin to discover something deeper. God’s presence is not limited to church services, devotional moments, or special spiritual experiences. He is present in every part of our lives. The practice of the presence of God is the intentional awareness that God is with us not only in moments of worship, but also in the ordinary rhythms of everyday life.
For many people, life becomes divided into sacred and ordinary spaces. We may feel close to God during prayer or while reading Scripture, but disconnected from Him during work, errands, conversations, or daily responsibilities. Yet throughout Scripture, we see a different picture. God walks with His people in the middle of ordinary life. The invitation is not simply to visit moments of God’s presence, but to learn to live with an ongoing awareness of Him throughout the day.
This practice is not complicated, but it does require attentiveness. It often begins through small moments of returning our attention to God. A quiet prayer while driving. A moment of gratitude during a meal. A pause to become aware of His presence in the middle of a difficult conversation. Over time, these small acts of awareness begin to shape the way we live. We become less hurried, less distracted, and more grounded in the reality that we are never alone.
On the Christian Practices website, you will find resources and rhythms designed to help cultivate this kind of attentiveness in daily life. The goal is not to create pressure to constantly think about God every moment of the day, but to gently develop a life that remains open and aware of His presence. As you continue this journey, remember that spiritual formation is not only about isolated moments with God. It is about learning to walk with Him in the ordinary places of life, discovering that He has been present there all along.
Steve Lawes serves as the lead pastor of Keys Vineyard Church, founder of the Online Bible Institute Network, and leads the Christian Practices initiative through Tower of Praise, Inc. His heart is to help people grow in a steady and authentic relationship with God through simple, accessible rhythms of Scripture, prayer, and spiritual formation.
