Seeking God's Presence

Earlier this week, I prayed with a young woman who was feeling like she had loss the Presence of God in her life. We talked and prayed, but I didn't feel like I had any viable suggestions until later, so I sent her this message: "In the next day or so after we spoke and prayed, I felt like there were a couple of other things that might help you feel closer to the Lord. • Spiritual disciplines (especially prayer and Bible reading) are always the first thing everyone mentions because so few are faithful with them (including myself). I’m so glad to know you are going forward with regular prayer and Bible reading, which enables us as Christians to stand our ground. Just like it says in Revelation 13: 10b (which speaks of a time during the Great Tribulation, but also applies to today), “Meanwhile God’s holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground.” (The Message) You are doing well by standing firm in these disciplines. • One thing that has helped me to grow closer to God has been more repentance. At a very crucial moment in my life, I was overwhelmed with tears (hours of them) and the only way I was able to stop was asking God to forgive me for whatever it was. It was several years before I even knew what I had been repenting for. But that moment of repentance opened the door for layers and layers of healing that’s happened since. It might be that you have nothing to repent – but asking God to show you can open a door to His Presence. Sylvia Gunter’s ‘Prayer Portions’ might help you work through some areas of repentance and forgiveness. (I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time getting started.) Consider each question – maybe one or two a day, and search your soul for any way you might have agreed with evil, and ask God to forgive and redirect you. (“See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me into life everlasting.” – Psalm 139:24) • Others have testified that at times it seems like the Lord hides himself in order that we will seek Him more diligently. Whether or not that’s the case here, this is definitely a time to establish and develop more trust in God. He is there – He is active – He is for you, not against you. * I believe the spiritual warfare you need to do involves prophecying to yourself. Tell yourself, like the psalmist, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5. Speak the Scriptures out loud to yourself. • And finally, a quote from Mike Bickle (International House of Prayer): “The small prayers of weak and broken people move the heart of God.” Even if you're 'not feeling it'. Sylvia Gunter's devotional 'Seeking God' is at this link: