Practice the Presence

Introduction

You are invited to “Practice the Presence” this Fall. In a year filled with disruption, disappointment, and division, you are invited to cultivate the non-anxious presence of God. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” This is still his invitation, even in 2020. The hope is that your faith would not just survive (in 2020), but thrive (in Christ). To that end, you are invited to participate in “7 practices for an anxious age.” Don’t be overwhelmed by all 7 practices, explore one practice at a time. (Click + to explore more)

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7 Practices for an Anxious Age

01

Begin with God

What you give your mind to first thing in the morning has a way of setting the pace of your entire day. The morning is often the best time to establish your heart and mind in the peace and presence of God — before everything else comes rushing at you for your attention. (Click + to explore more)

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” — Psalm 143:8.

Suggestions for becoming more present to the moment:

Focus on your breathing: Breath in through your nose and out through your lips (as if blowing through a straw). Make the connection with the Holy Spirit being like breathe filling you.
Keep a notepad: If you have thoughts or concerns that come to your mind that are distracting, jot them down to get back to later.
Light a candle: Remind yourself that Jesus came as the light of the world.
Come with coffee: Remember Jesus is a hospitable host — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise...
Choose a helpful posture: Oftentimes our minds follow our posture. You may benefit from kneeling or having your palms up in a posture of receiving.

Suggested Reading:

Read and meditate on a different Psalm each morning (consider using The Devotional Psalter)
Read your way slowly through The Gospel of Matthew
The One Year Bible
Seeking God's Face: Praying with the Bible Through the Year
Download the Sacred Space app

02

End with God

So often our last waking moments are given to work, TV, or scrolling online. We go to bed exhausted and worn out. Be encouraged to end each day resting in the non-anxious presence of God. Before going to sleep, simply walk through the event of your day taking inventory of all that has happened (a form of The Daily Examen). Hand them over to God and receive from him his rest. (Click + to explore more)

03

Limit Media

We spend a lot of time throughout the day looking at screens or listening to media. But we don’t often consider the impact they have on us emotionally. Media is often designed to influence precisely those areas that Jesus longs to form — our hopes, fears, and desires. This doesn’t mean media is bad, but wisdom is required if we want to experience a growing peace and presence of God in our lives. (Click + to explore more)

“If there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” — Philippians 4:8-9

Articles:

Books:

Watch:

The Social Dilemma (yah...we get the irony of suggesting watching a film on a practice to "limit media")

04

Grow Gratitude

Gratitude is an antidote to anxiety. Anxiety is concerned about what will come (in the future), gratitude is to be thankful for what we have (in the present). It is no wonder that one of the most often repeated commands in the Bible is to “give thanks.” One of the ways we practice the peace and presence of God is by taking time to recognize God’s provision through gratitude. (Click + to explore more)

“It is good to give thanks to the LORD” — Psalm 92:1

Ideas:

Write down things you're grateful for daily and take turns sharing them around the table
Open up each prayer with thanksgiving before requests
Take up a habit of writing "thank you" cards to others
Make a “Thanksgiving chain”

Links:

Article: Why Gratittude is Good (the benefits of gratitude at a scientific level)

05

Do Something Physical

God made you in his image — both soul and body. In other words, you don’t have a body or soul. You are both body and soul. Yet oftentimes when we consider spiritual life, it is to the neglect of the body. There is importance in doing things that remind us to be present to the moment through the body particularly in an anxious age — “So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20). (Click + to explore more)

06

Reach Out to Others

The identifying mark of those who follow Jesus is their love for one another. This is our unique witness to the world. Identity in Jesus cuts across all other divisions and forms a counter-cultural reality. Cultivating this community its the responsibility of each follower of Jesus. Be encouraged to reach out to others, not simply waiting for others to reach out to you. (Click + to explore more)

07

Sabbath Worship

The Sabbath is God’s gift. It is a day without work, worry, or want. Many of us can’t fathom this reality — particularly in a culture that obsesses over productivity. Yet, throughout all of Scripture, Sabbath is an act of worship, trust, delight, and rest. Practicing Sabbath today is an opportunity to experience the peace and presence of God in a profound weekly rhythm of renewal. (Click + to explore more)

“The Sabbath was made for man” — Mark 2:27

Articles:

Books: