Practicing The Presence of God

What is the presence of God?

When Christians speak of the “presence of God” they are pointing to a single reality that shows up in several distinct but related ways: first, God’s omnipresence — the biblical truth that there is nowhere God is not, that He upholds and fills the whole universe with His being (Psalm 139; Jeremiah 23:24; Matthew 28:20) — which means there is never a place beyond His notice or care; second, God’s indwelling, the intimate reality that through the Holy Spirit God actually resides within every believer, making our bodies His temple and establishing an internal, ongoing fellowship that changes our identity and powers our transformation (John 14:16–17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Romans 8:9–11); and third, the manifest presence, a concentrated, observable outworking of God’s nearness in which His power, glory, or influence becomes unmistakable in a particular time and place — the felt peace that silences fear, the sudden conviction that exposes sin, the healing touch, the audible guidance, the prophetic word, the signs and wonders, or the overwhelming sense of awe that floods a congregation or an individual (Acts 2:1–4; Acts 4:31; 1 Corinthians 14). 

Practically speaking, these are not separate gods but facets of the same divine reality: the omnipresence guarantees God’s availability everywhere; the indwelling means every believer carries a living connection to God that reshapes motives, desires, and capacities for holy living; and the manifest presence makes that connection undeniable to senses and circumstances, often catalyzing repentance, courage, mission, or restoration. The presence of God therefore functions as God’s active support, guidance, and power in the world and in individual lives: it counsels and convicts, it comforts and confronts, it arms the weak with strength and the timid with boldness, it illuminates decisions and opens doors, it heals wounds and redeems stories. According to Scripture,  this presence ties into the work of creation, divine guidance, and redemption — God’s sustaining presence keeps the world in perspective, His indwelling presence begins the work of making us holy and like Christ, and His manifest presence points forward to the finished work of when God dwells openly with His people (Revelation 21). 

Practically, the experience of God’s presence is both subjective and objective: subjective in that believers describe inner transformation, overwhelming peace, deep joy, or piercing conviction; objective in that communities are often measurably changed — relationships reconciled, lives repented, ministries empowered, miracles occurring — when God’s manifest presence meets people. There are some Christian Leaders who may speak caution into this reality: experiences must be tested by Scripture and discerned within the spiritual community so we do not elevate feelings above truth or mistake emotional intensity for spiritual maturity (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11), and the presence of God never replaces obedience, holiness, and the ordinary means of grace; rather, it sanctifies them. Being aware of and cultivating the presence of God is not and should not be counted as mysticism! Unfortunately, it has been divorced from various aspects of our everyday life but for believers, it should always be a practical pursuit. 

These are some scriptures that I found that reference the “Presence of God.” I dived into a deep study of the presence and I was led to share my notes in this article regarding the Presence of God. I have also included each and every Scripture that I found that references the actual “Presence of God” or when the Father himself makes mention of His presence. I encourage you to study each scripture IN CONTEXT so that you can gain the clarity you need when coming into your own personal journey and personal study into practicing the Presence of God. 

• Genesis 3:8
  • And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 
• Genesis 4:16
  • And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord; and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. 
• Exodus 33:14-15
  • And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 
• Leviticus 22:3
  • Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the Lord, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the Lord. 
• 2 Kings 13:23
  • And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet. 
• 2 Kings 24:20
  • For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 
• 1 Chronicles 16:27
  • Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 
• 1 Chronicles 16:33
  • Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. 
• 2 Chronicles 20:9
  • If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgement, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou will hear and help. 
• 2 Chronicles 34:4
  • And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on thigh above them, he cut down and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 
• Job 1:12
  • And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not for th thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. 
• Job 2:7
  • So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smooth Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 
• Job 23:15
  • Therefore am I troubled at his presence when I consider, I am afraid of him. 
• Psalm 16:11
  • Thou will shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 
• Psalm 17:2
  • Let my silence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. 
• Psalm 31:20
  • Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. 
• Psalm 51:11
  • Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 
• Psalm 68:2
  • As smoke is driven away, so drive them away as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 
• Psalm 68:8
  • The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 
• Psalm 95:2
  • Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 
• Psalm 97:5
  • The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 
• Psalm 100:2
  • Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 
• Psalm 139:7
  • Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
• Psalm 140:13
  • Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence. 
• Isaiah 19:1
  • The burden of Egypt, Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. 
• Isaiah 63:9
  • In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 
• Isaiah 64:1-3
  • Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thought camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 
• Jeremiah 4:26
  • I beheld, and lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger. 
• Jeremiah 5:22
  • Fear ye not me? Saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
• Jeremiah 23:39
  • Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: 
• Jonah 1:3
  • But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 
• Jonah 1:10
  • Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
• Nahum 1:5
  • The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. 
• Zephaniah 1:7
  • Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. 
• Luke 1:19
  • And the angel answering saith unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 
• Acts 3:19
  • Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 
• 1 Corinthians 1:29
  • That no flesh should glory in his presence. 
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19
  • For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing, Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
• 2 Thessalonians 1:9
  • Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 
• Hebrews 9:24
  • For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 
• Jude 1:24
  • Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 

So, What does it actually mean to “Practice The Presence of God?”

To “practice the presence of God” means to consistently remain aware of God’s presence throughout the day by acknowledging it in all activities, both big and small. It is an active, ongoing spiritual discipline that involves consciously inviting God into every moment, sharing all experiences with him, and living with the belief that he is always with you. This practice can include internal reflection, prayer, and bringing a sense of worship to even the smallest tasks. “Practicing the presence of God” means living with a conscious, everyday awareness of God’s constant presence. It involves acknowledging God in all activities, from waking up to working, praying, or even just living your daily life. The practice is about actively and habitually remembering and conversing with God, seeing Him as a loving companion who is always near. Practicing the Presence of God is more than just “having a little talk with Jesus and telling Him all about your troubles!” When you “practice the presence of God,” you are having a consistent conversation with Him all throughout your day! In those times that you would call a friend to vent about a vexation, instead, you would share that experience with the Father, according to Psalm 34:15 and allow Him to carry that weight for you. That’s what it means to “practice the presence of God!”

Key aspects of “practicing the presence of God”

• Constant awareness: The core of the practice is to become consciously aware that God is continually with you, rather than distant or separate. Be mindful and aware: Remind yourself that God is with you at all times. Say it verbally! Speak to the Father just as if you were speaking to a friend or a neighbor. This isn’t about inviting God to be present, but about recognizing that God is already there.
• Living through activities: It involves not just being aware of God, but living your entire day with him, sharing every experience, from waking up to going to work, to performing simple tasks like typing or washing dishes. Engage in simple activities: Integrate God into daily routines. For example, you can reflect on the goodness of the Lord while showering or acknowledge that Jesus is accompanying you while traveling.
• Internal dialogue: This can be as simple as mentally saying “Jesus, come with me” to each task, or a more general “interior gaze” of awareness. Using prayers intentionally and strategically can assist with disciplining yourself to have daily conversations with the Father.  Prayer is a key aspect, but it can also involve having a simple, internal “conversation” with God throughout the day. Some may use a short phrase or verse as a way to return their focus to God, like a “breath prayer”. “Lord, give me strength!” or “Father, I trust you!” or “Father, I thank you for helping me get through this!”
• Faith over feelings: It is a practice of faith, believing in God’s presence even when you don’t feel it, rather than relying on emotions.
• Incorporating prayer and praise: It includes regular prayer, meditation on scripture, and expressions of praise and thanks to God throughout the day. 
• Turn thoughts to God: Make a conscious effort to direct your thoughts toward God throughout the day, viewing God as the aim of all your desires.
• Do your work with love: Frame your work and common activities as an act of love and worship to God, rather than just to please men.
• Practice a habit of fellowship: This is a continuous practice that involves seeking God daily to overcome personal struggles and find renewed strength.

The presence of God is not a distant mystery or a fleeting spiritual high — it is the very essence of divine relationship, the heartbeat of every believer’s journey, and the atmosphere in which true transformation occurs. To live aware of His presence is to live awake — conscious that the Almighty walks with you, dwells within you, and moves through you. It is to see your ordinary moments become sacred spaces where heaven touches earth. When we honor His presence, we begin to move from mere belief into communion, from religion into relationship, from striving into resting, and from fear into confidence. Everything in the life of a believer — power, peace, direction, and purpose — flows out of this one reality: God is with us, God is in us, and God desires to reveal Himself through us. To neglect His presence is to live unaware of the greatest treasure we have been given; but to pursue, cherish, and host His presence daily is to experience the Kingdom of God breaking forth in our thoughts, homes, and world. So, guard that awareness. Cultivate that intimacy. Make room for Him — and you will find that the presence of God is not just something you feel; it’s the atmosphere in which you were always meant to live.