Simple Methods and Exercises for Practicing the Presence of Jesus

Learning how to put the commands of Jesus into practice is at the heart of what it means to be His disciple
(see Matthew 28:18-20). As Cornerstone’s Discipleship Pathway puts it, we are called to EMBODY the
Jesus Way of Life. But here’s the thing: There’s no way we can obey the commands of Jesus in our own
strength. And yet His presence with us makes all things possible. Obedience TO Jesus flows from
relationship WITH Jesus. The first step, therefore, in learning how to put Jesus’ commands into practice, is
learning how to be with Jesus—how to practice his presence moment by moment, in real time: “And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Jesus, Matthew 28:20b).

Practice Description
Touch Point Use a physical object as a tactile reminder that Jesus is always present with you.
Examples of touch points include:
 A small rock (“Jesus Rock”)
 An empty chair (you can also envision Jesus in the chair if you wish)
 A necklace with a cross pendant
 A pillow

Focal Point To help calm busy or anxious thoughts that might come between you and a simple
openness to Christ’s presence, fix your eyes on something concrete that represents
Jesus to you. It could be a scene of natural beauty, the flame of a candle, or a piece
of art. As your thoughts begins to wander—and they will!—renew your intention to
make yourself present to Jesus by gently returning your attention to your chosen
focal point.

Breath Prayers Whisper a short prayer phrase (short enough that it can be said in a single breath)
over and over throughout the day, as a simple means of opening yourself to the
presence of Jesus. This can be done aloud or silently in your spirit hundreds of times
a day with minimal distraction to your routine or concentration. Some examples
include:
• A short phrase of scripture, like, “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm
46:10), or, “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1)
• A truth that God wants to reinforce in your life: “I am God’s beloved,” or
“Jesus, LIFE is found in you alone.”

Palms Up/Down Throughout the day, surrender your thoughts and feelings to Jesus by turning one or
both of your palms down toward the floor, as if dropping these things at Jesus’ feet.
Then, turn your palm(s) upward as an act of receiving Christ’s love, forgiveness,
strength, and life. This can even be done discretely when you’re in the presence of
other people.

“We” Thinking Instead of using “I” language and thinking as you go about your day, include Jesus by
using “we” language. For example, instead of thinking, “What should I do?” think,
“What should we do, Lord?” Or instead of thinking, “I need to get to work now,”
think, “Lord, shall we go into work now?” It’s a way of turning your everyday
thought process into a running conversation with Jesus.

Strategically- Please or set reminders, such as Post-It notes, watch beeps, or phone alarms so that
Placed Reminders you’ll see or hear them and remember the presence of Jesus throughout the day.

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 Simple Methods and Exercises for Practicing the Presence of Jesus

Turning Daily Life  When you take a drink of water, coffee, or tea, remember that Jesus gives
Events Into Prayer us Living Water which alone quenches our soul thirst (see John 4)
 Whenever you eat, savour each bite, remembering that Jesus is the Bread of
Life (John 6:35)
 Walking through any doorway can represent walking into Jesus’ loving
presence, for he said, “I am the door…” (Matthew 10:9ff).
 Receiving an email or text can represent an opportunity to open yourself to
and receive Jesus love and LIFE.

Read, Watch TV, or When reading a book, watching TV or a movie, or surfing the Internet, do it “with”
Surf the Net with Jesus, as if you’re both exploring it together. Talk to Him about what you’re reading
Jesus or watching. Ask Him what He thinks or how He feels about it. Consider combining
this practice with “Touch Point” by using an empty chair or pillow to physically
represent the presence of Jesus to you while you read or watch.

Jesus Alongside Imagine Jesus alongside of you throughout the day. If you’re driving your car alone,
you may want to imagine him sitting in the passenger’s seat. When you walk, see
him walking next to you. Reach over occasionally as if holding hands with Jesus as
you walk, or sit, or drive. Frank Laubach says, “Some of us walk on the right side of
the sidewalk, leaving room for our Unseen Friend, whom we visualize walking by our
side.”

Jesus-Whispering Frank Laubach says, “We whisper ‘God’ or ‘Jesus’ or ‘Christ’ constantly as we glance
at every person near us… Perhaps there is no finer ministry than just to be in
meetings or crowds, whispering, ‘Jesus,’ and then helping people wherever you see
an opportunity.” Why not give it a try?

The Blessing Living in Christlike love must begin in our thoughts. When tempted to judge or have
Prayer harsh thoughts about another person, pray: “Lord, I agree with you that this person
is created in your image and that Jesus died for him/her. I pray your blessing on
his/her life now, in your name. Amen.” And the words don’t have to be exact when
you pray this way. It’s fine to paraphrase.

Holding Others Call individuals to mind, beginning with the people you feel the most connected to
Before God in Love and have the least conflict with. Simply name each person, one at a time, holding
them in memory for a few moments before God, who is Love (1 John 4:8). Visualize
it if you can. During this time, don’t focus on the faults or pressing needs of the
people you’re holding up before God. Just focus on your connection with them and
their beloved place before God. How does Jesus look at each person as you hold
them up before him? Is there anything that you see, hear, or feel? (There doesn’t
have to be.) As you’re able, progress to holding up people that you find difficult to
love. (Adapted from Mystically Wired by Ken Wilson.)

Floating in God’s Floating is a good illustration for what it means to rest in God’s love for you. Just as
Love floating involves putting your full weight on the water and trusting that it will
support you, resting in God’s love involves a release of effort, tension, and fear, as
we let go of self-dependence and transfer our dependence to God. Only as you let

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 Simple Methods and Exercises for Practicing the Presence of Jesus

go of your natural tendency to fight against sinking (“treading water”), do you

discover that God’s love fully supports you.

As an act of “floating” in God’s love, sit or lie down in a comfortable place.

Release the tension in your muscles. Feel the parts of your body relax as they
“sink” into the furniture. Let your body go limp. Every time your mind turns
to an anxious thought that makes you feel like you need to “fight” to “stay
afloat”, relax again into God’s love. And resting in God’s love is not a one-
time deal. There’s no need to feel guilty if you need to return to “floating”
after catching yourself “thrashing” again and again. It takes practice.

Frame Your Day Use a prayer book (like the Cornerstone Prayer Book) to frame your day with short
with Prayer (using morning, afternoon, and evening or bedtime prayers. This provides a structure for
a prayer book) turning to God at regular intervals, which can help increase your overall awareness
of his presence during the day. The fact that the prayers are pre-written makes
praying more accessible, and it can help expand your prayer vocabulary. Plus, the
content of the prayer book will get you praying about some things you might not
otherwise pray about. If you can, try praying the written prayers aloud (or silently
mouth them) as a way of helping you focus. Request a free copy of the Cornerstone
Prayer book by emailing Pastor Steve at steve@cornerstonechurch.ca.

Recommended  Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now (by Gregory A. Boyd)
Reading on  Letters by a Modern Mystic (by Frank C. Laubach)
Practicing the  The Practice of the Presence of God (by Brother Lawrence)
Presence

If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult,

would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said
to you was, “Wash and be clean.”
-2 Kings 5:13