Imagine going to the service desk of a store to pick up a long-anticipated order, and then not waiting around to receive it. Could anything be more ludicrous? And yet we may do this very thing more often than we realize.

"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch." (Psalm 5:3)

It's commendable to form the habit of morning prayer time, but it's less effective if we don't - as someone has called it - "practice the presence of the LORD". The ideal, as the Psalmist says, is "I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch." A morning prayer watch is not an end in itself, but rather something that sets to the tone for our day. It helps heighten our awareness of our Father, and prepares us to be attuned to His presence and activity throughout our day.

Few things are more challenging. Who doesn't live their life at a frenetic pace, pulled in a multitude of directions? Urgent tasks scream like sirens, while God's still small voice is all but silenced. How is it even remotely possible to "eagerly watch" for God in our lives amidst such a backdrop?

The solution may well seem evasive, but the priority is not. Unless we find ways to "practice the presence of the LORD", our activities and lifestyle are destined to digress into meaninglessness. His presence alone infuses life with purpose and fulfillment.

A vital step in cultivating God's presence in the everyday is a committed lifestyle. He draws near to those who cultivate His godly character, and repels those who do evil. "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You" (Psalm 5:4-7).

May we "eagerly watch" and find our Father's presence as we live and serve today.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2012