Delight in God’s Presence
Joey Williams, Western Europe and Eurasia mission centers president
David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. -2 Samuel 6:5
If you’re like me, you probably post on social media about things you enjoy. As I look over the past several days of my posts, here are a few moments when I delighted in God’s presence:
Wednesday-I attended a yoga class taught by a favorite youth minister of mine from my youth. I struggled to hold most poses. I stretched so far I wanted to give up. At the end of the class, however, I felt God’s presence wash over me as the teacher passed through the room, laying her hands gently on each head to offer a blessing of wholeness and peace.
Friday-I loaded my car with 300 pounds of resources that Apostle Catherine Mambwe would haul back to Africa. When I turned around, I saw she had picked up a huge block of snow to launch toward me. It was a joy to watch her playfully delight in God’s presence through snow and nature.
Saturday-Each day I take a moment to reflect on peace for a particular country by reading the Daily Prayer for Peace. The focus this day was Cameroon. I delighted as I sang “Louez le Seigneur!” (Community of Christ Sings 106) and reflected on this song and its country of origin.
Sunday-At an organ concert in the Auditorium, high and low pitches spread over the crowd through incredible vibrations and sensations, bringing great pleasure to each open and listening ear that delighted in God’s presence, transforming that huge space into an intimate holy sanctuary.
Monday-“Can you speak at my husband’s baptism…TOMORROW NIGHT?” I received this text on Monday. I was surprised at a church baptism in Independence, Missouri, when he could have had his pick of beautiful ocean spots on his native island of Tahiti. But God’s presence was calling him in this place and time. It was a delight to speak. But it was when an incredible evangelist spoke words in Tahitian for this young man’s confirmation that I truly understood it is GOD who delights when we enter into God’s presence!
Prayer Phrase
“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)
Spiritual Practice
The Prayer of the Heart
Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
