“That does sound wonderful,” a young mother says, “but Brother Lawrence was a monk, working in the garden or kitchen all day. He could pray as he went about his chores. I work in a noisy office and then deal with three noisy kids when I get home. How can I experience continuous communion with God?”
Her dilemma is all too familiar, even for someone like me who’s retired!
So I began a list of possibilities to help me live in more continuous communion with God. Perhaps an idea or two will appeal to you.
- Begin the day with God–even as I get out of bed. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” the psalmist urged (118:24). OK, what can I rejoice in and be grateful to God for, as I anticipate the day?
- Wear a reminder-bracelet—even a paper one! Write a scripture on it (such as Isaiah 26:3), or an encouraging statement, such as: “He is beneath me as my foundation, He is beside me as my friend, He is within me as my life” (Barbara Johnson, Women of Faith speaker).
- Copy a meaningful scripture on a 3 x 5 card. Post it on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door, the visor of the car, or the inside of a closet. Move it around every few days so the element of surprise serves to grab my attention.
- Sing to God (while driving quiet streets or doing noisy chores!)
- Keep my blessings journal more faithfully. (Even though I established the habit years ago, I still allow some precious gifts to go unrecorded. More attentiveness will add more joy to my days.)
- Get outside. Find at least one marvelous gift in creation, and praise God for his genius.
- Follow this advice from Barbara Johnson (mentioned above): While using a household product, see if the name or its attributes remind me of God and my relationship with him. One example: Fresh Start laundry detergent. While loading the washer I can pray, “Thank you, Father, that every day is a fresh start with you. Your mercies are new every morning.” (Interested in more products and their implications? Click on “A.M. Attitude Adjustment.”)
- Post a verse on the bathroom mirror. Work at memorizing it.
- Each time I sip my coffee or tea, I can also “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8) by savoring the blessings of the moment. Thankfulness opens my heart to his presence and my mind to his thoughts.**
- End the day with God, recalling his blessings or reciting his scripture.
Now if you’re like me, a bracelet on the wrist or a 3 x 5 on a cabinet door soon become such common sights, I barely notice them anymore. Perhaps if I rotate through some of the suggestions, they’ll retain their impact.
Sunday might be the day for an outdoor respite. Monday might be Bracelet Day; Tuesday could be Taste-and-See Day.
You get the idea.
Bottom line: I want my mouth filled with God’s praise; I want to declare his splendor all day long, simply because he is worthy of praise (Psalm 71:8; 1 Chronicles 16:24-25).
But how glorious is this: our all-gracious God chooses to bless us when we seek to bless him—blessings such as:
- Peace (Isaiah 26:3)
- Encouragement (Psalm 19:7)
- Joy (Psalm 16:11)
- Rest and refuge–from the onslaught of unsettling thoughts (Psalm 91:1-2)
- Strength (Psalm 138:1-3)
So…
“…For a short time, fly from your business;
hide yourself for a moment from your turbulent thoughts.
Break off now your troublesome cares,
and think less of your laborious occupations.
Make a little time for God, and rest for a while in Him.
Enter into the chamber of your mind,
shut out everything but God
and whatever helps you to seek Him, and,
when you have shut the door, seek Him.
Speak now, O my whole heart, speak now to God:
‘I seek Thy face; Thy face, Lord, do I desire.'”
— Anselm
(1033-1109, Archbishop of Canterbury, caring pastor, author)
* * * * * * * * * *
What strategies help you to enjoy continuous communion with God? Please share in the Comments section below!
**based on a statement by Sarah Young, Jesus Calling,p. 343
(Art & photo credits: www.azquotes.com; http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.guilford.ces.ncsu.edu; http://www.zazzle.co.uk; http://www.ourdailyblossom.com.)
From the Inside Out 
As a mom of six, I experience the challenge of keeping God in the forefront of my mind and remembering that recognizing His presence is my greatest delight. I have started to memorize Scriptures one verse a day. (almost done with James chapter one 🙂 ) I am so amazed how much time we DO have and how much time God makes for us to put His Word into our hearts. You see, when our hearts have tasted His closeness, especially through His Word, our minds get hungry for Him and grave this sweet fellowship.
“Lord, teach us know your presence, practice it, and long for it. Help us to taste and see how good You are, and in that make us hungrier each day for knowing You.”
THANK YOU, sweet Nancy, for your every-so-practical advice!
Congratulations for nearing the completion of memorizing James 1! That’s quite an accomplishment, considering your extra-busy life. And you are so right: the more we practice his presence, the more we WANT to practice his presence! ‘Love your prayer, Heidi–a prayer he will take great delight in answering affirmatively!
I sitll like Brother Lawrence but love your list!! tweeted it too.
Thank you, Jean!
Good tips, Nancy! Verse memorization has been a quiet revolution for me in the last two years or so, prompting further dialogue with God on what matters most to Him. And, yes, nature is full of His presence. Dallas Willard likens seeing God in nature to seeing a friend’s personality in how the decorate their home.
You are so right, Mitch: memorizing scripture is a valuable exercise for a number of reasons. A couple of years ago I tackled Romans 8, and finally absorbed it all twelve months later. ‘Have to keep reviewing in order to retain it! But I find that certain verses will come to mind depending on my circumstances. The chapter is incredibly rich with encouragement! Right now I’m working on Psalm 103–another uplifting passage. P.S. ‘Love that insight from Dallas Willard. So true!
Wonderful tips. “It’s hard to stay mad/tense when you’re thankful,” I heard today. There’s something spiritual about a pot of tea, too. 🙂
I had not heard that gratitude can lower anger levels. Interesting! As for the pot of tea, I can see you and Jesus celebrating a tea party together! Very spiritual indeed.
Nancy, thank you this is a wonderful message.
Hi, Laura! Praise God that this post was meaningful to you. And thank YOU for continuing to visit here. Just seeing your name makes me smile, remembering the times you helped me prepare for the Bible study, your kind and loving ways, and the “famous” shoulder bump that one Sunday! 🙂
Nancy, I found this to be inspiring, refreshing and delightful. Thank you.
Praise God for his inspiration, Ruth. I’m so grateful you found the post meaningful!
These are WONDERFUL suggestions! I began walking outside yesterday and I will commune with Him while doing that. Listening to Christian music is also something that really enables my communion with the Lord.
Oh, yes! You are so right, Cheri. Time and again God has used music to minister encouragement, inspiration and direction to my spirit. In response my heart fills with gratitude, and often my eyes fill with tears that he would touch my heart so specifically to address a current need. Thank you for adding this suggestion to the list!
Love, love, love these ideas, Nancy! I recently began doing #1, just taking a moment to praise Him before getting out of bed. It’s amazing how that one little thing gets my day started in a whole new way. I also like your suggestion to shake things up. I too easily stop seeing my reminders. I laughed to see #7…I recall reading about that in one of her books years ago. I had forgotten that, but I love it! Wonderful list–thank you!
I’m so glad you found the ideas to your liking, Rebeca. Now, as I start my day with gratitude, I’ll think of you (with gratitude!) doing the same thing! 🙂
[…] FAITH: I appreciated this article of strategies to help enjoy continuous communion with God. Nancy gives 10 very practical aids to help set our minds on God. I particularly liked her reminder, “our all-gracious God chooses to bless us when we seek to bless him.” Ten Ways to Keep Mindful of God […]