Have you ever felt like your prayers barely make it past the ceiling, as if God was distant? So often, we recite our petitions, hum along to a worship playlist, and skim a few Bible verses – hoping we’ll be heard. Yet deep down, we wonder: Is He listening? Then, just as quickly, we move on, never pausing long enough for God to reach into the depth of our heart the way He desires. In our hurried routines, prayer can become just another task – a fleeting obligation rather than a sacred conversation. And without realizing it, we end up speaking into the void, hearing only our own words instead of His voice.

Every time we turn to God – whether to ask, to question, or even to lament – we are praying, and He is listening. Prayer is simply a conversation with God, free from rigid rules or formulas. Yet, there comes a moment when our pursuit of Him must shift – not merely to receive, but to enjoy His presence. This reminds me of when I was a little girl. My father would place a coin in his palm and close his fingers around it. My sister and I would eagerly pry open each one – determined to claim the coin – and as soon as it was ours, we would rush off to the store. He was a loving father and generous provider, always ensuring we had what we needed. But as I grew older and moved away, my visits became less about what he could give me and more about simply being with him – sharing stories, laughing and cherishing our time together. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is no different. He longs for us to seek Him – not just for what rests in His hand, but for the beauty of being near Him. 

The problem is that we are so consumed by our own thoughts, desires, and anxieties that it becomes difficult to look beyond ourselves. In a world driven by instant gratification, we sometimes approach God with the same expectation, as though He should appear swiftly. Too often, we come to Him with a list of worries and wants, forgetting that prayer is not a monologue but a conversation. Yes, He tells us, “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:7), but prayer cannot be reduced to mere requests. Psalms 46:10 reminds us: “Be still, and know that I am God”, for true fulfillment doesn’t come from centering our lives around ourselves but from seeking and knowing the heart of God.

Experiencing the presence of God is not a mystery to be solved or an achievement to be earned – it is a gift, freely given, when we surrender and make space for Him. It is not through effort, but by making ourselves available – willing to wait as we praise, worship and express our gratitude to Him. On the night of His greatest trial in Gethsemane, Jesus asked His disciples to pray as He withdraw to seek the Father. Yet, when He returned, He found them asleep and said, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:36-40) – as if one hour is the minimum time we should set apart for prayer. As we lay down the trivial thoughts that pull us away from prayer, as we confess our shortcomings, give thanks for His faithfulness, worship and meditate on His Word – time ceases to be a burden. But if we find ourselves saying we have no time, then we may need to reconsider our priorities.

Moreover, praise and worship are essential in experiencing the sweet presence of the Lord. God does not need our worship – yet He invites us to it because it transforms us. When we worship, our gaze shifts from ourselves to Him, realigning our hearts with His. Worship is where burdens lift, where depression, anguish, and resentment have no choice but to flee – for where God is glorified, the enemy cannot remain. Psalm 47:7 reminds us to sing with understanding; choosing songs that minister to our heart and draw us closer to God. Song of Songs 2:14 says, “Let me hear your voice”, this means He longs to hear you – not just a playlist set to worship mode. So, open your mouth in praise – even if you’ve never done it before, it’s never too late to begin.

Gratitude also opens the door to God’s presence. A grateful heart receives far more than one that takes blessings for granted. When we remember where He has rescued us from – the darkness we once walked in – we can’t help but recognize that His mercy far exceeds what we deserve. And that moves the heart of God. 

Bless the Lord for all His benefits, and His presence will meet you where you are. Our souls are restless, prone to wandering, easily swayed by distraction. But when we come before God, we must bring them into submission – aligning them with the truth. King David knew this well. He commanded his own soul, “Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy” (Psalm 103:1-4). We, too, must speak to our souls, declaring, “I have set this time apart for my Lord, not to dwell on anxious thoughts or fleeting troubles. I will remain in His presence until my soul is satisfied.” Being still before God isn’t always easy, but it’s possible. Cry out to Him, reveal your longing – and you will encounter the touch of God.

We should also seek a private space where we can lay our hearts bare, where we can be fully ourselves – where we can weep if we must, like a child in the arms of a loving Father. Your bedroom, your vehicle, the quiet corner where you find rest – any of these can become a sanctuary, a sacred meeting place, if you allow them to. When God revealed Himself to Moses on Mount Sinai through the burning bush, He said, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). It was not the fire, nor the mountain itself, that made that ground holy – it was the presence of the living God dwelling there. 

And lastly, we must remain steadfast in our pursuit of God. Seeking Him cannot be something we do one day and neglect for weeks. Do not settle for a spiritual high that fades after an event, nor wait for the next worship concert to feel His presence. Do not rely on intermediaries – seek Him for yourself, daily, in the secret place. Show Him that you are serious about this pursuit. Seek Him in joy and in sorrow, in moments of celebration and in seasons of struggle – until being with Him becomes not just a desire, but a necessity. And when that happens, your circumstances will no longer control you. You will begin to see loneliness, melancholy, and affliction, as invitations into His presence. If you respond, you will realize they hold the most sacred moments of your life – for nothing moves the heart of God more than a broken and contrite spirit.

Each time we experience the presence of God, prayer ceases to be mere routine. His peace floods our hearts, shifting our desires until they align with His will. Love and compassion begin to take root within us, and our prayers no longer revolve around personal desires. Instead, we become attuned to the suffering of others, seeing those who have wounded us with mercy rather than bitterness. Where His presence dwells, the enemy’s voice is silenced, bondage weakens, wounds mend, and our spirit is renewed. In His presence we receive purpose, direction, vision, and hope for the future. But we must seek Him – we must cherish His presence as the greatest gift ever receive.

Timothy Keller, one of my favorite authors, once said that when we reach the end of our days and stand in the presence of God, we will be so whole and satisfied that we’ll realize He was all we ever needed. Everything we once chased – validation, prestige, success, money, even the embrace of another – was a longing for Him all along.

To encounter the Creator of the universe is a privilege beyond measure. Yes, there are times when we come before Him seeking healing, provision, or guidance. But there must also be moments when we seek Him – not for what He holds in His hand, but simply for who He is. And it all begins with desire – the willingness to surrender and to be still, however long as it takes. We do not need intellect, eloquence, or perfect words – we simply need an open heart, ready to abide. The good news is that if we seek Him, He promises to be with us. As James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” But the question remains – do we long for His presence enough to wait on Him? With all my heart, I pray the answer is a resounding yes – from this moment forward.