OVERVIEW

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 The Indwelling Presence of God is acknowledging the reality that God already dwells within us. We are not God, but He imparted into our Souls at our conception, His "Presence" which instills in us a longing for God, that drive for something beyond ourselves. To become that indwelling presence we must enter into a state of ever deepening consent and surrender. ​​

 

A GUIDED PRAYER

Depending on our stage of spiritual maturity on any given day, we may use the following, whether all or in part, to prepare us to receive His love. The following may be done individually but doing it while sitting with a group of people magnifies and deepens the experience.

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Resting in the Indwelling Presence of God

1. Take a moment now to settle into stillness.

2. Sit comfortably.
   Let your body be at ease.
   There is nothing you need to accomplish here.

3. Allow your breathing to become natural.
   No control.
   No technique.
   Just receiving each breath as a gift.

(pause)

 

Turning Inward

1. As you have learned to do, gently turn inward.
   Not to observe yourself.
   Not to empty yourself.
   But to be present.

2. You may notice quiet.
   You may notice movement.
   Whatever is here is welcome.

(pause)

 

A Shift of the Heart

1. Now, make one small interior movement.
   From awareness…to relationship.

2. Silently, simply acknowledge: 

“God, You are here.”

You do not need to imagine God.

You do not need to create His presence

He is already present—

dwelling within you by grace.

(pause)

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Being Received

1. Let go of effort.
   Let go of watching.
   Let go of trying to reach anything.

2. Instead, allow yourself to be received.

3. You are not entering silence alone.
   You are entering silence with God.

4. Christ lives in you.
   The Holy Spirit prays in you.
   The Father holds you in love.

5. Rest in that truth.

(long pause)

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If thoughts arise

1. If thoughts come, do not resist them.
   If sensations come, do not follow them.

2. Gently return—not to the breath,
   but to a simple awareness of Presence.

3. You might rest in a word such as:

• Jesus

• Abba

• Here I am

Not as repetition.
Only as a soft turning of the heart.

(pause)

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From awareness to communion

1. Notice the difference now.

2. You are not observing consciousness.
   You are being known.

3. You are not dissolving.
   You are being loved.

4. Let yourself abide there.

(long pause)

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Surrender

1. If you feel drawn, you may offer a quiet consent:

2. “I receive Your life within me.”
   “I surrender to Your Presence.”
   “Let Your love live through me.”

3. Say nothing more unless you are moved.

4. Silence is enough.

(long pause)

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Closing

1. As this time of prayer gently comes to a close,
   do not rush away.

2. Carry this awareness with you—
   into your body,
   into your relationships,
   into the ordinary moments of your life.

3. This Presence does not end when prayer ends.

4. “Remain in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4)

5. Rest a moment longer…
   then, when you are ready, slowly return.

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WHEN

It is recommended to do this once a day either early morning, noon, or late afternoon. Night is OK but you may be more likely to fall asleep vs. sharpening your awareness.

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WHERE

Select a place where you will not be interrupted. An ideal environment is in an empty Catholic Church where the Living Presence that lingers there from celebrating the Eucharist may awaken your awareness of the Indwelling presence. It can be very beneficial to pray in this way with a group of people dedicated to doing the practice.

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