Experiencing God's Presence in Worship and Prayer
Prayer is defined as "converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him" [1]. Scripture describes this encounter through vivid physical and emotional language: "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15), "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28), and "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14) [1]. The psalmist captures the longing that animates such prayer: "My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God's presence?" [2]. This thirst is not merely intellectual curiosity but a relational hunger for encounter.
Access Through Christ
Christian teaching locates the possibility of experiencing God's presence in the mediating work of Christ. Access to God "is by Christ" and "by the Holy Spirit," obtained through faith [8]. The New Testament presents Christ as the one through whom believers approach the Father (Eph. 2:18; Heb. 10:19) [8], and his ongoing intercession in heaven—where "he appears in the presence of God for us" (Heb. 9:24)—grounds the believer's confidence [5]. Prayer is thus directed "through Christ" [6], with the assurance that "God hears" and "God answers" [6].
The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught as "a model of simplicity," demonstrates how "an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions" [7, 9]. Its opening address—"Our Father"—reflects Jesus' own practice of addressing God as Father in nearly every prayer, a usage that was rare in Jewish practice [9]. This intimacy of address signals the relational nature of prayer, not merely as petition but as communion.
Postures and Practices
Scripture records prayer as both "oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal" [1]. Paul's exhortation to pray "night and day" [3, 4] suggests a rhythm of persistent seeking rather than isolated episodes. The physical postures mentioned—lifting up the soul, lifting up the heart, looking up [6]—indicate that prayer engages the whole person, not merely the intellect. One commentator notes that meditation on Christ's person, offices, and works "is very sweet, delightful, and comfortable" when "grace is in exercise" [12], suggesting that the experience of God's presence in prayer depends on the Spirit's activity in the believer.
The promise of Christ's presence—"The Lord of peace... give you the peace... always... by all means" [11]—anchors Christian worship and prayer in the conviction that encounter with God is not sporadic but sustained by Christ's abiding presence with his people [10].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Psalms “Psalms 42:2 (BSB) — My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 3:10 (BBE) — Night and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.”
- 1 Thessalonians “night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith? -- 1 Thessalonians 3:10”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 104:34: My meditation of him shall be sweet,.... Of the glories, excellencies, and perfections of his person; of his offices, as Mediator, King, Priest, and Prophet, the Saviour and Redeemer; of his works of creation, providence, and redemption; of his word, the blessed truths and comfortable doctrines of it; of his providential dispensations, and gracious dealings with his people in the present state; which to meditate upon, when grace is in exercise, is very sweet, delightful, and comfortable. The Targum renders it as a petition, "let my meditation be sweet before him;'”