The presence of God

[ripleylynn]

I have been directed, by my sponsor, to go further into the 11th Step. She feels I need to strengthen my relationship with God which will help me continue to get better. I have been in a very miserable place for some time now, (I have almost 2 yrs sober) and am at the point of being willing to try anything. However, this is a huge task, as I know it is for many.
I picked up a small book by Brother Lawrence, titled, "the practice of the presence of God". It is quite good. My sponsor gave me "Sermon on the Mount" when I was newly sober, which I love. However, I've read of many people how do everything, "in the praise and glory of God" and even how people can prepare food or cultivate their garden in God's name. I'm not sure if I know what that means. I mean, I went for a bike ride, yesterday, and can be awed by the beauty around me and feel grateful that God gave me a body that works well enough to bike and the senses to appreciate the smells and feelings that come with that activity. And I say a prayer of thanks to Him. But is that doing something in His name? I'm not sure if I understand what this means. Can anyone help? Thanks.

[Phinneas]

Hi, ripleylynn. I heard somewhere once that the absolute most powerful prayer to god is gratitude! Yes, that goes directly to god. Yes, that is praying. Yes, that is cultivating your spiritual connection.

Your relationship with god is a personal thing. For me, I emphasize the word "relationship." I talk to god all of the time and you know what? God talks to me, too.

Prayer, meditation, mindfulness, kindness, love, joy and gratitude are all conscious contact. Put the focus on these things and you will feel more connected. It works for me!

[VioletAntigone]

Hi there;
After reading your thread, I was reminded of some times in my childhood when I would climb up into the forest by my house and do something like pick up a pinecone, take it home and paint it, and "give it" to God;

I think it's similar to the love, care and individuality that we put into doing something special for someone we care about very deeply; whether it's our sponsor/sponsee, a very close friend, significant other, or child, we usually feel a very deep sense of love when we give something special to that person.

An appreciation for the beauty of nature (and our Higher Power who created it) is an excellent way to feel the flow of love between us and our Higher Power...Keep riding!

[best]

There is a story that may help...

A painter was taking so much care in painting the back of a statue and a man passing by asked why he was taking so much time doing the back when no one would see it? His answer...You may not see it but God will.

In all you do, do it as though you are doing it for God.

Yes enjoying your bike ride to the fullest and giving Him thanks is doing for God.
He wants us to enjoy his blessings to the fullest and he wants that we follow his ways. Not that he wants us doing this and that but that he knows when we do things as he tells us is the better way..."WE" benifit and add blessings to our life. He gets the glory in our thanks, we get the blessings in our life.

[Ann]

What a beautiful thread this is. I like what Phinny said about "gratitude" being the greatest prayer.

I feel the presence of God in my life, in all things I do, because I have opened my heart to Him. I'm not a walking talking Bible, I'm just a very spiritual person who senses God's presence in nature, in people, in art, and in all things beautiful. The closer I keep to God, the closer He keeps to me.

Hugs,

[jimhere]

That is why the Presence of God is a present-a gift. Can't be manufactured or brought about by self-will and the right technique.

[Ann]

It is a gift Jim. I think God's presence is always there, it's our own awareness that lets our spirit connect with it.

[ripleylynn]

I wanted to thank all those who replied. I have been working on Knowing the presence of God in my life, more so in the past 2 weeks than ever before in my sobriety. And it has been, for the most part, wonderful. I say for the most part, because I still find myself in that downward spiral. However, now I can recognize it quicker and know that God can help me find my way out. And I can feel myself, "step away" from Him during those times. And during those times I know I have to work harder to find my way back. But I find that saying thank you for the little things, like being able to bike and run and even breathe fresh air are little gifts from God. It's taking, at times, alot of work to maintain that presence but it is so worth it. And I thank God that my sponsor, who prayed for a way to help me, allowed God to work through her. And thank God for all those on this board who have been so supportive to me over the past year. Thank you so much.

[Rusty Zipper]

god mor'n riplylynn, nice ta meet you... i feel the same as phinn'y... as i was too haveing a problem with this.... it was suggested to pray in the morning with gratitude... and i might add, i do it on my knees... you might ask why?... riplyL, for me, it reminds me why i'm down there in the first place... i'm a freak'n alky/adict thats why... i CANT ever, ever forget that........... pray'n on Gratitude is the way i start..... to all things rightly, and positive for my day.... i pray that i handle all of life for the day with some Grace.... not tommorow, not yesterday, but today.... riplyL, shurly, a bike ride is god given... a bike ride to the getto to buy crack aint, get my point?... i think you might, lol.... the downword spiral, the get'n nerved up, doesnt come from God for me, it comes from me... my making, my doing, my thinking... it comes from self, and many years of it... my lifetime until i got clean and sober......step 11 has greatly changed my self in the most positive way.... the prayer part is a tremendous benefit, its the listening part i get the most out of.... if you have a chance riplyL, please read it... its under grief and loss, its called "I Listened"... its there riplyL for a persional reason... ... reaching out as you have done is a God given... there are an infinite number of God givens... for me, staying out of the negative forces keep my Band of Gypsy's away.... ohoh, one more thing as i go about my day being as gratefull as i can be, and there are some way bumpy day's and roads... at the end of my day... yep, back on the old knees... this time haveing Gratitude, Gratitude that i made it one more sober day, and if i mess'd up with my reaction to life or me, i have step 10 for that... thanks again phinny, and also Vi, best, jim, and my sweet ann.... all good wishes and if ya can, give a little love......... pattee

[indigo]

How could I possibly disagree with the above......thank you.
indigo