As believers, we long to see God’s presence alive and powerful in our churches, transforming lives and drawing hearts closer to Him. God desires to dwell with His people, to meet us in deeply felt and transformative ways. By embracing these seven scriptural practices, we can invite God’s manifest presence to fill our worship and gatherings.
Let us seek Him with all our hearts, pressing in and surrendering fully to His will. Here are seven ways to cultivate an atmosphere where God’s presence can freely dwell.
1. Commit to Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting are foundational practices in seeking God. Regular, fervent prayer keeps our hearts aligned with His will and opens us to His presence. Fasting humbles us, reminding us of our need for Him alone.
“They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (Acts 1:14, AMP).
To invite God’s presence, let your church come together in prayer, fasting as the Spirit leads. Press in for a deeper relationship with Him and watch how He responds.
2. Cultivate a Hunger and Thirst for God
True revival begins when believers have an insatiable hunger for God. Do you yearn for His presence as the deer pants for water? This desperation, this longing, opens doors for God’s Spirit to move mightily among us.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, AMP).
Encourage your church to pursue God wholeheartedly, with a longing for His presence. When we hunger for Him, He fills us.
3. Walk in Holiness and Repentance
A pure heart invites God’s presence. Living in holiness and repentance keeps our hearts clean and open to His Spirit. In Scripture, we see that God draws near to those who seek righteousness.
“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? … He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4, AMP).
Challenge your congregation to examine their hearts daily, repenting and striving to walk in holiness. God blesses a church that honors Him through righteousness.
4. Seek Unity and Love Among Believers
Unity is a powerful attractor of God’s presence. When believers live in harmony, seeking to love and support one another, God commands a blessing over them. Jesus Himself prayed that we would be one, as He and the Father are one.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1, AMP).
Encourage your church to walk in love and forgiveness, striving for unity in all things. God moves in a place where His people are united in purpose and love.
5. Embrace Spirit-Led Worship
Worship that is truly Spirit-led allows God to move as He desires. When we lay down agendas and invite the Holy Spirit to lead, our worship becomes a sanctuary for His presence.
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24, AMP).
Allow worship to flow as the Spirit leads, creating space for God’s tangible presence. God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3), so let worship be authentic and surrendered to Him.
6. Honor Anointed Leadership and Teaching
Anointed leadership sets a standard for the church, and God’s presence rests upon leaders who walk humbly and with integrity. Leaders must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide the church in alignment with God’s Word.
“Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16, AMP).
Pray for and support your church leaders, encouraging them to live lives of humility and obedience. God blesses churches where leaders model devotion and surrender to Him.
7. Commit to the Great Commission
God has called us to reach the lost and make disciples, promising His presence as we go. Churches that embrace this mission reach outward, sharing the Gospel, and find God’s power flowing through them.
“Go therefore and make disciples… And surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:19-20, AMP).
Encourage your church to actively engage in spreading the Gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission. God’s presence goes with us when we reach out in obedience, blessing and empowering our efforts.
These seven practices are not merely habits but a heartfelt pursuit of God. When your church embraces prayer, fasting, holiness, unity, Spirit-led worship, anointed leadership, and the Great Commission, you create a place where God’s presence dwells mightily.
Beloved, let us press in with a yearning and a hunger for the Lord that nothing can satisfy but Him. May our churches be places where His glory is revealed, where lives are transformed, and where God’s love flows like a mighty river.
Call to Action:
Are you ready to experience God’s presence in your church? Share these principles with your congregation, and let’s press in together. Let’s invite God’s Spirit to move powerfully, bringing revival and transformation.