Soon after I became a Christian I came across the book _Practicing the Presence of God_ by Brother Lawrence. It had a great effect upon both Bob and I. We, too, began to practice the presence of God. We did this because the Bible assures us that the Lord is ever with us, ever cares for us, and is sovereign. Therefore we knew that He had a will for every moment of our lives. We desired to discover and know that will by being constantly led by the Spirit which is how we understood to live as true sons of God. We began to ask the Lord everything--the smallest detail: What clothes to wear, what stores to shop in, what to fix/eat for a meal, everything. We chose unimportant things because they were unimportant. We thought we should learn to hear his voice on nonessentials so that when it was a matter of life and death and we would recognize His voice. If we did not receive direction in answer to our question we took our best shot and went on. But we constantly desired to choose the higher way.

We believed by doing this seeking of the Lord's will we were also attempting to fulfill the directive to pray unceasingly if that kind of prayer can be defined as constantly maintaining an awareness of God. So, while we maintained our horizontal relationships in the world, we strove to keep a vertical channel open to God as much of the time as we could. Naturally, this was difficult to do and what we did accomplish was, of course, by the grace of God.

God is described in the Bible as communicating with His people in many different ways from a donkey, to dreams, storms, angels, visions and signs. Peter tells us (through Luke) of his vision of the great sheet let down but not how he knew where to go or how to do on a given day or time. Paul tells of great wonders, dreams and visions, but not the more mundane kinds of guidance he received. When I talk of being led by the Lord or hearing from Him, I don't mean to imply I am hearing voices. ) For me it is a kind of shorthand. I most often receive an impression or a sense of God's direction--or just a kind of knowing.

Long ago I learned that big things need big guidance. When the issues are major, I find God gives that kind of guidance. I have had confirmations from my brothers and sisters and the Bible on numerous occasions. I have received signs from the Lord when that was required.

I think another point in hearing is to, as much as is possible, have no will in the matter. Sometimes that means I have to spend time laying my will down before the Lord, confessing it and letting it die. Sometimes that takes a long time. Sometimes I never get free from my own desires in a matter, but I can pray that the Lord disregard them and accomplish His will and not mine.

The bottom line for me is that I have faith that as my heart desires to participate in the Lord's will for my life and the lives of people around me and as I pray that He will accomplish His will against all odds, He does so.

We have seen good fruit in our lives from these choices. Once Bob had to evaluate a man and report to the court whether the man was competent to stand trial. As Bob prayed that morning about what to wear he had a strong sense that he was to wear a particular blue shirt. He interviewed the prisoner and although the man had a history of violence and was dangerous he cooperated with Bob. At the end of the interview the man told Bob that he believed that only the people wearing the color of blue Bob had worn that day were "safe" and he did not have to hurt them. Interesting isn't it?

As ever (and ever, and ever...)

Gee Denton