“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 15:16-18 NIV

So, how do you carry Jesus with you into every circumstance? That is a question people have been trying to wrestle with for centuries. One of my very favorite books is Practicing the Presence of God by a simply monk from the 17th century named, Brother Lawrence. He rather demystifies the concept of carrying Jesus with you everywhere. He says,

“In continuing the practice of conversing with God throughout each day, and quickly seeking His forgiveness when I fell or strayed, His presence has become as easy and natural to me now as it once was difficult to attain.”

Brother Lawrence simply practiced talking with God throughout his day no matter what he was doing. Also, the monk asks for forgiveness when his thoughts wandered and then focused back on God. He didn’t keep kicking himself when he faltered, just got “back on the horse” and got going again.

Over the past five years, I’ve really been practicing this art. Almost every day I falter somehow. But, instead of dwelling on it, I am learning to just get back up and keep going. I ask forgiveness and know it has been granted and keep striving toward the goal.

Here are a few of ways I’ve used to help me stay focused on Christ no matter what I’m doing. These are obviously from a wife and mother’s view point. Take them and mold them into your lifestyle for what works for you.

Don’t get overwhelmed at the list. I can never do all of these things at the same time. I tend to focus on 3 or 4 of them at a time. Over the course of five years, I’ve adopted more of them into my daily life, but still am not able to incorporate all of them at the same time. Take a few and use them and see what happens!

* Write down one verse (or a few verses) each week and carry it with you each day. Read it often and ask God to reveal Himself in that verse. Memorize it. At the end of the week, spend a little time with God thanking Him for His precious Word, and how He revealed Himself to you.
* Find a verse from scripture which goes along with each one of the practices listed below. Write it down and pray it whenever you can.
* Pray for the people around you at the stop light. (Have your kids do it too.)
* Pray for the people in your meeting.
* Pray for you company or business on the way to work.
* Pray for your family on the way home.
* Pray for your church on the way to service.
* Thank God for your children as you pick up their toys.
* Thank God for your friends as you think about them.
* When folding laundry, pray for the person whose clothes you’re folding.
* Thank the Lord for variety at the grocery store. * Praise God for His hand of provision each time you pay a bill or receive payment.
* Pray for protection of your home as you vacuum.
* Thank God for America when you see a flag.
* Thank God for plumbing as you clean the bathroom.
* Praise God for providing His Son as the pathway to heaven when you feel overwhelmed.
* When you are sad, thank God that Jesus knows our suffering and the God knows our troubles.
* Create a strong image of peaceful serenity with Jesus and put that in your mind when you are afraid.
* When driving your kids to events, pray for their health and protection. Thank God for all the opportunities we have available to us.
* Print your favorite verses and paste them in your house; on the bathroom mirror, on the frig, or by your bed. Print verses the kids will like and put in their rooms.
* Pray over the food as you prepare dinner or lunches.
* Pray over the beds for protection and sound sleep as you make them.
* Turn off the TV and open the Bible with your husband or just sit quietly together.
* Pray as a family before you leave in the mornings.
* Pray as a couple before going to bed.
* Pray with your accountability partner before or after church.
* Thank God for the wonder and complexity of the human body when you are tempted to tear yourself apart as you stand in front of the mirror.
* Offer your body as a living sacrifice to the Lord in the shower each morning.
* When you forget, apologize to God, tell Him you missed Him, and get back on track. LET GO OF THE GUILT!
* Wake up 20 minutes earlier, before anyone else is up, and enjoy that quiet time with God. Before you go to bed each night, pray and ask God for the grace and perseverance to get up earlier.
* Set aside one Sabbath day each week for you and your family. Ask your husband to lead it. Turn off the TV, videos, computer games, etc. Spend one quiet day together, thanking the Lord for all He is and all He has done. It doesn’t have to be Sunday. Take a rest day even if your family will not.
* Pray for your small group and their families as you prepare for the week.
* Have sections in your journal for prayer requests and for thanksgiving. Write them down when you think of them. Read your journals at least once a year to go through and see how God has responded to your thoughts, questions, concerns, prayer requests, and praise offerings. At that time, go deeply into His presence and ask Him to reveal what He wants you to focus on for the next year.
* Make your calendar part of your offering for each week. Ask God to reveal how best to balance your life. Ask Him for what to say “yes” to and what needs to be a “no”. Be willing to surrender any activity He tells you is getting in the way of your walk.
* Make your budget an offering to God. Pray together with your family for wisdom and guidance on how to manage your finances. Pray together to ask for God to provide. Ask together on how to give your lives, resources, and time away to others. Make serving and giving a family affair.
* Ask the question, “Lord, what are you doing right now” throughout your day. Ask God to reveal what He is working on and how you can be a part of it. Make sure to spend a lot of time after you ask listening. He will let you in and often ask you to participate – even if it’s just a smile at the cashier or a kind word.
* Spend 20 minutes each day reading your Bible as if God were beside you reading it with you. Imagine yourself and God having a conversation together over what you are reading.
* Spend 10 minutes each night simply being quiet and still with God; unwinding from your day, relaxing in His presence, drinking in His love like hot chocolate.