The next time you pray, sit in silent contemplation for a while, remembering that the Holy Spirit lives and breathes within you. In this quiet act of faith you will be able to sense the presence of God. Don’t allow your thoughts to distract you, but rather think about all of the blessings you have been given in your life.
Just as a fire needs careful attention when it is first lit, so too does practising the presence of God require patience and commitment. It is also necessary to approach God for who He is and not with a list of requests that you would like Him to grant. Therefore use your times of prayer not just to experience God, but to allow Him to change you to be more like Jesus. – adapted from Madame Jeanne Guyon’s writings from the 17th Century.