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There are different things that can, and do, take us and make us feel away from God. In those situations, prayer feels like a routine and time dedicated to God starts to lessen. Causes are numerous and they vary. These include trials that are taking us away from God, guilt or habits we know do not align with what God wants but that we are not able to free ourselves from, a lifestyle we have adopted that’s taking time we normally dedicate to prayer, a combination of the above or even seeming as if there’s no particular reason. (The devil might just be working really hard to take you away). Our moral compass that is normally governed by God and by His Word is also affected. When we are in God’s presence and in His Holy Spirit’s presence, we are enabled to do things that are in line with that presence. For example, we are enabled to manage our anger issues better, we have more spiritual strength and less doubt, but when that presence is lost and time in His presence reduces what was considered wrong and undoable, starts looking less wrong and doable. Sin seems easier and less scary, and as expected the more our time and actions stop aligning with God, the more we are prone to going even further from His presence. I believe the first positive step in this situation is to allow the Holy Spirit in us to make us see and acknowledge the gap and emptiness that comes with being away from God’s presence and to let The Spirit strengthen our prayers and direct us to scripture that we need in that time. It is important to also first remember that God, our father, wants to have fellowship with us. He wants His children to remain in His presence and know that we are welcome back when we have gone away as seen in the parable of the prodigal son who was welcomed back home warmly by his father (Luke 15:11-32).
"I believe the first positive step in this situation is to allow the Holy Spirit in us to make us see and acknowledge the gap and emptiness that comes with being away from God’s presence and to let The Spirit strengthen our prayers and direct us to scripture that we need in that time."
God wants us close to Him but, He still leaves us with the choice. He doesn’t force that on us. Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” He wants us to choose Him even in that state of pain, guilt, doubt and every other time we might not be feeling His presence. Of course, that is easier said than done but that is okay because it’s never our own strength that carries us, it’s always God’s grace. We just have to surrender to that grace in all circumstances. In Mathew 24:45-51, Jesus warns us of what to do when we are not feeling God’s presence. Throughout the chapter, Jesus is warning His disciples about the end of times and advising them to keep watch and to stay alert because they do not know when the end and His return is happening (verse 42). From verse 45 to the end of the chapter, Jesus tells His disciples of the parable of the faithful and wicked servant. Both were servants of the master, but their attitudes differed when their master went away. The faithful servant on one hand, despite his master’s absence kept on doing what would please his master. But the wicked servant did the opposite and betrayed his master’s trust. In times where we feel like God is absent, Jesus is telling us that we ought to be even more alert and remain faithful. We should pray even more, dive into The Word more and approach the throne of grace for strength in those times of need. So, to all of those going through a situation that makes them feel like God is not with them, God’s love for you is unchanged because as it says in Romans 8:38-39 “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He still wants that fellowship with you, and He is present even if it feels like He is not. I pray that we all remain faithful and wise servants who keep on doing what pleases our Master even in His absence (when He feels absent).
"it’s never our own strength that carries us, it’s always God’s grace."
