Chapter XII. In what Way a Man may gain the Habit of keeping in the Presence of God whenever he will

THAT you may acquire the habit of keeping yourself, whenever you will, in the Presence of God, strive to grasp the thought that God is secretly ever before you, that He is beholding you, and considering all your thoughts and actions.

Or again, regard all the creatures as so many windows through which the hidden God watches you, and says to you at times: "Ask, and ye shall receive. For whoso asketh receiveth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened."

You can also realise the Presence of God by meditating on the creatures; passing through the corporeal, raise your mind to God, Who gives them their existence, movement, and power to act.

Whenever you seek help from God by prayer, in any struggle or action, place yourself in the Presence of God in one of the ways above mentioned, and then pray and beseech Him to grant you aid and succour.

And know this, O devout soul, that if you will become familiar with the Presence of God, you will gain victories and treasures without number. Amongst other things, you will learn to guard your movements, thoughts, words and actions, so that they may befit the Presence of God and the Life of His Son. And the Presence itself of God will impart to you strength to abide in His Presence.

For if from the presence of and nearness to natural agents, whose virtue is limited and finite, we bear away something of their qualities and virtues, what shall be said of the Presence of God, Whose virtue is infinite, and power of shedding it abroad unspeakable?

Besides the way of praying spoken of above—"O God, make speed to save: O Lord, make haste to help me,"—which is suitable for every need, you may also pray in another way by making some particular request. Thus, if you desire to know and do the Will of God, your prayer might take the following form: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord; O teach me Thy statutes. Lead me, O Lord, in the path of Thy commandments. O that my ways were made so direct that I might keep Thy statutes!"

And to ask of God all that you can ask, and what He wills we should ask of Him, use the Lord's Prayer, which should be said with the whole affection of the heart, and with all attention.