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Life in the Presence of God: Practices for Living in Light of Eternity

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God is everywhere and always with us. So why don't we experience his presence more? Life is full of distractions, and our 24/7 news cycles and social media drown out the voice of God. It's hard to discern God's presence amid the hubbub. But experiencing God is not just for the super-spiritual or ultra-mature. Every Christian can learn to cultivate a greater awareness of God in the everyday. Ken Boa offers a contemporary guide to practicing the presence of God. Using biblical foundations, living and historical examples, and evidence from neuroscience, Ken reveals how we can walk with God and abide in his presence. We need to rethink how we use our time and technology to make room for God, to train ourselves with new habits that deepen our awareness of God. This book offers not a magical technique but dozens of practical exercises and disciplines that help us draw close to God even in the midst of our cacophonous modern culture. Practicing God's presence is not just for the professionals. It's for ordinary people like us. And the more we live in God's presence, the greater our abiding peace and joy.

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2017

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183 people want to read

About the author

Kenneth D. Boa

104 books51 followers
Kenneth Boa is an author, a speaker, and the president of Reflections Ministries. He is the author of over fifty books, including Conformed to His Image, Faith Has Its Reasons, Face to Face, and Rewriting Your Broken Story. He is a contributing editor to the Open Bible, the Promise Keepers Men's Study Bible, and the Leadership Bible, and is the consulting editor of the Zondervan NASB Study Bible.

Boa earned a BS from Case Institute of Technology, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, a PhD from New York University, and a DPhil from the University of Oxford. He teaches a weekly Bible and Faith study at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resides with his wife.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Simeon.
4 reviews
January 28, 2024
Dit boek is typisch het geval van een auteur die er een kunst van maakt om in 1000 woorden te zeggen wat ook in 100 woorden gezegd kan worden. Hier en daar zegt hij wat inzichtvolle dingen, maar diepgaand is het allerminst.
Profile Image for Bob.
2,494 reviews728 followers
November 20, 2017
Summary: A contemporary discussion of the idea that a vital Christian life is one increasingly lived on a moment by moment basis in the presence of God.

So what exactly is an authentic Christian life? A set of activities or practices does not quite seem enough. Nor is adherence to a set of beliefs. Kenneth Boa, in this book, joins generations of Christians in proposing that a vital Christian life is led increasingly in the moment by moment presence of God. In his introduction, he frames it this way:

“Sure, it’s good to give the first–or the last–moments of our day to God. But what about the rest of the day? It’s so easy for our hearts and heads to end up somewhere else. Is that how God really wants us to live? Is that what he really had in mind when he said he’d give us abundant life (John 10:10)?

I’m proposing that we take our life with God–and our awareness of his presence–with us everywhere, not just into our quiet times but into our noisy times too, incorporating practices into our lives that help us keep that awareness right in front of us, throughout the day, every day.”


Boa’s book is divided into two parts. The first explores the biblical basis of this idea. This wasn’t thought up by Brother Lawrence, but rooted in the reality of what it means to be in Christ. Boa explores the biblical images, biblical exemplars culminating in Christ, and the image of “walking” with God that runs through scripture.

The second part turns to how we may learn to practice God’s presence. Here he does commend Brother Lawrence, the experiment of Frank Laubach and other practices of learning increasingly to abide moment by moment in Christ. Boa points to modern neuroscience’s understanding of the plasticity of our brains and how they may be re-wired through repeated practice. This also involves learning to re-see our world, specifically that we see that all of it matters to God and seeing it in the light of eternity. How we see our time is critical, especially in an age of busy-ness. Taking time to surrender our days to God in our waking moments, finding time to recollect ourselves through the day, and to conclude our days in thanksgiving and reflection are all important as well as establishing rhythms of work, rest, and sabbath.

Suffering and sin are also realities that intrude upon our lives. In suffering, we learn both to lament and to walk in God’s presence in the way of the cross. In sin, growth in experiencing God’s presence means learning to recognize the stages of temptation (a section that was worth the price of the book for me!) and to quickly confess and repent.

The book concludes with two chapters that focus on our visions of community and of the well-lived life. While we can have unhealthy notions of community, which Boa discusses, good communities practice encouragement that leads to growth, accountability, and living the gospel with “one another” in communities where good soul care is practiced. Finally, to live in God’s presence is to become who we were meant to be–to live into our calling–even as Strider the Ranger must become Aragorn the King in Lord of the Rings. To be in the Lord’s presence is to live with a different vision of the “good life” centered around a vision of eternity.

Each chapter concludes with practical exercises that help us hear God’s Word and to practice his presence. It is the practical element, combined with good biblical grounding and Boa’s own experience, that makes this book so helpful whether you are a recent convert or a lifelong believer. Boa focuses his attention on the everyday in our lives, which in fact make up most of life. To live in God’s presence here is to discover God’s presence in all of our lives from the seemingly mundane to the moments of crisis. And to live in God’s presence is to take creatures rooted in time, and help them live in the light of eternity. Could anything be more important?

____________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Brett Gorney.
47 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2019
To date, this is one of the best books I’ve read for practical training to experience more of God in your life every day. For me, living in the presence of God, I can go through different seasons and what that looks like and how I Experience the presence of God. So, Ken does a great job of giving the reader different ways to practice and figure out what works best for you in whatever season you are in in your life. Much like an athlete trains for their sports, we have to train our faith muscle as well. This book is a great companion guide to help you do that.
Profile Image for Drew.
80 reviews5 followers
July 26, 2019
Boa continues to write what are for me the most convicting and instructive books outside the Bible.
12 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2017
This is a Christ-centered approach to spiritual practices that I believe will be helpful to any Christian seeking to grow closer to God in everyday life. As Boa points out in the introduction, however, there is no shortcut to living a godly life. It is a lifelong journey that involves continually “practicing the presence of God” in the ordinary and the mundane.

The main emphasis of this book is that the whole life of the Christian ought to be engaged in the ongoing discipline of living in the presence of God. Drawing on the language of C.S. Lewis, Boa explains what it means to live an “amphibious life”—one that involves both the mundane acts of everyday life, and constant communion with God, with no separation between the two. “All of life is lived in the presence of God; there’s no part of it, nothing too mundane or ordinary, that isn’t permeated by him” (p. 137). Boa uses examples of the practices of saints, both ancient and modern, to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach to spiritual disciplines.

I found this book refreshing and gospel-centered. Boa emphasizes that spiritual practices are never meant to be ends in themselves, as if we were merely seeking to develop a well honed private spiritual life, but rather the means to becoming aware of and enjoying God’s presence in every situation and every moment of every day. To this end, most of the practices Boa suggests at the end of each chapter involve meditating on Scripture or contemplating God. The chapter “Rewiring Your Mind” was particularly fascinating to me, and helpful for understanding the capacity God has given us for “training in godliness” through spiritual practices.

Those who have read Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God, or James K.A. Smith’s You Are What You Love, will notice similar ideas at times in this book. If you found Brother Lawrence and Jamie Smith’s books helpful, I commend Life in the Presence of God to you as well.
1 review1 follower
November 7, 2017
Ken Boa has the ability to bring to life in simple text some of the deepest, most important teachings of Scripture. His new book is a wonderful tool for teaching how to draw closer to God and live out your life as He intended. In Ken’s words, “Imagine knowing that you’re doing exactly what you were created to do and you’re also being empowered to do it. This is exactly what Jesus wants for you.”

Whether you are young in your faith or well along your journey with Him, the principles and disciplines Dr. Boa puts forth in this wonderful book can generate astounding impact in your life and the lives of those you touch.

I am one who has been greatly impacted and will be putting “Life in the Presence of God” into the hands of as many friends and loved ones as I can.
Profile Image for Shannon Whitehead.
146 reviews41 followers
November 7, 2017
Happy release day to this fantastic and Christ-centered book. It’s a lot more comprehensive than the title might suggest, because Boa covers “being mindful of God’s presence in a distracted world” for a variety of topics including spiritual disciplines, sin, suffering, identity, and more. It’s much more than a guide to putting your phone down and getting into God’s Word, although that’s covered as well. I can’t even recommend it for a particular kind of Christian in a particular stage of life—it’s just that good in its analysis of life’s matters that we all will face at some point and where we can see Jesus in them.

*This review is based on a free digital advance copy provided by the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for antony .
359 reviews8 followers
March 28, 2019
the encyclopaedia of the Practice of the presence of God.

Life in the presence of God

This book is jam packed with information.

There are a great variety of practices to read about that aim to bring you closer to a God filled life.

As the author says there is no magic formula, and this is not a book of the latest five step plan to make God give you what you want, but is a broad platter of things you can implement to deepen your spiritual life. The idea isn’t that you do everything, but that you see what works for you.

I thought it was going to be like Brother Laurence’s letters in The Practice of the Presence of God, but it’s more like the encyclopaedia of the Practice of the presence of God.


Profile Image for Jonathan.
Author 13 books10 followers
June 1, 2023
Boa ranges this book into two parts. Part 1 is the biblical basis for the presence of God. Part 2 is how to practice the presence. In Part 1 covering the first four chapters, I found him to be quite thorough in describing the biblical evidence for how people lived in God’s presence.

This is the best quote on the presence of God I have read yet! I couldn’t recommend it to you enough. It will challenge you to grow in Christ, but it will also show you what it’s like in a very practical way in each chapter to live in the presence of God now. This is such a great book that I wanted to get an e-book copy of it to accompany my audiobook version. Boa has great insights into a practical living in the presence of God for today.
Profile Image for Brooks Lemmon.
112 reviews7 followers
February 13, 2021
So I actually didn't read this book. I read the study guide that accompanies it. The study guide is essentially a devotional book that guides the reader through over 100 practices that draw the reader into the presence of God. I have been casually reading this book in passing over the course of the last year and throughout that time I have learned new ways that I love to experience and pursue Christ. It was also interesting to try out new ways of pursuing Christ that did not necessarily touch me, but have been proven to touch people for hundreds of years!
Profile Image for Jason Kanz.
Author 5 books39 followers
December 25, 2017
Life in the Presence of God was a wonderful book. Took me a little while to get into it, but by the end, I could envision myself reading again. I previously love Ken but was excellent Conformed to His Image and I have made use of many other materials from him. I found myself encouraged, convicted, and challenged. In the tradition of Brother Lawrence, this book will prove to be a wonderful tool for generations to come.
Profile Image for Cameron Roxburgh.
103 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2018
I value Ken Boa and his writing. I have used his books for leadership training for a long time. I got this book as a recommendation from Patheos... and enjoyed it. I found some intriguing arguments, and some new material.

I think it is a simple book and can be used by many. I am considering using this book in our church as a next summer read.

I was particularly helped by his discussion about the ways in which we train our minds to think and act in a certain path... hugely helpful.
Profile Image for Carter Hemphill.
410 reviews6 followers
January 16, 2021
A 2018 IVP Readers' Choice Award-winner, this is a well-written spiritual formation book that goes beyond emphasizing the importance of spiritual disciplines by providing practical tips and strategies for doing so. When I got to the end of the book, I wished that he could have written even more. I'll want to go back and focus especially on the "practice tip" sections in the chapters and the exercises in the back. A great resource and valuable for more than just new Christians.
7 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2020
In some ways, more of the same, as it relates to Spiritual Formation. But in other ways, it was refreshing, challenging, and helpful. A few chapters were especially poignant, but on a subjective level. Each read will offer something different to the person that engages with it. Such is the task and method of spiritual formation. This is a buy-and-read book.
Profile Image for Patrick.
50 reviews
June 2, 2020
Boa's Life in the Presence of God lays out the necessity of walking in the Spirit.  The author doesn't command, rather he invites the reader to experience God in a more real way throughout their daily life.  Readers will be blessed to find that each chapter includes many practical tips and guides for putting the principles into practice.  I would recommend this book for any believer.
Profile Image for Claire Jansen.
89 reviews
January 22, 2025
I really appreciated this book! He brings a lot of different perspective for how to live life in the full presence of God. I really enjoyed the simplicity of his explanations and the way he made it approachable to put these into action if someone is willing to put in the effort!! Would for sure recommend!
1 review
November 1, 2018
Scripture based guide to mindful meditation focusing on keeping God at the center of your life every day. An easy, but thought provoking book. Excellent for any person who is a Christian believer and finds it challenging to focus on God every day in spite of your circumstances.
400 reviews5 followers
January 2, 2019
Excellent book - well written, convicting, encouraging. Spoke to me on many levels and will want to read again.
Profile Image for Karen Shilvock-Cinefro.
336 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2019
Our social media keeps drowning out God if we let it. Cultivate a greater awareness of Hod in your everyday life.
Profile Image for h.
105 reviews
February 10, 2019
I highly recommend for anyone wanting to go ‘higher up & further in’.
Profile Image for Daniel.
151 reviews
August 21, 2020
Very solid foundational advice on cultivating an intimate life with God. Encouraging, challenging and practical.
Profile Image for Steve.
317 reviews
January 3, 2024
This book offers the reader a guide to living in the presence of God. It has lots of examples of how to do this. Good information.
Profile Image for Audrey.
13 reviews
December 8, 2025
Excellent! From historic examples of the faith to the nuances of neuroscience, Boa explains the why's and how's of living in God's presence moment by moment.
Profile Image for Jessica Sarbu.
19 reviews
January 23, 2024
I typically refrain from underlining in books, but this one prompted numerous markings. I found great enjoyment in its content, it's definitely worth a try.
111 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2022
Life in The Presence of God: Practices for Living in Light of Eternity by Kenneth Boa (IVP Books; 2017)

Ken Boa is a prolific and most eloquent author in his former books, and Life in The Presence of God upholds those characteristics in spades. The theme if the book is to try to be a more practical and accessible resource to help Christians truly experience the presence of God on a daily and ongoing basis. Boa takes his inspiration from famous writers of the past who wrote about their own struggles to achieve a vital and ongoing sense of God’s presence; such as Brother Lawrence, Frank Laubach, and Thomas Kelly. Boa states that while these writings have much value to them for inspiration, they all lack one very vital element —- how to actually put into practice the disciplines and choices needed to draw closer to God and to have His presence as a normal occurrence in the life of believers. The author aims in this book to correct that problem and to try to focus on small and simple steps that grow gradually moe involved and fulfilling one time and consistent practice.

The book is divided into two parts: Part One provides the biblical basis for believers to strive for a near-constant awareness of God and His closeness; and Part Two provides the steps and building blocks to achieving greater awareness of God. Boa mentions the growing body of knowledge of his the brain works — how it remembers, how habits are formed, and the plasticity of the brain to learn or relearn tasks. Thus, the majority of the book shows how once can rewire their brain, learn to see the world through God’s eyes, reorganizing your time to make learning these skills a priority, the importance of confession and repentance to do away with any blocks in relating to God, and the very great importance that community has in helping us to shape our abilities to see ourselves and others through God’s viewpoint.

This book is written in an accessible and engaging manner, as Boa shares insightful experiences and anecdotes to strengthen his case. The book also allows readers access to online training guides. Boa is a most entertaining, yet deeply spiritual and practical all at once. This book is highly recommended for anyone who has despaired of their lack of closeness with God, and given real hope and tools to live in this world as a subject of the Kingdom of God.
2 reviews
November 7, 2017
Wonderful, Helpful, Inspiring!

“Remember who you are,” said a father to his daughter throughout her childhood. “She was the daughter of a King, he would tell her, and she should live her life in this truth” (p. 53). This story from Ken Boa’s new book, Life in the Presence of God: Practices for Living Life in Eternity, resonated deeply with me, and reminded me we are all children of a King. Yet, in our 24 /7 world instant access world, we are bombarded by distractions that pull us away from this truth. As Ken emphasizes, “That is why it’s so important to form habits that bring you into his presence—to remind you of your true identity and purpose” (p. 53).

This rich and engaging book does just. By using many examples from Jesus’s life and those who knew Jesus best, as well as from the Old Testament, Ken shows you how to live each day in God’s presence. The guidelines and exercises will help you keep your focus on Jesus as the center of your life rather than allowing the whims of secular culture to govern it. Jesus will become a tangible life-giving presence every moment of every day, from whom you can draw strength, comfort, and guidance. These practices also will help you listen for God and attune to his will. As a result, you will be better able to remember who you are, to live into your true identity as a child of God, and to work towards fulfilling his purpose for you. - BJ Spanos, Ekteleo Ministry (www.ekteleo.org)
Profile Image for Becky.
847 reviews17 followers
December 24, 2017
Kenneth Boa takes the Christian life and boils it down to its practical practices. Conformed to His Image defines for the Christian whose image we should conform to and how to do it. He breaks it down into easy-to-understand instructions. Now the follow-up book is Life in the Presence of God. It focuses primarily on prayer--which is the foundation for our relationship with God. Again, with easy-to-understand instructions and reasons for following them, Kenneth shows how every Christian can experience the presence of God in a continuous way.

Ken's language is practical and down-to-earth. His narrative is biblical in all ways and theologically sound.

Five Stars

My thanks goes to Intervarsity Press for allowing me to read and review this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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