Your Heavenly Father loves you and invites you to live under His care and in His presence. This is where your heart was made to dwell.

The CSBC Prayer Initiative has partnered with Bill Elliff to provide his latest book, The Presence-Centered Life, which walks you through this truth in Scripture. God is calling us back to His presence. Through Jesus, we are redeemed and restored to walk with Him daily.

Bill Elliff and his team planted a church centered on seeking God’s presence—longing to be a people through whom God could move. What might happen if we asked, “How can our study, service, or ministry become a place where God's presence is welcomed as we pursue His calling?”

Can you imagine a worship service or Bible study where God's presence was unmistakably real?

This prayer guide takes you through Psalm 16, inviting you to marvel with David at God’s power, nearness, and leadership. Each section follows the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer and is shaped by the Scripture-fed, Spirit-led, Worship-based model of prayer:

• We begin with Praise – “Hallowed be Your name…”
  
  
• We surrender to His will – “Your Kingdom come…”
  
  
• We trust Him with our needs – “Give us this day…”
  
  
• We follow Him into the future – “Lead us not into temptation…”
  
  

Let God speak to you through His Word before you respond to Him in prayer.

Reflect on what these verses reveal about God and why He is worthy of worship. As you read, listen for what He is saying. Then respond in praise.

1 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.

2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have nothing good besides you.”

3 As for the holy people who are in the land,
they are the noble ones.
All my delight is in them.

4 The sorrows of those who take another god
for themselves will multiply;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
and I will not speak their names with my lips.

We worship you alone because you are…

Father, you are our only good because…

You have shown me your goodness when…

Reflect on what this passage reveals about trusting God’s plan. Let it strengthen your confidence to surrender your life and ministry to His will.

5 Lord, you are my portion
and my cup of blessing;
you hold my future.

6 The boundary lines have fallen for me
in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

Father, You hold our future, not the challenges we face in…

Father, You have placed our church in this neighborhood, and we want them to see how ________ you are!

What promises are found here? What burdens can you place in His hands today—for your life, your family, and your church?

7 I will bless the Lord who counsels me—
even at night when my thoughts trouble me.

8 I always let the Lord guide me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Guide me as I face… (8)

Because You are with me I will not fear… (8)

We will bless you through…(7)

These verses offer a vision for joy-filled, presence-centered living. Imagine what could happen if your next church gathering was marked by the joy of God’s presence.

9 Therefore my heart is glad
and my whole being rejoices;
my body also rests securely.

10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol;
you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.

11 You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

In your presence is the joy we seek. Show us how to seek your presence in the area of _____________ (Ministry).

In your presence is the joy we seek. Lead us as we… (serve Him, praise Him, seek Him, trust Him)

Let this Psalm guide your prayers and renew your longing to live in God's presence.
He is near—and joy is found at His right hand.