As the name implies, this expressive practice is all about being there for someone else. 
Sometimes called the ministry of presence, a person who practices this is the person who is always there when you need them. They aren’t necessarily there talking or doing; often they are entirely silent, but they will not leave a hurting person to suffer alone if they are sick, injured or distraught.
A person who practices this spiritual discipline feels closest to God when ministering to the hurting, and oft times they bring the hurting person closer God in the process, for God is present through them.
Although the person may not be speaking aloud, they may well be in silent prayer for the one who is in pain of whatever sort, and in this, they may well have the spiritual gift of mercy.
I hope that you can see that what I am trying to describe here is not a “visitation” of the sick or injured. A visitation is a short visit to pray and encourage, and then to leave. The practice of presence means that the person remains when most others have gone home. They may sit by someone’s bedside all night or stay with the them when everyone else has gone to work or school. If the hurting or sick one needs help or something to eat, they are there. If they need a nap, they are there when the nap is over; do you see the difference?
I would welcome any comments relating to this one. Do you engage in this practice? Have you been blessed by someone else in this way?
Life Project Blog 
Don, a short story: tough time at work recently and no one to share with. I found a friend who was good enough to listen and I “vented”. Their response was to offer suggestions and solutions – and I found that really irritating. It happened with someone else – same response: suggestions and solutions – same irritation. I then realised that what I wanted was to “talk it out” of my system – that was the “solution”. Nothing needed to “change” – other than that.
The gift of presence I find truly humbling and not often understood. We, humans, want to make things better, fix things up, make the emotion go away. Except my God never does. He listens. He allows me to be heard. he does not take my “feelings” – He is part of them. And He is always there. And he never “tells” (or very rarely).
If things get “fixed” it may be a combination of events that fall into place, or of unconnected connections being connected – and at all times I have control of joining the dots or not.
There is great power and great God in presence. And it requires very little training or skills or investment. It requires connection and it requires discipline (usually of the “no words” – or very few – kind).
Yeah, it takes quite a bit of discipline. It’s hard to know whether a person wants ‘help’ or just to talk it out… Personally, I think I have a knack for getting that one wrong 😊
Personally I disagree, your skype restraint is admirable!! 🙂
Only when I can’t get a word in 🙂
🙂
This is not a gift of mine. I’m ashamed to say I feel uneasy around the sick. I pray to the Lord that He will help me change, or that He will send others where needed, who DO have the gift.
Not everyone has the same gift or the same calling, but we do have the love of Christ within us
This is not my gift, Don. I am by nature a “doer,” and “fixer.” I am not particularly skilled at just being present, and can do more harm than good when somebody needs this. I also am not especially receptive to it myself. Enjoying this series.