I’ve heard this prayer maybe more than any:

“Jesus, we just pray you’d be with us right now…”

Here’s the thing: God promised to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18), never to leave or forsake us (Hebrew 13:5), dwell in us through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), and when two or more are gathered in His name He is would be in our midst (Matthew 18:20).

If we really believe those promises, then, why are we praying for Jesus to be with us?

I think it’s time we start thanking God for being with us – for always showing up – for His presence in our midst because He promised, not because we prayed for it. I wonder what it would be like if we started showing up to gatherings expectant He was already there? I wonder if we’d have a deeper fear of God, sense of His holy power, and joy in community? I wonder what sort of witness we might be to the world? I get the sense we’ve been missing out. Let’s start showing up like He really is Emmanuel.

See also: Psalm 46:7; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1,14; Revelation 21:3