I may enter the appointed time and place and not sense the presence of the Lord, but I can be as assured of His presence as if I felt it. Why? Because of His words to that effect. He has made statements in the Bible to say that He is with us.
“I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:6, 8)
“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalms 34:15)
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)
If I truly believe these promises with my heart, meaning I embrace them with a passionate conviction, I will begin to actually feel the presence of the Lord. We must remember and trust that He has obligated himself to hear us and see us when we pray. Christians should begin their times of prayer focusing their thoughts on this fact that our Lord is with them, listening and watching their prayers.