Before the world as we know it ever began, God had a plan for each of us.  It was the desire of God to establish a relationship with us which would allow us to dwell in his presence, and his presence to dwell in us.  This relationship would have to be based on a choice on our part and His part, to enter into it, on our own free will. Due to certain negative events, after the creation of man, it seemed, that God's plans, were thwarted and just the opposite was happening.  It seemed that man would be forever cast away from the presence of God.  In the midst of these tragic circumstances, through certain wonderful events, which were orchestrated by the mercy and grace of God,  a way was made for man to be granted full access to the presence of God.  The answer to man's dilemma came in the form of one called Jesus Christ, who presented himself as "the way".  It is through him that a way has been made for us to be able to come boldly before the presence of God, and for God to come and dwell (via his presence) in us.  The words of Christ confirms to us that it is now possible to abide in the presence of God, and the presence of God to abide in us.  It is God who calls us to himself,  (His presence), If we answer the call, God will save us.  Once we are saved, we then need to grow.  In order to grow, we need spiritual nourishment, which can only be obtained in the presence of God. Jesus said in order to mature to the point of bringing forth fruit, we must abide in him, and he must abide in us,  (compare). 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  Jn 15:4-5. It is only in the presence of God, that we will find the love, hope strength, deliverance, guidance, fulfillment, peace, and rest, he desires for us to have. In this study we will look at two critical aspects of the presence of God, as it relates to our relationship with God.  First God seeks to draw us into his presences to the point of us prayerfully abiding, before him (develop a lifestyle of prayer).  Secondly God seeks to get us to open our hearts to Him, through repentance and faith to the point, where his presence can come in and abide in us.