Theoretically, the Bible affirms that God is always present alongside his people. “Teach them to obey everything I have taught you, and I will always be with you, even to the end of this age. » Matthew 28:20. In the novel Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, it conveys a message that God's presence is both recognized and ignored by the characters, as well as a message to "love your brother as yourself" (Matthew 19:19) through forgiveness despite skin color. Above all, Stephen Kumalo continually seeks and lives in the presence of the Lord. Kumalo prays and asks God for help daily. “Tixo (God), watch over me,” he said to himself. Tixo, watch over me (48). Later, Kumalo's prayers are answered and readers can sense a divine presence with Stephen. Stephen Kumalo is a relatively spiritually inclined priest, who devotes his time to praying for his village of Ndotcheni. His devotion to the church, the village and to God makes the presence of God evident. This commitment allowed “Kumalo to pray regularly in his church for the restoration of Ndotsheni (263)”. Because Kumalo seeks God's help daily, His presence is continually noticed, felt, or suggested; especially since the novel includes Kumalo's constant connection with God. Even towards the end of the novel, on page 257, after all the trouble he has faced, Stephen says a prayer in front of the village. “Tixo,” he prayed, “we give thanks to you for your endless mercy…” Overall, Kumalo relies heavily on God to help him resolve the problems he faces and those of the others. He also uses God as the fundamental foundation upon which he builds his faith and will to overcome impending problems. Unlike his brother Stephen, John Kumalo has stopped going to church, is not religious...... middle of paper.... ..ds" and Kumalo's response is "You are forgiven ". This example doesn't quite do justice to Paton's overall spiritual message of treating others with the same type of respect that one would want to be treated through forgiveness, regardless of skin color. The best example above all is James Jarvis' struggle to overcome his pride and selfishness, see Africa's problems through the eyes of his deceased son, and make a difference in the life of a fellow Christian. Jarvis followed the biblical teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself” by forgiving Absalom, even though Absalom is black. Overall, God's presence is never absent but can be ignored. Additionally, characters who have a divine presence tend to follow the biblical teachings of forgiving others and treating one another with the respect and love that God intended for every human being, regardless of the color of his skin..