The Practice of the Presence of God

by Brother Lawrence

Publisher:

Whitaker House

, 1982

Overview

Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of “practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end.” He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our souls. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.
As a humble cook, Brother Lawrence learned an important lesson through each daily chore: The time he spent in communion with the Lord should be the same, whether he was bustling around in the kitchen—with several people asking questions at the same time—or on his knees in prayer. He learned to cultivate the deep presence of God so thoroughly in his own heart that he was able to joyfully exclaim, “I am doing now what I will do for all eternity. I am blessing God, praising Him, adoring Him, and loving Him with all my heart.”
This unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day.

Contents

• Preface
• Part 1: Conversations
  • First Conversation
  • Second Conversation
  • Third Conversation
  • Fourth Conversation
• Part 2: Letters
  • First Letter
  • Second Letter
  • Third Letter
  • Fourth Letter
  • Fifth Letter
  • Sixth Letter
  • Seventh Letter
  • Eighth Letter
  • Ninth Letter
  • Tenth Letter
  • Eleventh Letter
  • Twelfth Letter
  • Thirteenth Letter
• Part 3: Spiritual Maxims
  • Spiritual Maxims
  • Essential Practice for the Spiritual life
  • How to Adore God
  • The Union of the Soul With God
  • The Presence of God
  • The Means of Acquiring God's Presence
  • The Blessings of the Presence of God
• Part 4: The Life of Brother Lawrence

Top Highlights

“Brother Lawrence was aware of his sins and was not at all surprised by them. ‘That is my nature,’ he would say, ‘the only thing I know how to do.’ He simply confessed his sins to God, without pleading with Him or making excuses. After this, he was able to peacefully resume his regular activity of love and adoration. If Brother Lawrence didn’t sin, he thanked God for it, because only God’s grace could keep him from sinning.” (source)

“Brother Lawrence insisted that, to be constantly aware of God’s presence, it is necessary to form the habit of continually talking with Him throughout each day. To think that we must abandon conversation with Him in order to deal with the world is erroneous.” (source)

“The church’s only road to the perfection of Christ is faith.” (source)

“Allow your will to recall your attention gently to God.” (source)

“Before he had experienced God’s swift help in his affairs, he had attempted to plan every detail, doing the job in his own strength. Now, though, acting with childlike simplicity in God’s sight, he did everything for the love of God, thanking Him for His guidance. Everything he did passed calmly, in a way that held him close to the loving presence of God.” (source)

What You'll Learn

The Practice of the Presence of God is a compilation of Brother Lawrence's interviews, letters, and sayings. He was a humble monk from the seventeenth century who served much of his time as a cook in his monastery.

As readers journey through this book, it will inspire them to walk more closely with God, even in the most mundane and uncomfortable things.

While this book is short and relatively simple, it is deeply profound. It will inspire the reader to be mindful of God's presence. But Brother Lawrence will remind the reader of something even more critical: the faithfulness of God. This awe of God's faithfulness overcame him at eighteen after he observed a barren tree: "Although the tree's leaves were indeed gone, he knew that they would soon reappear, followed by blossoms and then fruit. This gave him a profound impression of God's providence and power." This awe would never leave him.

This essential Christian classic invites the reader to learn of and share in the same awe and become aware of God's presence continuously.

Product Details

• Title : The Practice of the Presence of God
• Author: Lawrence, Brother
• Publisher: Whitaker House
• Publication Date: 1982
• ISBN: 9781603741682

About Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence was best known for his book The Practice of the Presence of God as he discussed in great detail how essential a relationship is with God. Brother Lawrence also spent time in Paris a Carmelite monastery as a layperson. He died in 1691.