The Practice of the Presence of God

Many practical, and proverbial, statements regarding the benefit of abiding in the presence of the Lord.I was particularly impressed with his thoughts forgetting and/or neglecting God:“You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it.”Learn to live in His presence. Simple, but not well-practiced.

Essential reading for any theist; no other book is more profound, nor simpler. Truly, practice makes perfect.

I am so glad to have read this book! Brother Lawrence was indeed a man of God. Through his inspiring text I am encouraged that it is entirely possible to live my life wholly to God as I am aspiring to do with the help of my Lord and Savior!

The whole Holy Bible (in a true translation) is the most important book to read and learn from, for always, “the witness of God is greater”: It is the true eternal living words of God for life forevermore. Inerrant and immutable, it will always be the greater testimony!However, this book is, “if the witness of man be good…” remains the helpful words of man that have endured in “Practicing the Presence of God”, it acknowledges: The righteous, gracious Heavenly Father we have in Christ Jesus, His Son; the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world! AND most vitally, that Jesus the Christ wants, seeks and delights in a close personal relationship with every believer. The author reminds us to always and continually magnify and praise the Lord God Christ Jesus in every situation and work we are involved in! Perpetually, giving thanks and praise, glory and honor to our Lord and Savior God, from the moment we open our eyes in the morning and until we close them at night: magnify and rejoice in the Lord God.Are you seeking to know Jesus Christ as your Savior God? Ask Him for forgiveness; repent! Though our sins be as scarlet, the LORD says “… they shall be as white as snow…” Confess and believe in your heart on the Lord Jesus Christ, that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved! Tell someone! Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit; He who puts you into the kingdom of God and seals you for the day of redemption, is the Spirit of adoption and promise! You can know your name is written in heaven. AND know by your faith alone (the grace of God) which justifies you before the Father for true and Perfect Peace with God. Jesus transforms you! You are born of God; born from above; born again; made a new creation in Christ; and Christ in you; through the now eternal indwelling Holy Spirit; to be outpoured through you: to share the light, love, mercy and peace of God with all you meet. It is the will of God that we outpour into and upon one another: God does the conversion and transformation! Just be His fountain.Each and every person of accountable age (and mind) must choose. No one can remain neutral. Choose this day whom you will serve, for we all serve something or someone. Choose Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life and practice the presence of God all the days of your life.GODSPEED: be blessed and flourishing into more of Christ!Yes, I am practicing, yet, far from perfectly! I remain thankful for God’s grace. His always all sufficient grace.God bless you (us all) in your (our) walk in Christ and the Holy Spirit, as you (we) practice being in the presence of God! Alleluia!

Brother Lawrence, born Nicolas Herman in Lorraine, France, lived through most of the 1600s and passed most of his life in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Because of his lack of education he became what was known then as a "lay brother," that is, he took vows but was not an ordained priest. However, despite being a humble kitchen worker, he impressed so many of his fellow monks with his extraordinary piety that people even came to see him from outside the monastery, and he attracted correspondents as well. One of his visitors was the priest Joseph de Beaufort, who later became a high official in the Archdiocese of Paris. After Lawrence's death, and against his explicit wishes as expressed in one of the letters included in this little book, Beaufort published notes he had taken on several of his visits to Brother Lawrence, as well as letters the monk wrote to him and to several other recipients.This is a very slim collection that can easily be read straight through in an hour or so. According to Brother Lawrence, as the result of a profound spiritual experience he set out to cultivate a sense of God's presence by continually conversing with him. Continually talking to God simply and directly, and doing everything as an act of love for God sums up his entire program. He lived in an age when large numbers of people practiced various kinds of penances, many of which involved mortification of the flesh, but also other kinds of spiritual devotions that were not harmful of themselves, but which in many cases became unhealthy obsessions. He rejected such practices, because for him simple love of God was paramount. For Brother Lawrence, work time was prayer time; but really, it was always prayer time. He admits to experiencing "dry times" of the soul, but counseled pushing through those; according to Brother Lawrence, you should first ask God for the gifts necessary to develop this practice of the presence of God, which he will grant you. Like that other spiritual giant Teresa, Lawrence lifted up even the simplest things to God, and in the process transformed them and himself. Christians have been encouraged by his counsel and recommended his way as worthy of example--including a spiritual giant in his own right, John Wesley--and in the last couple of decades he has found a new currency not only among Catholic Charismatics, but also among Protestant Evangelicals as well.There are numerous versions of this classic available today. This one has an introductory essay by Rev. Gregory Bellarmine, superior general of the Society of St. John of the Cross, "St. Paul the Mystic & Brother Lawrence." I found it interesting as a way to think about spirituality--which which many Catholics and Protestants don't really believe in, thinking somehow it is opposed to organized religion--to better appreciate "the practice of the presence of God." There is another short article after the letters which explains "How the Traditional Carmelite Nuns Spent their Day." I presume the men spent their days similarly, but that is just a guess based on my general knowledge about Catholic monastic practices. Following that is a series of "Reading Group Questions" which, although poorly worded and edited in places--one of them is even repeated--could lead to good discussions by a group of people who had read the book seriously. Brother Lawrence's work always merits five stars; this edition still gets four, though, based on its low price.What is most important is that the heart of this book--Beaufort's notes and Brother Lawrence's letters--should be read seriously by anyone who takes their Christianity seriously. This is the second edition I have read, and I will probably read others to see what other kinds of ancillary materials editors put in with Brother Lawrence. But in the end, Brother Lawrence has helped more people get closer to God than a lot of much better-educated writers who have written much longer works. What matters truly is being in the Presence of God.

I love the book itself. It is an incredibly easy read, totaling 39 pages in all, but it is a good one. The perspective we get into the conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence are nothing but the simple, whole truth, of Christ-oriented, true to the gospel living. These collected words have encouraged me to read critically, and keep my perspective on what really matters: GOD and His love in everything. I've lent the book to friends of mine, and they would all agree on the same things.This specific book is an Amazon print, but the paperback is the cheapest copy you'll get out there. So deliberate if this is the copy you want as you will.

A very interesting & touching letters & devotion to God. Really enjoyed reading, & will read again & again to consolidate my own faith that the Lord is always with us, in sickness & in health, He always has something to show & teach us.

A simple book on how to lead a catholic life being a commoner and impress Jesus

Just read the first and second conversation and I have learnt a lot.Will recommend it for every one who follows Christ Jesus our Lord.

A beautifully simple but profound book about being with Jesus each and every day. This book is soul nourishing and deeply challenging.