The Practice of the Presence of God

By Brother Lawrence

Discover how to practice God's presence at all times and see His glory in every facet of life. Includes Spiritual Maxims--two classics in one!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 1, 1967
• ISBN: 9781441238924

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The Practice of the

Presence of God

A PILGRIM’S PRAYER

Lord of all pots and pans and things . . .

Make me a saint by getting meals

And washing up the plates!

Thus Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial task into a living hymn to the glory of God.

The conversation and letters of this humble but exalted lay brother have been compiled to show all of us how, at any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks the companionship of God may find Him.

PREFACE

Fame and greatness are relative values and often a delusion and a snare, depending upon circumstances and an attitude of mind. Napoleon was famous to some and infamous to others, and Jesus, crucified in His day, is greater with the passing years. Perhaps the greatest of men are those who never seek greatness at all, but who personify the virtues which posterity calls great. Such an one was Brother Lawrence, known largely to posterity by way of the beauty of this little book, beloved to succeeding generations not as king or conqueror or Croesus but because, with a mind so like the mind which was in Christ, he lived so abundantly in the presence of God.

The value of this book lies in its Christian humility and simplicity. No conceited scholar was Brother Lawrence; theological and doctrinal debates bored him, if he noticed them at all. His one desire was for communion with God. We find him worshiping more in his kitchen than in his cathedral; he could pray, with another

Lord of all pots and pans and things . . .

Make me a saint by getting meals

And washing up the plates!

and he could say, The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.

Except for the kitchen, we know little of his career: only that he was born Nicholas Herman in French Lorraine, that he was lowly and unlearned in the teaching of the schools, that he served briefly as footman and soldier, and under the whips of God and conscience was driven to become a lay brother among the barefooted Carmelites at Paris in the year 1666 and was known forever after that as Brother Lawrence. His conversion, at eighteen, was the result of the mere sight on a midwinter day of a dry and leafless tree standing gaunt against the snow; it stirred deep thoughts within him of the change the coming spring would bring. From that moment on he grew and waxed strong in the knowledge and love and favor of God, endeavoring constantly, as he put it, to walk as in His presence. No wilderness wanderings, no bitter winter seasons of soul or spirit, seem to have intervened between the Red Sea and the Jordan of his experience. A wholly consecrated man, he lived his life as though he were a singing pilgrim on the march, as happy in serving his fellow monks and brothers from the monastery kitchen as in serving God in the vigil of prayer and penance. He died at eighty years of age, full of love and years and honored by all who knew him, leaving a name which has been as precious ointment poured forth.

This little record of his mind and heart is made up of notes of several conversations with him and letters written by him, set in order by M. Beaufort, grand vicar to M. de Chalons, formerly Cardinal de Noailles, by whose recommendation the Letters were first published. The whole world has received it gladly; no man lives who knows how many editions there have been, how many millions have read these words. That was to be expected, for here is a wisdom which only lips that have been touched by the Lord can express, and truth and faith and love and hope for which the hearts of ages of men have longed.

We publish it as a unique record of one who walked with Christ because he chose to walk among the lowly, of one who saw God’s glory shining in the commonplace. Wherever he was, the Light was there; wherever he walked was hallowed ground. He showed us how, at any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks God may find Him, and practice the presence of God.

Such a story, such an accomplishment, should never die, so long as there are those who spend lifetimes in quest of the assurance and the wisdom of the lowly lay brother of Paris.

THE PUBLISHERS

CONVERSATIONS

FIRST CONVERSATION

The first time I saw brother Lawrence was upon the third of August, 1666. He told me that God had done him a singular favor in his conversion at the age of eighteen.

That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time the leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of the providence and power of God, which has never since been effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such a love for God that he could not tell whether it had increased during the more than forty years he had lived since.

That he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the treasurer, and that he was a great awkward fellow who broke everything.

That he had desired to be received into a monastery, thinking that he would there be made to smart for his awkwardness and the faults he should commit, and so he should sacrifice to God his life, with its pleasures; but that God had disappointed him, he having met with nothing but satisfaction in that state.

That we should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation to think of trifles and fooleries.

That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of God, which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.

That we ought to quicken—i.e., to enliven—our faith. That it was lamentable we had so little; and that instead of taking faith for the rule of their conduct, men amused themselves with trivial devotions, which changed daily. That the way of faith was the spirit of the church, and that it was sufficient to bring us to a high degree of perfection.

That we ought to give ourselves up to

Reviews for The Practice of the Presence of God

[bonbooko · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second best book I have ever read in my life. It is simple and clear, and beautifully honest. The raw journal writings of the two men are life changing.

[gottfried_leibniz-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After reading the Ignatian spirituality, I am amazed to see that this book lined up with the same message, "The Presence of God."

The more I get close with Christ, the deeper I see my wickedness.
I think, the message which this book taught me was that during tough times, I would to ask God to love him more than ever. The struggle would be real, but to love him during that time? Not easy

We are created to love him, every moment, at times we wander off. It is our duty to love him with all our heart.

I see God working in subtle things in my life, every day. I remember, I borrowed an umbrella from a retired professor on my campus. I was worried how I was going to find him again but to my surprise, he just appeared right infront of me at that second, when I was walking inside a building.

Let us try to grow closer with the Lord and rely on him each moment.
Love is the most important quality, without love mortification of the sins wouldn't be efficious.

We must study ever to regard God and his Glory in all that we do, that is the end - Brother Lawrence

[baruchviviers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am left speechless as we can walk with the presence of God in all our comings and goings daily moment by moment.

[goodgeniuslibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Brother Lawrence is a wonderful example of a person who has learned to soley focus on God and take great pleasure in His presence. I highly question whether he would have achieved such singularity of mind had he lived with a wife and children in today's world. Never-the-less, his wisdom and lessons are something to strive for.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a Christian classic that I revisit every few years. I first discovered it as an undergraduate student because a fellow student enjoyed it immensely. In a series of conversations and letters, Brother Lawrence shows the importance of remembering that God is always with you and acting like He is by conversing with Him constantly. Any book that makes me want to read it as often as this slim volume has over the years is a 5 star read!

[bwhitner-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was good but repetitive. Sound advice on how to be in Gods presence. Slow read.

[delenburg-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I actually read this online and am not sure it was the whole text. Definitely an interesting view on daily Christian experience by a monk.

[griffin_reads · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

While I have heard many good things about this book, it just did not sit right with me. It was very repetitive and seemed to glorify brother Lawrence, which seemed counterproductive to the goal.

[jeanbmac · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a lovely, lovely book.

[stthomasym · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is one of the most powerful prayer books I've ever read. Brother Laurence opened my eyes on what prayer actually is and is not. In one part of the book, he shares that after working on this "practice of the presence of God", he often felt as close to Jesus doing the dishes as he did in the chapel - for Him, the work of our lives is to be done in total union with Jesus Christ. A life changing read for sure.

[longhorndaniel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brother Lawrence is one of my new heros now. a must read for any Christian with a passion for learning.

[harrod_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is a very nice little book. Should be read slow And quietly.

[cjyurkanin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very short primer by a lay Carmelite brother from the 1600's on finding joy in all things through the sweet surrender to Divine Will. Not a how-to but a what-can-be-accomplished, leading to the "unclouded vision" of the Creator.

Composed of letters, spiritual maxims, and a character study by a contemporary.

"Believe me, count as lost each day you have not used in loving God."

[gpaisley_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Simple yet profound, a challenge to think differently.

[orfishome · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Need to read again to take it all in. How I would love to live that way with God ever-present in my thoughts, but I struggle with the actual practice.

[susan139 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The letters and accounts of a Brother who spent a large part of his life in the kitchens at a monastery. The letters tell of his day to day walk with God and their constant conversations.I found this book really uplifting and helpful

[ctpress_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very short devotional classic that reminds one of the importance of having God in your thoughts during your normal daily activities. That we have a tendency to break up our lives in sacred and secular activities - but God is a constant presence and should be recognised in everything we do - There is a lot to ponder upon in these concise reflections.

[rrhowell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A classic devotional work. What I like best about it is that he is a struggler, and he is not averse to explaining that he struggles and fumbles both with spiritual things, and with natural things.

[janesteen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Where I got the book: purchased on the Nook (yes, it does happen).I'm not really sure what to say about this little book. I guess I was expecting some great revelation about how to be a better Christian but the basic message here is "practice the presence of God every day." Hmmm. That's a bit like opening a book and finding written inside, "This is a book. Read it." Don't get me wrong, Brother Lawrence sounds like a great guy. In fact the book is part memoir, part biography, part letters and so on. It's a collection of documents by and about Brother Lawrence who, from the sound of it, was a genuinely humble, dedicated follower of Christ. I think this book may inspire some people; it just didn't inspire me, and probably that's indicative of my own spiritual status (low on the scale). I know I SHOULD practice the presence of God; I'm not sure HOW, and maybe it's one of those things like riding a bike; you try until you get it, and once you get it you don't know how you were ever not able to do it.Maybe I should revisit this one in ten years' time. Will there still be a Nook, I wonder?

[erika.d · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best Christian books I have read in a long time. Brother Lawrence's faith and guidance is a blessing. If you want to learn how to stay in the presence of God, read this book.

[zangasta · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

"I recommend to you that you do the thing that I am thinking of in my mind right now. Do it and you will be rewarded."That's all that ever get's said. What the thing in Lawrence's mind is, we are never told. Which is of course typical of Christianity: at the end of the day it is whatever you make it.Poor man.