Product Description

This work contains letters, ways and spiritual principles of Brother Lawrence, the 17th-century French monk who in his monastery kitchen discovered an overwhelming delight in God's presence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #180697 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

About the Author
Brother Lawrence: Brother Lawrence was a seventeenth-century French monk who in his monastery kitchen discovered an overwhelming delight in God's presence.

Customer Reviews

This is a wonderful guide to daily spiritual behavior.
Practicing the Presence of God presents the way Brother Lawrence recommends that we stay in touch with God on a daily basis. It is practical, simple, and, above all, it works. It is not too dissimilar to the concept behind In His Steps (I think that's the title) where one asks at every step, "What would Christ do?" In this case one, in all of one's daily activities (washing the dishes, studying, anything), puts oneself into God's presence (as St. John of the Christ says, it CAN be by imagination, or in reality, or whatever works for you), one dedicates every action to God, and one lets the awareness of God's presence guide every decision and movement throughout the day. Thus life itself becomes prayer, and every move one makes is a sacrament. I know, from experience, that this works, and that this is a very powerful method of bringing God's presence into one's daily activities. What starts by imagination quickly evolves into reality, and this provides both guidance and protection throughout the day. It can also be VERY demanding - God is not just a presence on Sunday morning, or at our meditation sessions - he is actively carried with us throughout the day, so demands are exacted from us concerning our conduct and behavior that are on a very high level. This is NOT thoughtless living! It can be heroism of the highest level. But it can also be one of the most effective methods of making fast progress in the spiritual life. One should commune with God whenever possible - in prayer or meditation - and than take this practice with one in one's daily activities, so one draws upon those inner resources that are awakened through prayer.

Br. Lawrence gives us a great challange.
Br. Lawrence is one of the great hidden treasures of the Catholic Church. His simple approach to union with God is easy to understand, yet gives us a great challange. His approach to the spiritual life, and the maxims he offers us are beneficial to all who read his work. If someone finds themselves "too busy" in life (and from time to time aren't we all) Br. Lawrence offers a great remedy.

An answer to a prayer for growth
I encourage anyone in search of growing closer to the Lord our God to buy this book. Brother Lawrence simply states that a life devoted to God needs to be a LIFE devoted to God, and not just minutes and hours here and there. With such a love as that from God, why should we want to do anything else but ponder the beautiful heart of God every second? This was the question that brother Lawrence asked. If God wills, buy this book and may it help you to understand that God is always with us (Galatians 2:20) and that all we need to do is look and we may see and understand our glorious Lord Jesus.