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!
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From the Back Cover
At any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks God may find Him, and practice the presence of God.
Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century French monk, learned to practice the presence of God at all times. And you can, too. Here in one volume are two classic works by Brother Lawrence. Each book reveals how to practice God's presence and see His glory in every facet of your life.
The Practice of the Presence of God is a collection of documented conversations and letters that reveal the heart of this humble man. He wrote, "The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen . . . I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament."
Brother Lawrence's wisdom and spiritual insights have helped bring people closer to God for more than three centuries. The Spiritual Maxims of Brother Lawrence, a lesser known but equally outstanding work, is a summary of his teachings. Throughout, he develops one great theme, best expressed by the psalmist, "In Thy Presence is fulness of joy."
Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century French monk, learned to practice the presence of God at all times. And you can, too. Here in one volume are two classic works by Brother Lawrence. Each book reveals how to practice God's presence and see His glory in every facet of your life.
The Practice of the Presence of God is a collection of documented conversations and letters that reveal the heart of this humble man. He wrote, "The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen . . . I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament."
Brother Lawrence's wisdom and spiritual insights have helped bring people closer to God for more than three centuries. The Spiritual Maxims of Brother Lawrence, a lesser known but equally outstanding work, is a summary of his teachings. Throughout, he develops one great theme, best expressed by the psalmist, "In Thy Presence is fulness of joy."
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By kmurray
Format:Paperback
A friend told me about this wonderful little book and by providence I purchased this edition as my first copy from amazon.com. The book I received looked different from the one they show here on the site, but it was published by Fleming H. Revell, as shown. The Preface is wonderful and tells the story of Brother Lawrence, preparing you for the text within. When I bought an additional copy from a local bookstore for my graduating neice, I was shocked to find out that the copy (published by a different publisher with a very different Preface) was much more mind-driven and so much less loving! In my opinion, this is the copy to get if you want a true experience of the Divine comfort and companionship Brother Lawrence knew. I've been growing closer to God for 40 years and this little book has skyrocketed me even closer. I hope it does the same for you. Peace. :) k
75 of 80 people found the following review helpful
By buyaclue
Format:Paperback
My pastor, who is mentoring me, recommended this book, when all our meetings were not helping me grow nor helping me throw off sinful habits.
In a world full of "doing", "performing", "keeping up with the Joneses", and an innumerable other distractions and pressures, Brother Lawrence was a man gifted by God to have the vision of true fellowship with God. He tells us simply that being a Christian means to have a constant love relationship with God, only made possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. He reminds us not be guilty or ashamed (a very difficult thing to know if you're not told explicitly, and something only known through faith).
The message of the churches (at least in the Western world) has been so diluted by the culture of "results" and "knowledge". We are often given guilt trips by church leader because we aren't "up to par" or because we don't buy into the church's vision. After attending a church for many years, we're still spiritually dry, and at the same time expected to serve more and more? Is that the abundant life?
Instead, we are supposed to be taught how to have fellowship with God! From that, everything else flows. There are no shortcuts!
Brother Lawrence exhorts us to have such a dear love for God that we are completely at rest with Him. It does takes time and discipline to develop the intimacy, but with any other love relationship (w/spouse, etc.), after a little effort and focus, the love between the two of you carries the relationship quite automatically.
I can truly see how the Holy Spirit is changing me because of this book, by no effort on my part to change myself. All I have to do is to be in love with Jesus. His power in me is allowing me to be more disciplined in many areas of life, and loosening my attachment to worldly things. Plus, I have a new appreciation for Jesus' gift in taking my punishment upon Himself. How could He love such wretched people as us? That's the greatness of His love.
The vast majority of Christian books out there present such profound truths, and we're so in awe of the new things we've "learned". Yet they usually don't draw us closer to God, because they're filled with mechanical methods. "Practice the Presence" is a great book, not because of the wisdom of the author, but because it points us directly to God Himself.
Back to my original question: Do you have the Spirit?
You know you have the Holy Spirit if you have His presence, because they are one in the same. Don't miss out on God's gifts!
Some Biblical references:
- Lk 10:38-42 (note that Martha was not chastised for her service, but for being worried and upset)
- Acts 1:4-5 (Jesus told the disciples not to do anything until the Spirit came upon them)
- Gal 3:3 (don't use human effort)
- Lk 15:1-2 (Jesus welcomes us unconditionally. Do you think He told the fornicators to stop thinking lustful thoughts before He would eat with them? Seems rather that He welcomed them first, even with their evil thoughts, and let His loving presence change them)
- 1 Cor 13:1-3 (love is the foundation)
- John 15:5 (speaks for itself)
43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This beautiful gem of a book contains the conversations, letters, spiritual maxims and a brief biography of a seventeenth century French monk, Brother Lawrence. Although almost three hundred years old, this book is a timeless classic. It portrays the lifes journey of Brother Lawrence from a solider to a man of God. It chronicles his struggle to accept the grace of God and then tells of his life as he strove to live in the presence of God. One of my favorite chapters is his letter to a soldier. It is interesting that as a former solider he does not contemn the violence of a soldiers profession; rather, he encouraged the young man to live a Godly life.
Repeatedly, Brother Lawrence stresses that the presence of God can only be maintained by heart and love, rather than my understanding and speech. Thus, he would rather mediate on the truth and character of God than spend time in deep exegetical study. Tozer echoed the same though three hundred years later when he stated that the evangelical church is sacrificing a relationship with God for orthodoxy. Like Richard Foster, who wrote Celebration of Discipline, Lawrence distinguished between mediation and study. One needs to slow down and be with God.
This book really helped me stop the academic rat race and slow down to spend time in communion with God and my fellow man. Trained in a rational academic environment, it is all to easy for me to spend my time in exegetical study getting to know about God rather than spending time in the Word getting to know God. The other Lord's Day, I came to the church building early to practice my sermon, only to discover that the cleaning crew failed to their jobs. Instead of prayer and preaching, I spent the next two hours cleaning toilets and washing glass doors. I remembered Brother Lawrences admonition that he never grew tired of doing the smallest things for God. Instead of becoming angry, I was able to maintain a joyful attitude that stayed with me throughout the morning services.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
This has to be one of our favorite treatises on Christianity in it's simplest terms. Brother Lawrence is right up there with Lewis, Tozer and Francis Schaeffer.
Published 2 days ago by T. Giangreco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Excellent book on the Christian discipline of divine presence. Brother Lawrence is inspirational and unwavering in his conviction. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Forrest Kemmerer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two writtings in one.
Having found the presence of God, Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth century French Monk, made notes to others that might be searching as he had for the love, intimacy and presence of... Read more
Published 6 days ago by Marnette Click
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brother Lawrence
I have no idea why it took me so long to discover this little jewel of a book. If nothing else, it would be a testimony of the power of the influence of a single person. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Norma J. Goldman
5.0 out of 5 stars
HIS METHOD IS HARD BUT IT WORKS
I have been practicing being the presence of God for awhile, however, reading this book has answered some questions as to why it is difficult and how to be more successful. Read more
Published 14 days ago by David E. Aeh
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gift to a friend
Excellent testimonial book on how to live daily as if God were real and really there with you - Oh, yes, He is! Read more
Published 23 days ago by J. C. Lull
4.0 out of 5 stars
In God Presence every moment
Not for everybody, but a good Spiritual read. Needs to be read slowly and reflectivly. over a long period of time and gone back over and over to get the most out of it.
Published 1 month ago by Luke Beckman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple, yet deep
Very simple, but deep in helping one connect with God. It was inspiring and easy to read, yet could be read multiple times with various take aways.
Published 1 month ago by Sharon Rainey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Converse with God continously
This book is amazing!! The practise described by Brother lawrence which he followed himself is the one which any and everyone can relate and practise. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tanu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Revolutionary Book
I first read this book more than three decades ago, and its stirring message still stays with me. These centuries-old writings completely revolutionized my understanding of what it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by TomeTracker
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