The Practice of the Presence of God [Paperback]

John J. Delaney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

Here is a guide for all seekers aspiring to union with God, which, according to Brother Lawrence, is the ultimate goal of every soul. This Image Pocket Classic features an in-depth introduction that examines what is known about Lawrence's life.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

 All things are possible to one who believes; even more to one who hopes; still more to one who loves.

This Classic work--the original guide to "practicing the presence of God"--has inspired millions of people in a variety of editions since it was first published after the author's death in 1691.

Brother Lawrence was a humble monk who spent much of his monastic life working in the kitchen. His life and writings reveal the secrets of daily, moment by moment fellowship with God. " In the way of God, thoughts count very little," he says. Full of realistic honesty, friendliness, and simplicity, The Practice of the Presence of God shows that it's possible to meet God among the pots and pans--in the ordinary , daily events of life. This edition, rendered from the original French into graceful, comtemporary English, will nourish and delight all who seek to know and love God more intimately.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Image (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038548240X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385482400
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 3.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,357,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

233 of 240 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Seminal and Very Influential Classic of Spirituality, December 1, 2000

By 

Cameron B. Clark (Bristow, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Practice of the Presence of God (Living Library) (Paperback)

I first learned about this wonderful little book through another very useful book entitled "Great Books of the Christian Tradition" by Terry Glaspey. Glaspey is a Christian booklover who's well read in Christian literature and considers this book one of the top ten that every Christian ought to read. The value of Brother Lawrence's book is seen in the fact that it is one of the favorites of some of the other authors on Glaspey's top ten list: A.W. Tozer (author of "The Pursuit of God") and Richard Foster (author of "A Celebration of Discipline"). Another popular Christian author (who is a Quaker like Foster) that was influenced by Brother Lawrence is mentioned in the introduction by Hal Helms in Paraclete Press's edition of "The Practice of the Presence of God": Hannah Whitall Smith (author of "The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life"). Mrs. Smith called Lawrence's book "one of the most helpful books I know." And still another Quaker, Thomas Kelly (author of the classic, "A Testament of Devotion"), treasured Brother Lawrence's book as well. This is just a small handful of major authors influenced by this classic that testifies to its enduring value in the broader Christian community. I've read all of the above classics and therefore can personally testify that Brother Lawrence's principles are reflected in all of them!

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (a.k.a. Nicholas Herman) lived in the 17th century and was a monk within the Carmelite Order of the Roman Catholic Church. This was the Order of such notable Christian mystics as St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross who authored other seminal mystical texts. "The Practice of the Presence of God" is a small book of compiled documents of various literary genres. The one who compiled them was the Abbe of Beaufort who is the author of the "Eulogy" portion of the book. He was a close friend to Brother Lawrence and, at the request of others, published his eulogy along with four conversations he had with Brother Lawrence and sixteen letters from Brother Lawrence to various individuals (Reverend Mother N {for "name"}, Reverend Father N, and Madame N). Also included in the compilation are Spiritual Maxims that condense his fundamental spiritual principles and teachings. Included in The Paraclete Press's edition of this classic is a memoir from the Abbe de Beaufort entitled "Brother Lawrence's Way of Life", published around two years after his Eulogy and recorded conversations. Overall, The Paraclete Press's edition is a good compilation and translation (by Robert Edmonson) of this classic work.

The title of the book speaks volumes as to what the book is about. Brother Lawrence was a very practical man whose struggles were common ones that we can all relate to. His sincere honesty (and that of the Abbe) is apparent throughout and his spirituality is simple to understand. Application, however, may not be so simple at first, but with disciplined PRACTICE one can turn one's life into a perpetual prayer to God. Remember, prayer is more than just words on the lips (although that is important too!); it is a humble attitude of a heart that has abandoned itself to the God of grace! Whatever the task is at hand (including such a mundane task as washing dishes like Brother Lawrence), one can offer it up to God in an act of love and worship. Everything one does becomes sanctified as one lives unto God and follows the Holy Spirit's leading. Two wonderful companion volumes to this book are "Abandonment to Divine Providence" by Jean-Pierre de Caussade (one of my favorites!) and the Eastern Orthodox classic "The Way of a Pilgrim" by an anonymous Russian pilgrim. The former beautifully expounds on the same principles of Brother Lawrence's book and the latter reflects that same concern to "pray without ceasing" which is what practicing the presence of God is all about.

71 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want a closer relationship with God? Start here., January 26, 1998

By 

A. Jennerjahn "follower of Jesus" (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Practicing His Presence (The Library of Spiritual Classics, Volume 1) (Paperback)

You have probably heard of The Practice of the Presence of God, a book so popular that it has been continuously in print for the past 300 years. I suspect, however, that more people buy it than actually read it. This version has been edited into modern language, to make it easier to read, and has been paired with the letters of Frank Laubach, a missionary, writer, and friend of God, who died in 1970. The Laubach letters gripped my heart with a sense of hope, and the possibility that I too could have a relationship with God, where I was continually aware of His presence. Brother Lawrence's letters are powerful, but are also more difficult to hold on to, especially the sections about suffering. I expect that my understanding will increase as I re-read them in the future.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Challenge to All Christians, August 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Practicing His Presence (The Library of Spiritual Classics, Volume 1) (Paperback)

I am amazed at how such a simple book can issue such an amazing challenge. At first, I thought "Spending all of my time thinking about God? Is that possible? Is it even something I would want to do?" After reading this book, I am not only convinced that it is something we need to strive towards, but that it is also desireable as well! I first read this book during the most difficult period of my life. During that time I found myself, quite involuntarily, brooding and thinking about my problems to the point where I was severely depressed. However, I have found that by actually practicing his presence, things have changed. I know God better now...and I am excited about the prospect of all that I have yet to learn about him. This book is not complex. It has a simple premise: that of learning to think about Jesus as often as you can. It, however, doesn't come without a price...but it's worth it.