The Practice of the Presence of God: Writings and Conversations [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (Author), Salvatore Sciurba (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1994

By Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, OCD, edited by Conrad De Meester, OCD, translated from the critical edition by Salvatore Sciurba, OCD, with an preface by Gerald E. May, Ph.D. Only English translation of the French critical edition, this volume includes a general introduction, bibliography, and testimonies about Brother Lawrence by those who knew him.
The third centenary of the death of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection inspired the Belgian Discalced Carmelite Conrad De Meester to present this new critical edition of Brother Lawrence's classic on the Practice of the Presence of God, including all of his letters, maxims, and conversations. This book also contains a detailed general introduction to the life and works of Brother Lawrence, as well as the testimonies of his biographer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This new edition is helpful to the average reader because it situates Lawrence…within the historical context of his times. But its greatest benefit for such readers is that it provides them with a fresh, readable translation of a classic of Christian literature. --Wendy M. Wright, Weavings

This faithfully translated new edition is the most complete and comprehensive text on Brother Lawrence available. --Gerald E. May, M.D., from the Foreword

...'[This book] has opened up the personal interconnections within the movement as never before.' --unknown

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Ics Pubns; Critical edition (December 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935216219
• ISBN-13: 978-0935216219
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Challanging Simplicity, October 27, 2000

By 

Michael A. Santangelo (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice of the Presence of God: Writings and Conversations (Paperback)

The challange of Br. Lawrence's spirituality is its simplicity. The reader is presented with a common sense approach to the spiritual life the carries a great challange. The idea of carrying on an on going conversation with God wherever we find ourselves is the heart of this spirituality. The challange comes in when we attempt this in a world filled with distractions. This particular translation gives the reader more insight into the living out of "the Practice of the Presence of God." I find it a good source for those seeking a way to draw clser to God.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This little book changed my life forever!, May 25, 2004

By 

Christiana Washington (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practice of the Presence of God: Writings and Conversations (Paperback)

I realized how lacking in trust my Christian faith was until I read this book and began truly practicing the presence of God. The remedy for every anxiety is contained in the Bible and this book. As an anxious person by nature, I was calmed, comforted, and encouraged by this book. I own a copy and refer to it weekly for strength, insight, and reminders that God loves us deeply and wishes to be united with us at all times, in all the tasks we are obligated to fulfill. Nothing is too small for the Lord and our time is made holy when it is spent communing with Him and His people.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rare gem (spirituality), April 30, 2006

By 

Gabriel E. Borlean (Odense, Denmark - birthtown of fairytale-writer H.C. Andersen) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practice of the Presence of God: Writings and Conversations (Paperback)

A rare gem (spirituality)

As a "follower of Christ" (Christian) who considers himself an Evangelical Protestant, this little devotional book will hold a special place in my library and my heart. For all Christian believers, the richness and power of Brother Lawrence's life's witness and words are a fountain of Truth, a treasure that is as elegant (spiritually) as it is simple. For the non-believers, I am afraid that reading this booklet (a spiritual treasure in disguise) will just confirm St. Paul the Apostles's words that "the message of the cross is ... foolishness to the Gentiles" (1 Corinthians. 1:18, 23 and 2:14).

The only way to do justice to this booklet is to quote from it and let you get a taste of it ...

This is a unique biography because it is not compiled by the Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (birth name Nicholas Herman but known by his monastic name) but by the ones around his life in 17th century France. Thus one learns very little about the beginnings of his life but very much about his godly lifestyle in the last 30 years of life of bliss (presence of God in his heart) and suffering (3 physical and debilitating ailments).

We learn about this Spirit-filled vessel in God's vineyard - Brother Lawrence, by reading the Eulogy of the abbot of Lawrence's Christian community, 4 short notes of his conversations with his spiritual father - Abb? de Beaufort, 16 very short letters of spiritual advice and encouragement Brother Lawrence wrote to friends and seekers, a manuscript found at his death called "Spiritual Maxims" and a memoir of a leader in the church in France.

The followings are a selection of the many highlights and underlined phrases and sentences for this book:

"Busy yourself with keeping your mind in the presence of the Lord."

"My most normal habit is to simply keep my attention on God, and to be generally and lovingly aware of Him."

"I occupy myself solely with keeping my attention on God and by being generally and lovingly aware of Him."

"We have an infinitely good God who knows what we need."

"Console yourself with the One who keeps you fastened to the cross."

"We should love our friends, but without prejudicing the love of God which must be first."

"Think often about Him; worship Him without ceasing. Life and die with Him. This is the beautiful call in the life of a Christian."

"...we shuld love one another through our words of counsel and even more through our good examples."

"...our only business in this life is to please God. ... my little progress in the path of perfection."

"I applied myself to practicing the presence of God ... Doing this gave me such a high esteem for God that faith alone was capable of satisfying me."

"A devout woman told me that the spiritual life is a life of grace that begins with service fear, increases through the hope of eternal life, and is consumated by pure love."

MY PRAYER: May we all experience God's love, which truly can consume all other passions, and be filled with His grace which will empower us to truly love our neighbors (Christian and non-Christian) as ourselves. This is my life goal !