The Practice of the Presence of God & The Way of Perfection (Nelson's Royal Classics) [Hardcover]

Brother Lawrence (Author), Teresa of Avila (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1999

The premier line of Classic literature from the greatest Christian authors. The finest in quality and value.

Brother Lawrence decided that he needed to concentrate on a simple idea: loving God in whatever he did. This book is a record of the conversations and letters exchanged between Brother Lawrence and people in his community, who came to him for advice once they noticed his passionate living for God.

Although St. teresa of Avila lived and wrote almost four centuries ago, her superbly inspiring classic on the practice of prayer is as fresh and meaningful today as it was when she first wrote it. The Way of Perfection is a practical guide to prayer setting forth the Saint's counsels and directives for the attainment of spiritual perfection.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785242511
• ISBN-13: 978-0785242512
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,250,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFULL, August 27, 2000

By 

grey1066 (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Practice of the Presence of God & The Way of Perfection (Nelson's Royal Classics) (Hardcover)

I'm not given to gushing, but i must do so for the Practice of the Presence of God. Lawrence is simple and straight forward about seeking an awareness of God's presence. Even more practical than St. Teresa's writings (which is saying a lot), Lawrence explains that "pleasures" or "spiritual consolations" (to use Teresa's term) are all well and good, but that these are not the REASON for seeking the presence. Rather the awareness of the presence IS one's reward. It is not to make you a better person or more just, etc. It simply is to give you an awareness of God, which nothing can then take away from you.

Excellent read!!

3 of 3 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 and The Way Of Perfection (Nelson's Royal Classic) (Hardcover)

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 !

5.0 out of 5 stars Brother Lawrence/Treasa of Avila, January 12, 2012

By 

TMR (ARIZONA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Practice of the Presence of God & The Way of Perfection (Nelson's Royal Classics) (Hardcover)

Love the book. I found this one exceptionally nice. Attractive cover. Easy-to-read print. Good choice for anyone looking to re-read or read this book. Treasa of Avila's book a nice bonus!