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Practicing the Presence of God: Learn to Live Moment-by-Moment (Christian Classics for Today)

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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.

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.

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.

by practicing His presence, by trying to constantly connect/converse with God, laubach and brother lawrence discover what the christian life is all about- knowing God personally and resting in what we find. reading about their trek toward the heart of God led me to reexamine mine. after reading it, i was convinced that, like brother lawrence, i would be able to connect with God at least once a minute. unfortunately, i was amazingly far from my goal. yet, the more i practice, the closer i get. as i get closer, i know God better, and the happiness, peace, and effectiveness in my life and ministry that have resulted are amazing. in turn, i have learned that i don't know God nearly as well as i thought; and, if i simply spend more time with him in my thoughts, i will know him better and flourish because of it.

This book is AWESOME. It totally inspired me. Frank Laubach's part especially showed me that I needed to seriously give God more time. In reading about these two people's journey's closer to God, I was able to see that I needed to do the same thing. In calling God to mind as often as possible, your whole spirit changes. You become more willing and eager to live your ALL for Him, just as He wishes. This book can help you find more ways to bring God into your life, and give you examples of the great faith God gives to those who try and practice this; His presence.

Other than the Bible, this book has had the greatest influence upon my life! I began reading Brother Lawrence's book about twenty years ago and was thrilled to find this version ten years later which combines his experience with that of Frank Laubach's. This simple but profound message of being God's friend has taken years to sink into my heart but has become more precious with each passing year. If you are hungry to know God more intimately, this is the book for you!

A wonderfully thought provoking book. It should be required reading for every Christian. If you have ever read Charles Sheldon's book "In His Steps" and said, "Boy that was neat...what if we really did ask ourselves 'What Would Jesus Do' instead of just wearing a bracelet" well here is the story of two real people who strived to do just that.

As Christians we are called to strive to be more and more like Christ (sanctification) and this book sets up a fine example of how that can be achieved. Unlike a how to book this book shows you that growing in the knowledge of God is a process that does not happen over night. I highly recomend this book. Just one word of caution...do not read this book with the idea that it could never happen today. It will only never happen if we don't make the attempt. May we all joing Brother Lawarenc and Frank in the Practice of HIS Presencs!

This book is meaty, easy and short. Brother Lawrence showed me how to live in the face of God with joy in everyday tasks. Drudgery become joy when viewed with his eyes and with God's eyes. Loved this book, it is one I will never, never forget, and will always treasure.

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.

This is a lovely and well designed book that leads the reader into a special appreciation of what becomes of simple presence and prayer to God. Brother Lawrence is an uncomplicated man who performs work in the kitchen and finds a relationship with God through his constant prayer life. Like an unveiling of some mystery that once displayed is no mystery, "The Practice of the Presence of God" is both story and book of instruction for the seeker. The version of the book published by Paraclete Press of Brewster, Massachussets "...includes his Spiritual Maxims, biographical material, and the familiar letters and conversations."

This book is a classic and the version here is part of a series called "Christian Classics." If in your lifetime, and that's a big statement, you have time for a lovely book that you can say "I read," and one which you will enjoy for its faith and simplicity of heart, read this book. It is a lovely set of writings--not so hard to read.

Under the section, towards the end of this well translated book (translated by Robert J. Edmonson) I found a good quote from the section, "The Means of Acquiring the Presence of God:" "As time and much labor are necessary to acquire this practice, we must not be discouraged when we fail in it, because the habit is formed only with difficulty; but when it is formed, everything we do we will do with pleasure." So this charming man from the past, who lived in the presence of God, tells us that living in God's presence is a pleasure.

Is this practice a matter of the mind and even the will. Apparently, it takes some discipline and mostly a kind of keen desire, a yearning for the Lord. It is within ones reach in this modern world. A word of advice from the "Fourth Conversation, November 25, 1667:" "He told me that its essence is renouncing once and for all everyting we recognize as not tending toward God, in order to accustom ourselves to the continual conversation with Him without a lot of head knowledge." The reader is instructed to recognize God's intimate presence "within us and speak to Him every moment..." One asks for God's help in this.

There is a Eulogy for Brother Lawrence in the book, and it quotes Brother Lawrence as having said in his lifetime, "O faith! O faith! O admirable virtue that illuminates the spirit of man..." One learns about faith in this book, and in its simplicity and directness of manner the reader can be mislead that Brother Lawrence act was no large feat, but it was in reality a great thing and gift from God that many would yearn to achieve, and most of us can build into our lives.

Should we, too, endeavor on this path for ongoing, continual conversation with God, we must be prepared to set aside many earthly conversations. "He told me that we must establish ourselves in the presence of God by continually conversing with him. It is a shameful thing to break off our conversation with Him in order to engage in trifling or foolish talk." Remember, Brother Lawrence was a monk, so this kind of advice and way of life is more common to him as a monk than it would be to a lay person in the world. I say again, though one may take this as a how-to book, I recommend it as a lovely and charming Christian Classic that helps in prayer life and in relationship to God. As a result of reading this book, I have tried to spend more time in my waking hours in conversation with God.

Let us profit from Brother Lawrence's views, as one correspondent of his has said to a colleague. Let us allow this monk from the past to bring us in our modern world to a closer and even better relationship because of conversation with God. This is more than talk, this is going on with a discussion with the Lord, an opening of the heart, a reaching out, a willingness to let God into our lives. There is an author's message here in the book. One of those messages is this note about the practice, that lends itself to encouragement: "He confessed nonetheless that he had difficulty with this way of life at first and that he used to go for considerable lengths of time without remembering the presence of God..." My thought about this is to perservere.

--Peter Menkin