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    The Practice of the Presence of God
    The Practice of the Presence of God
    The Practice of the Presence of God
    Ebook48 pages50 minutes

    The Practice of the Presence of God

    By Brother Lawrence

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    About this ebook

    The Practice of the Presence of God is a text compiled by Father Joseph de Beaufort of the wisdom and teachings of Brother Lawrence, a 17th century Carmelite monk.
    It is a collection of his letters, and records made, by other participants in them, of his conversations. A constant theme is the development of an awareness of the presence of God.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBooklassic
    Release dateJun 22, 2015
    ISBN9789635246038

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    Reviews for The Practice of the Presence of God

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    440 ratings19 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Brother Lawrence is one of my new heros now. a must read for any Christian with a passion for learning.
    • 4/5
      Where I got the book: purchased on the Nook (yes, it does happen).I'm not really sure what to say about this little book. I guess I was expecting some great revelation about how to be a better Christian but the basic message here is "practice the presence of God every day." Hmmm. That's a bit like opening a book and finding written inside, "This is a book. Read it." Don't get me wrong, Brother Lawrence sounds like a great guy. In fact the book is part memoir, part biography, part letters and so on. It's a collection of documents by and about Brother Lawrence who, from the sound of it, was a genuinely humble, dedicated follower of Christ. I think this book may inspire some people; it just didn't inspire me, and probably that's indicative of my own spiritual status (low on the scale). I know I SHOULD practice the presence of God; I'm not sure HOW, and maybe it's one of those things like riding a bike; you try until you get it, and once you get it you don't know how you were ever not able to do it.Maybe I should revisit this one in ten years' time. Will there still be a Nook, I wonder?
    • 5/5
      It is a very nice little book. Should be read slow And quietly.
    • 3/5
      A very short primer by a lay Carmelite brother from the 1600's on finding joy in all things through the sweet surrender to Divine Will. Not a how-to but a what-can-be-accomplished, leading to the "unclouded vision" of the Creator.

      Composed of letters, spiritual maxims, and a character study by a contemporary.

      "Believe me, count as lost each day you have not used in loving God."
    • 5/5
      Simple yet profound, a challenge to think differently.
    • 4/5
      I am left speechless as we can walk with the presence of God in all our comings and goings daily moment by moment.
    • 3/5
      Need to read again to take it all in. How I would love to live that way with God ever-present in my thoughts, but I struggle with the actual practice.
    • 4/5
      The letters and accounts of a Brother who spent a large part of his life in the kitchens at a monastery. The letters tell of his day to day walk with God and their constant conversations.I found this book really uplifting and helpful
    • 5/5
      This is the second best book I have ever read in my life. It is simple and clear, and beautifully honest. The raw journal writings of the two men are life changing.
    • 5/5
      After reading the Ignatian spirituality, I am amazed to see that this book lined up with the same message, "The Presence of God."

      The more I get close with Christ, the deeper I see my wickedness.
      I think, the message which this book taught me was that during tough times, I would to ask God to love him more than ever. The struggle would be real, but to love him during that time? Not easy

      We are created to love him, every moment, at times we wander off. It is our duty to love him with all our heart.

      I see God working in subtle things in my life, every day. I remember, I borrowed an umbrella from a retired professor on my campus. I was worried how I was going to find him again but to my surprise, he just appeared right infront of me at that second, when I was walking inside a building.

      Let us try to grow closer with the Lord and rely on him each moment.
      Love is the most important quality, without love mortification of the sins wouldn't be efficious.

      We must study ever to regard God and his Glory in all that we do, that is the end - Brother Lawrence
    • 4/5
      Brother Lawrence is a wonderful example of a person who has learned to soley focus on God and take great pleasure in His presence. I highly question whether he would have achieved such singularity of mind had he lived with a wife and children in today's world. Never-the-less, his wisdom and lessons are something to strive for.
    • 5/5
      This is a Christian classic that I revisit every few years. I first discovered it as an undergraduate student because a fellow student enjoyed it immensely. In a series of conversations and letters, Brother Lawrence shows the importance of remembering that God is always with you and acting like He is by conversing with Him constantly. Any book that makes me want to read it as often as this slim volume has over the years is a 5 star read!
    • 1/5
      "I recommend to you that you do the thing that I am thinking of in my mind right now. Do it and you will be rewarded."That's all that ever get's said. What the thing in Lawrence's mind is, we are never told. Which is of course typical of Christianity: at the end of the day it is whatever you make it.Poor man.
    • 4/5
      A very short devotional classic that reminds one of the importance of having God in your thoughts during your normal daily activities. That we have a tendency to break up our lives in sacred and secular activities - but God is a constant presence and should be recognised in everything we do - There is a lot to ponder upon in these concise reflections.
    • 5/5
      A classic devotional work. What I like best about it is that he is a struggler, and he is not averse to explaining that he struggles and fumbles both with spiritual things, and with natural things.
    • 4/5
      This book was good but repetitive. Sound advice on how to be in Gods presence. Slow read.
    • 3/5
      I actually read this online and am not sure it was the whole text. Definitely an interesting view on daily Christian experience by a monk.
    • 5/5
      This book is one of the most powerful prayer books I've ever read. Brother Laurence opened my eyes on what prayer actually is and is not. In one part of the book, he shares that after working on this "practice of the presence of God", he often felt as close to Jesus doing the dishes as he did in the chapel - for Him, the work of our lives is to be done in total union with Jesus Christ. A life changing read for sure.
    • 5/5
      One of the best Christian books I have read in a long time. Brother Lawrence's faith and guidance is a blessing. If you want to learn how to stay in the presence of God, read this book.

    Book preview

    The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence

    him.

    Second Conversation

    Love the motive of all. * Once in fear, now in joy. * Diligence and love. Simplicity the key to Divine assistance. * Business abroad as at home. * times of prayer and self-mortification not essential for the practice. * All scruples brought to God.

    That he had always been governed by love, without selfish views; and that having resolved to make the love of GOD the end of all his actions, he had found reasons to be well satisfied with his method. That he was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of GOD, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts.

    That he had been long troubled in mind from a certain belief that he should be damned; that all the men in the world could not have persuaded him to the contrary; but that he had thus reasoned with himself about it: I did not engage in a religious life but for the love of GOD, and I have endeavoured to act only for Him; whatever becomes of me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the love of GOD. I shall have this good at least, that till death I shall have done all that is in me to love Him. That this trouble of mind had lasted four years; during which time he had suffered much.

    That since that time he had passed his life in perfect liberty and continual joy. That he placed his sins betwixt him and GOD, as it were, to tell Him that he did not deserve His favours, but that GOD still continued to bestow them in abundance.

    That in order to form a habit of conversing with GOD continually, and referring all we do to Him; we must at first apply to Him with some diligence: but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any

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