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The Practice of the Presence of God

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The Practice of the Presence of God

by: Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Donald E. Demaray

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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 248.482
EAN: 9780818907708
ISBN: 0818907703
Label: Alba House
Manufacturer: Alba House
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 82
Publication Date: April 22, 1997
Publisher: Alba House
Studio: Alba House

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
This work contains letters, ways and spiritual principles of Brother Lawrence, the 17th-century French monk who in his monastery kitchen discovered an overwhelming delight in God's presence.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- The best I've evr come across
Many versions of this book have been printed but, in terms of ease of reading and getting to the core of its material this is the best copy that I have come across. I hope and pray that this edition will be available for many years to come - Hint to the publishers!

Rating:

- The Missing Piece of Our Spirituality
It's nice to see a variety of new editions of The Practice of the Presence of God out there and that this little book is readily available. This Paraclete edition has some materials in addition to the Conversations and Letters found in all editions and may, therefore, be worth getting for those who want more from and about Brother Lawrence.

To me, practicing the presence of God is the missing part of the life of prayer and worship in the lives of many Christians. This little book is a basically a commentary on these 3 words from 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "pray without ceasing." Brother Lawrence was able to achieve this by continually turning to God throughout the day as he worked in a kitchen and by carrying on a familiar conversation with God before, during, and after work.

The main part of the book is divided into Sections: 4 Conversations and 15 Letters. Personally, I found the letters more compact and helpful. This particular edition also includes A Eulogy of Brother Lawrence, Spiritual Maxims, and Brother Lawrence's Way of Life, all of which are helpful additions. Throughout, Brother Lawrence communicates some profound truths about how to pray without ceasing.

Here are just a few of his insights:
The foundation of the spiritual life in him had been "a high notion and esteem of God."

"We should establish ourselves in a sense of God's presence by continually conversing with Him."

"We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity."

"The most excellent method he had found of going to God was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and (so far as we are capable) purely for the love of God."

"That we ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed."

Here are some of the blessings that have come from Practicing the Presence of God in my own life:
1. I'm more ready to respond with peace, grace, and love to any situation.
2. It fills in all the empty spaces in a life of worship, service, and prayer.
3. It means I'm never very far from God and can't drift very far.
4. If I don't have time for a more extensive time with God during the day it's O.K. because I've been with Him all along.

A few cautions are in order. While practicing the presence of God as Brother Lawrence describes is a wonderful and potent blessing to all who practice it, the devotional life must also be fed by specific prayers, Scripture, and the worship of the Church. Brother Lawrence never speaks of the Scriptures, which is somewhat odd. Practicing the presence of God is best seen to be like breathing. It's what sustains us moment by moment in God, but there are many other things we must do to have life as well.

Another concern is that Brother Lawrence makes the practicing of the presence of God sound very easy. Maybe it was for him, but it is not for most of us. I wish he had included more practical and specific advice about what to think and pray when turning to God, and how to move step by step towards a life where one is truly practicing the presence of God day by day. (In one of the Conversations, some of his method is revealed.)

In spite of these few concerns, The Practice of the Presence of God will enrich your life and devotion to God if you meditate on what Brother Lawrence says and begin practicing it. One of the greatest benefits of Brother Lawrence's little book is precisely that it's little. Because of its relative brevity, a lot more of us are likely to read it and apply it.

Rating:

- Nice book-relevant after 300 years!
Much to recommend about this simple, short book. Especially relevant to those looking for meaning in seemingly unimportant work, and those looking for a simple way to redefine a relationship with their higher power.

Rating:

- Light reading with a heavy message.
This book is easy reading. The words are easy to understand, and the concepts behind the words that Bro. Lawrence is trying to convey are easy to understand, from a strictly cognitive point of view. But, to give these words life by putting them into action is not so easy. Like surgery, anyone can read textbooks on the subject, but putting it to effective use takes guidance, practice and time. Bro. Lawrence knows this, and is very patient and understanding in his words.

Because there is so much meaning packed into any given string of three or four words, I find myself pausing, and re-reading short passages as many as ten times before proceeding. The last three books I've read have been "the practice of the presence of God." I'm now on my forth reading. It takes me about a week to read this one, short, book simply because I find it useful to ruminate over so much of it.

I bought an additional five copies to give to family and friends whom I know will be receptive to the message of this book. Comparing this version of "the practice of the presence of God" with others, it is very similar is length and content.

Rating:

- Incredible Blessing
Every believer should read this book. It is deeply moving and encouraging to read about someone who learned how to and practiced Jesus command to abide in Him. It feels like brother Lawrence is right in the room with you having a conversation with you while you're reading.

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