The Practice of the Presence of God

Book excerpt: This devotional classic is a compilation of Brother Lawrence’s letters and recorded conversations from the seventeenth century. Brother Lawrence was a simple French Carmelite lay brother who was able to achieve profound intimacy with God through the most mundane activities. He taught that the highest communion with God is not reserved for extraordinary moments but permeates the very core of our most ordinary days. He spent much of his time in the kitchen of a Paris monastery. He learned that our daily activities and thoughts could be acts of worship, engaging in opportunities to “practice the presence of God” by thinking about and loving God. Also included is Brother Lawrence’s “Spiritual Maxims,” a collection of aphorisms and sayings that summarize his teachings. This timeless spiritual treasure has illuminated the hearts of many who yearn for the awe-inspiring knowledge of the divine presence in a hectic modern world. Features a foreword by Matthew Fox, author of Sheer Joy.