The Practice of the Presence of God

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Hear Brother Lawrence’s story of conversion and his enduring commitment to living every moment in God’s presence. Learn why Brother Lawrence emphasizes sincere faith, joyful resignation, and spiritual attentiveness over rote rituals, offering practical advice for anyone seeking deeper devotion. Whether you’re searching for inspiration in your spiritual practice or want to learn more about Brother Lawrence’s spiritual insights, this audiobook chapter will guide and encourage you on your faith journey.

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[00:00:01] Bryan Entzminger:

First conversation the first time I saw Brother   Lawrence was upon the 3rd of August, 1666.   He told me that God had done him a singular favor in his   conversion at the age of 18. That in the   winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering   that within a little time the leaves would be renewed, and   after that the flowers and fruit would appear, he received a high   view of the providence and power of God, which has never   since been effected from his soul. That this view had   perfectly set him loose from the world and kindled in him such   a love for God that he could not tell whether it had increased   during the more than 40 years he had lived since.  

That he had been footman to M. Faub, the treasurer, and   that he was a great awkward fellow who broke everything.   That he had desired to be received into a monastery, thinking   that he would there be made too smart for his awkwardness and the   faults he should commit and so he should sacrifice to God   his life with its pleasures. But that God had   disappointed him, having met with nothing but satisfaction in that   state. That we should establish ourselves in a   sense of God's presence by continually conversing with him.   That it was a shameful thing to quit his conversation and think of   trifles and fooleries. That we should feed and   nourish our souls with high notions of God, which would yield us   great joy in being devoted to Him. That we   ought to quicken, that is, to enliven our faith. That   it was lamentable that we had so little. And yet instead of taking   faith for the rule of conduct, men amused themselves with   trivial devotions which changed daily. That the way of   faith was the spirit of the Church, and that it was sufficient to   bring us to a high degree of perfection. That we ought to   give ourselves up to God with regard both to things temporal and   spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of   his will, whether he lead us by suffering or by consolation.  

For all would lie equal to a soul truly resigned. That   there needed fidelity in those dryness or insensibilities and   irksomeness in prayer by which God tries our love to him.   That then was the time for us to make good and effectual acts   of resignation, whereof one alone would oftentimes   very much promote our spiritual advancement. That as   for the miseries and sins he heard of daily in the world, he was   far from wondering at them. That, on the contrary, he was surprised   that there were not more, considering the malice sinners were capable of.   That for his part he prayed for them but knowing that God could   remedy the mischiefs they did. When he pleased, he gave himself no   farther trouble. That to arrive at such   resignation as God requires, we should watch attentively   over all the passions which mingle as well in spiritual things   as in those of a grosser nature. That God would give light   concerning those passions to those who truly desire to serve him.  

That if this was my design sincerely to serve God, I   might come to him, Brother Laurence, as often as I pleased.   Without any fear of being troublesome. But if not that,   I ought no more to visit him.