The newly translated version of the seventeenth-century spiritual classic. Beautifully rendered and divinely inspirational, this devotional masterp...
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May 18, 2011
booklady
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The Practice of the Presence of God is a little gem. But it is also a book you have to be receptive to appreciate. Without this requisite receptivity, its pearls of wisdom would be wasted. But with the right frame of mind and heart, it is the perfect book.
Perfect in that while it can be read in one hour; mastery of its central concept requires a lifetime. Well, at least for this soul ... and a very long lifetime at that. And I write that without the least trace of humility, remorse More...
Perfect in that while it can be read in one hour; mastery of its central concept requires a lifetime. Well, at least for this soul ... and a very long lifetime at that. And I write that without the least trace of humility, remorse More...
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Jan 14, 2009
Rhonda
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The major barrier to this book is the slightly stilted language. I have recommended this to several people and they cannot get past this, essentially missing the book's message. If nothing else this makes me understand why the King James Bible remains obtuse for many.
Brother Lawrence isn’t a famous man and he didn't do anything that should make us place him on a pedestal in the social-historical scheme of things. However, what this man brings to understanding God on a daily basis, More...
Brother Lawrence isn’t a famous man and he didn't do anything that should make us place him on a pedestal in the social-historical scheme of things. However, what this man brings to understanding God on a daily basis, More...
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Jun 09, 2008
Ebookwormy
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This is an excellent and meditative work. Many of have heard of Brother Lawrence's quote about peeling potatoes to the glory of God. This book is a collection of his letters dealing with the topic of practicing God's presence.
This is a short but profound read. Good stuff for mothers in a hurry who want to ponder a connection with God in the midst of busy days; also palatable for people going through a hard time to read little bits at a time and absorb them without charging through it More...
This is a short but profound read. Good stuff for mothers in a hurry who want to ponder a connection with God in the midst of busy days; also palatable for people going through a hard time to read little bits at a time and absorb them without charging through it More...
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Mar 24, 2009
Kevin
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This book will help you acknowledge and realize the presence of God more in your daily life. He was a man who would "pray without ceasing." He truly had a heart for the Lord, and reading this book will help you have the same. Here is what was said about Brother Lawrence:
• So, likewise, in his business in the kitchen (to which he had naturally a great aversion), having accustomed himself to do everything there for the love of GOD, and with prayer, upon all occasi More...
• So, likewise, in his business in the kitchen (to which he had naturally a great aversion), having accustomed himself to do everything there for the love of GOD, and with prayer, upon all occasi More...
Nov 22, 2010
Christopher
rated it: 
Actually, this is more of an author review as I don't take issue with the content of the book, which is highly reccomended, but rather the inconsistent lifestyle of the author.
Here it is:
"Coram Deo": to live "before the face of God" best sums up the message of Brother Lawrence. That even the most mundane tasks can be taken up with glorying in the Lord Jesus.
This is one of those places however where we ought to heed the words of Jesus concer More...
Here it is:
"Coram Deo": to live "before the face of God" best sums up the message of Brother Lawrence. That even the most mundane tasks can be taken up with glorying in the Lord Jesus.
This is one of those places however where we ought to heed the words of Jesus concer More...
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Aug 30, 2010
Justin
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It keeps coming into my mind - how much man would be capable of if his soul were strong in the love of God, if he wanted God as much as he wanted to penetrate the power and glory of God's creation. ~ Dorthy Day, Reflections on the presence of God, p.20
[His:] disposition brought him to so great an unconcern about everything and to so complete a detachment, that it was near to the freedom of the Blessed... Nothing could hold him to earth; his vision was not bounded by time from long cont More...
[His:] disposition brought him to so great an unconcern about everything and to so complete a detachment, that it was near to the freedom of the Blessed... Nothing could hold him to earth; his vision was not bounded by time from long cont More...
Aug 09, 2010
Frank
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This is a very old classic and although known by many people I wonder how many can apply his teaching. The book consists of some writings about Brother Lawrence and his practice of the presence of God and also letters written by him dealing with the practice he employed for 40 years or so as a monk. The book and practice is very simple which means it is very hard to do. You can feel the strength of his practice in every line he writes and agree with him 100% but doing it is not all that easy. Br
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Apr 20, 2009
Art
rated it:
Brother Lawrence is a 17th century Carmelite monk who engaged in a near continual conversation with God. Even while he was doing seemingly menial tasks of while he was sick, he had a constant consciousness of the presence of God.
This book is a collection of conversations with him and letters from him that describe and prescribe his daily inner and external dialogue with God.
I learned from brother Lawrence a couple of ways to sustain the dialogue. One thing I learned was that he More...
This book is a collection of conversations with him and letters from him that describe and prescribe his daily inner and external dialogue with God.
I learned from brother Lawrence a couple of ways to sustain the dialogue. One thing I learned was that he More...
Apr 11, 2010
Steve
rated it:
Amazing. Beautiful, even. I was very moved by this portrait of Brother Lawrence, a simple, unlearned monk who was lame, worked as a cook, talked to God in his heart all day with a "sweet and calm" countenance.
And for all this talk about speaking to God, all this ethereal stuff about spiritually being on Heaven while the body is on earth, this is one of the most practical books I've ever read. Brother Lawrence doesn't speak in poetry; rather, in his simple, rural peasant wa More...
And for all this talk about speaking to God, all this ethereal stuff about spiritually being on Heaven while the body is on earth, this is one of the most practical books I've ever read. Brother Lawrence doesn't speak in poetry; rather, in his simple, rural peasant wa More...
Nov 16, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
Brother Lawrence was a Catholic monk, so he did some things that I don't agree are Biblical (like suppressing his outward expression of the joy he felt in God and deliberately increasing his suffering from a physical problem so that he could suffer for his sins). He also never quoted Scripture to support his points (though often there was Scripture he could have used). However, overall, the book was God-focused and had some good insights.
Due to the style of writing, it often took som More...
Due to the style of writing, it often took som More...
Oct 29, 2009
Natalie
rated it:
To be honest, the only reason I read this book is because it was included in the same volume as the afore-mentioned book on prayer by Andrew Murray. However, I found it to be a perfect continuation of the primary thing God has really been impressing upon my heart this year – the importance of walking in the Spirit and performing even the most mundane duties to His glory. I loved this thought that Brother Lawrence shares, “That in order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and refe
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Feb 25, 2008
Cameron
rated it:
A simple reminder that God is not only the means of our spiritual life and salvation, but the end as well. Brother Lawrence believed that we must practice God's presence, knowing that He is always much nearer than we think (living in the chapel of our heart), and love Him more than the blessings He gives and the comfort He provides.
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Sep 18, 2011
Justin
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I read this book because I've heard good things about Brother Lawrence, but never found anything out for myself. Apparently this book was never intended to be a book by him. It was just a compliation of letters that he wrote to other Christians about practicing the presence of God, hence the title.
As most of the writings were made during the 1600s and translated from French the language is different from my contemporary English tongue, but it was fairly easy to understand (employ a More...
As most of the writings were made during the 1600s and translated from French the language is different from my contemporary English tongue, but it was fairly easy to understand (employ a More...
Feb 12, 2012
Jen
rated it:
Somewhere on my desk I have the beginnings of the review I wanted to write for this from a week or so ago. Of course, judging by the state of my desk, I may very well have the answers to every question in the universe and never be able to find them. Spring break entry #231 on the To-Do List: consolidate paper clutter on desk.
I'm sure whatever I said in my preliminary writing was brilliant, but absent that, I have to say that this is another book that made me somewhat dislike my own react More...
I'm sure whatever I said in my preliminary writing was brilliant, but absent that, I have to say that this is another book that made me somewhat dislike my own react More...
Jul 19, 2010
LGayle
rated it:
This is another book recommended to me by a friend, several actually. I had the opportunity to read it, rather as a devotional, in 2005. In 2009 I found it in a box of other books I might consider reading, fit it in my purse, and have been mining a nugget or two as I am waiting - wherever and whenever that may be. Brother Lawrence, as other mystics, is beyond easy description, and his life, even if one may provide a simple description, is outside the scope of our complex and hurried existence
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May 31, 2009
Carolyn
rated it:
A devotional/testimonial from the 1600s - Repetitious but so short (60pp) and insightful that it was well worth reading.
A few favorite lines:
1) "Knowing that God can remedy the mischiefs they do whenever he pleases, he does not let the sins of this world trouble him."
2) "He is pleased when he can perform the lowliest task, such as picking up a piece of straw from the ground, for no other reason except for the love of God"
3) "We often stop t More...
A few favorite lines:
1) "Knowing that God can remedy the mischiefs they do whenever he pleases, he does not let the sins of this world trouble him."
2) "He is pleased when he can perform the lowliest task, such as picking up a piece of straw from the ground, for no other reason except for the love of God"
3) "We often stop t More...
Oct 06, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
I absolutely loved this book! I was given it to borrow from a friend and when I saw the size of it I figured I'd have it done in an afternoon. My friend cautioned me to take my time, and I did, reading every page with mindfulness, catching bits of truths and insights not only on every page but within every sentence. This is the type of book that can be transforming depending upon the receptiveness of the reader. It is possible to experience God in the present moment, throughout one's day, living
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Feb 06, 2011
Jean
rated it:
The modern translation of this book is one of my all-time favorite books. Brother Lawrence had such a beautiful, genuine faith that is not beyond the reach of anyone. While we've all been inspired by great men and women of faith who have done huge things (think Hudson Taylor, Cori ten Boom...), Brother Lawrence was more like one of us, a humble - not even very talented - kitchen worker in a monastery, and yet his very present faith in God has transformed lives hundreds of years after he lived.
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Dec 10, 2008
John
rated it:
' Brother Andrew' was a monk in a Carmelite monastery in the 1600's.
As a cook for the brothers, his days were spent in the fast paced enviroment of the kitchen, where the noise and activity level were always at a peak.
This was a total opposite to the lives of the other brother monks, who spend the bulk of their time in silent solitude, meditating on God.
Brother Andrew's insights into the attitudes and practices that allow one to live a contemplitive life, even in the m More...
As a cook for the brothers, his days were spent in the fast paced enviroment of the kitchen, where the noise and activity level were always at a peak.
This was a total opposite to the lives of the other brother monks, who spend the bulk of their time in silent solitude, meditating on God.
Brother Andrew's insights into the attitudes and practices that allow one to live a contemplitive life, even in the m More...
Dec 21, 2011
Jeremy D. Goodwyne
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book, read it in an afternoon. I file it in there with other monastic writings where the ethereal monk's practical wisdom is gnostic and he's just transcended the material realm in communion with the spiritual Godhead. But, as an ideal, the notion of living every moment coram Deo is really helpful for the Christian, because it just is. There is not a lot of validation of suffering and tension, and the already/not yet nature of living simil justus et peccator. But, take the
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Dec 06, 2011
Jay
rated it:
So on point. This little book speaks right to the heart of anyone TRULY loving Jesus and seeking to trust Christ with all that they are. We are called to love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Where is our mind throughout the day?
This book speaks of the joy we can receive from the Lord now. We need not wait until our time in the body passes in order to experience the greatness that is the presence of Christ. I think (as the point is driven later in th More...
This book speaks of the joy we can receive from the Lord now. We need not wait until our time in the body passes in order to experience the greatness that is the presence of Christ. I think (as the point is driven later in th More...
Aug 26, 2011
Penny
rated it:
A simple book by a simple man in the best sense of the word. Brother Lawrence was a comparatively uneducated man 3 centuries ago whose sense of the presence of God permeated his whole life. Everything he undertook - even peeling potatoes - was for the love and the greater glory of God! It is a book which is read in an hour but takes a life time to understand. He cuts to the most central questions with little argument just simple faith. I will however have to reread this many times to unders
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Feb 01, 2012
I found this book in a bathroom near the beach one day.
Around that day, I was going through a very tumultuous time in my life; and when things go nuts and I need to clear my mind I go to the beach. I asked GOD to help me figure out what to do with my life. I thought and prayed and hoped for an answer. I don't even know if I believe in it but I've seen other people do it, so I gave it my best and left. Then I found this book in the bathroom and thought "Huh.. can this be an answer? More...
Around that day, I was going through a very tumultuous time in my life; and when things go nuts and I need to clear my mind I go to the beach. I asked GOD to help me figure out what to do with my life. I thought and prayed and hoped for an answer. I don't even know if I believe in it but I've seen other people do it, so I gave it my best and left. Then I found this book in the bathroom and thought "Huh.. can this be an answer? More...
Oct 03, 2011
Top Learnings:
1. We also need to be faithful, even in dry periods. It is during those dry spells that God test our love for Him. We shoudl take advantage of those times ot practice our determination and our surrender to Him.
2. Our santification does not depend as much on charing our activities as it does on doing them for God rather than oursleves.
3. It isn't necessary that we stay in church in order to remain in God's presence. We can make our hears per More...
1. We also need to be faithful, even in dry periods. It is during those dry spells that God test our love for Him. We shoudl take advantage of those times ot practice our determination and our surrender to Him.
2. Our santification does not depend as much on charing our activities as it does on doing them for God rather than oursleves.
3. It isn't necessary that we stay in church in order to remain in God's presence. We can make our hears per More...
Sep 28, 2011
Jason
rated it:
In an excerpt from "Brother Lawrence's Way of Life," the Abbé de Beaufort explains how the practices of this simple monk are relevant to all who seek a deeper spiritual life:
Although Brother Lawrence spent his life retired from the world in a monastery, there is still no one who cannot take great profit from what is given here concerning his way of life. He teaches people engaged in the world to turn to God, asking for grace as they fulfill their duties, take care of their businesMore...
Jan 10, 2012
Patrick
rated it:
I feel strange giving a review of a classic text. Things become timeless because they stood the test of reviews, especially negative ones, so what I say doesn't exactly have bearing on what others will see in this book. Still, I had some thoughts on this little book; mostly good, but with a few minor objections.
Brother Lawrence's writings compiled in The Practice of the Presence of God stand as classics because of their simplicity and adherence to basic Christian doctrine and Scrip More...
Brother Lawrence's writings compiled in The Practice of the Presence of God stand as classics because of their simplicity and adherence to basic Christian doctrine and Scrip More...
Nov 17, 2010
Rick
rated it:
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection is, to borrow a phrase, a book for transformation and not merely information. In fact, as far as information goes, this book has only one main idea. Namely, we should live our lives every moment with the realization that God is present with us, and we should lift up our hearts to Him frequently in a spirit of prayer. It’s a painfully obvious principle going back to St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.
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Nov 12, 2008
Rob
rated it:
A powerful little classic about living in constant mindfulness of the presence of God. The title makes it sound like some sort of manual, a step by step process; it's not. In fact, Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite lay-brother who lived in the 17th century, looks upon such strict regimens as second-rate at best when compared with the simple practice of the presence of God. Through personal writings and letters to friends, he speaks of the joy and peace all Christians can attain through simply liv
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Jun 23, 2008
Patty
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Brother Lawrence, born Nicholas Herman in modern day eastern France, spent most of his life as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery. Assigned to the monastery kitchen, amidst tedious chores of cooking and cleaning, Brother Lawrence developed his philosophy of blending spirituality and work.
The gist of Brother Lawrence’s message is a timeless one—the modern world seems to make living a Christian life much more complicated than it need be. For Brother Lawrence, the common and mundane More...
The gist of Brother Lawrence’s message is a timeless one—the modern world seems to make living a Christian life much more complicated than it need be. For Brother Lawrence, the common and mundane More...
Apr 10, 2010
Jason
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Brother Lawrence sets an example that we should all strive for in how we are to perceive the world, our relationship with people, work and ultimately our relationship with God through this simple and short book that includes letters that the Brother wrote to various friends and other things that were collected from him or written about him.
To acknowledge that God is sovereign and that we truly exist and take each breath because God wants us to and that our greatest joy and fulfillment in More...
To acknowledge that God is sovereign and that we truly exist and take each breath because God wants us to and that our greatest joy and fulfillment in More...
