The Practice of the Presence of God

by Brother Lawrence

the soul that seeks the companionship of God may find Him.

That many do not advance in the Christian progress because they stick in penances and particular exercises, while they neglect the love of God, which is the end.

But those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep.

You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.

It is not necessary for being with God to be always at church. We may make an oratory of our heart wherein to retire from time to time to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with God, some more, some less. He knows what we can do.

One does not become holy all at once.

Father of mercies, who is always ready to receive us affectionately.

He is the Father of the afflicted, always ready to help us. He loves us infinitely, more than we imagine.

“All things are possible to him who believes, they are less difficult to him who hopes, they are easier to him who loves, and still more easy to him who practices and perseveres in these three virtues.” —BROTHER LAWRENCE

Such was his practice, throughout life, using things seen to lead him up to the Unseen Eternal.

for GOD regards not the greatness of the work, but the love which prompts it.

The Creator is the great teacher of Truth.