The Practice of the Presence of God: With Spiritual Maxims

by Brother Lawrence

“The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”

Instead, Lawrence focuses on the time of business as the primary opportunity for the Presence of God (it is, after all, the largest part of anyone’s day). The Presence of God throughout the day then flows into our more formal times of prayer and practice.

That when an occasion of practicing some virtue offered, he addressed himself to God, saying, Lord, I cannot do this unless Thou enablest me; and that then he received strength more than sufficient.

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. That this appeared plainly by their works, and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue. That there needed neither art nor science for going to God, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only.

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