The Practice of the Presence of God and The Spiritual Maxims

by Brother Lawrence

That we ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs, just as they happen.

our only business was to love and delight ourselves in God.

That the trust we put in God, honors Him much, and draws down great graces.

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

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 greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.

the greater perfection a soul aspires after, the more dependent it is upon Divine grace.

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

Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of devotion, but act with a general confidence in God, with love and humility.

In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often,

The Presence of God is thus the life and nourishment of the soul,

Make it your study, before taking up any task to look to God, be it only for a moment,

The practice of the Presence of God strengthens us in Hope. Our hope grows in proportion as our knowledge; and in measure as our faith by this holy practice penetrates into the hidden mysteries of God, in like measure it finds in Him a beauty beyond compare,

By the practice of the Presence of God, by steadfast gaze on Him, the soul comes to a knowledge of God, full and deep, to an Unclouded Vision:

O Lord, enlarge the chambers of my heart that I may find room for Thy love. Sustain me by Thy power, lest the fire of Thy love consume me.