The Practice of the Presence of God | Page 6

of
faith, rather than by studied reasonings and elaborate meditations. By this short and sure
method he exercised himself in the knowledge and love of God, resolving to use his
utmost endeavor to live in a continual sense of His Presence, and, if possible, never to
forget Him more.
When he had thus, in prayer, filled his mind with great sentiments of that Infinite Being,
he went to his work appointed in the kitchen (for he was then cook for the community).
There having first considered severally the things his office required, and when and how
each thing was to be done, he spent all the intervals of his time, both before and after his
work, in prayer.
When he began his business, he said to God with a filial trust in Him, "O my God, since
Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to
these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence;
and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance. Receive all my works, and
possess all my affections." As he proceeded in his work, he continued his familiar
conversation with his Maker, imploring His grace, and offering to Him all his actions.
When he had finished, he examined himself how he had discharged his duty. If he found
well, he returned thanks to God. If otherwise, he asked pardon and, without being

discouraged, he set his mind right again. He then continued his exercise of the presence
of God as if he had never deviated from it. "Thus," said he, "by rising after my falls, and
by frequently renewed acts of faith and love, I am come to a state wherein it would be as
difficult for me not to think of God as it was at first to accustom myself to it."
As Brother Lawrence had found such an advantage in walking in the presence of God, it
was natural for him to recommend it earnestly to others. More strikingly, his example
was a stronger inducement than any arguments he could propose. His very countenance
was edifying with such a sweet and calm devotion appearing that he could not but affect
the beholders.
It was observed, that in the greatest hurry of business in the kitchen, he still preserved his
recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but did each
thing in its season with an even uninterrupted composure and tranquillity of spirit. "The
time of business," said he, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer. In the noise
and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different
things, I possess God in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed
Supper."
Letters
Introduction: Brother Lawrence's letters are the very heart and soul of what is titled 'The
Practice of the Presence of God'. All of these letters were written during the last ten years
of his life. Many of them were to long-time friends, a Carmelite sister and a sister at a
nearby convent. One or both of these friends were from his native village, perhaps
relatives.
The first letter was probably written to the prioress of one of these convents. The second
letter was written to Brother Lawrence's own spiritual adviser. Note that the fourth letter
is written in the third person where Brother Lawrence describes his own experience. The
letters follow the tradition of substituting M-- for specific names.
First Letter: You so earnestly desire that I describe the method by which I arrived at that
habitual sense of God's presence, which our merciful Lord has been pleased to grant me. I
am complying with your request with my request that you show my letter to no one. If I
knew that you would let it be seen, all the desire I have for your spiritual progress would
not be enough to make me comply.
The account I can give you is: Having found in many books different methods of going to
God and divers practices of the spiritual life, I thought this would serve rather to puzzle
me than facilitate what I sought after, which was nothing but how to become wholly
God's. This made me resolve to give the all for the All. After having given myself wholly
to God, to make all the satisfaction I could for my sins, I renounced, for the love of Him,
everything that was not He, and I began to live as if there was none but He and I in the
world.
Sometimes I considered myself before Him as a poor criminal at the feet of his judge. At
other times I beheld Him in my heart as my