Eight Quotes from The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

As a bookseller I'm fortunate enough to have access to an incredible library of volumes. I wish I could say that I've read all the books in my personal and store inventory, but I must admit that I haven't even come close to reading a fraction of what is available to me. Instead, because of time constraints, I scan read whatever looks interesting.

I've been enjoying scan reading different Christian classics in my collection and pulling out inspirational and thought provoking quotes. In my hands now is a little book, only 51 pages in this edition, that is labeled as one of Christendom's classic texts: "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. In the preface it tells me that "Brother Lawrence" was born Nicholas Herman in France, and that he joined the Carmelites as a Lay brother in 1666. We know he served in the monastery kitchens and died at the age 80. The book is broken into two sections, "Conversations" (which were written about him) and "Letters" (which were written by him).

This modern day preface gives him the following accolade: "We publish it as a unique record of one who walked with Christ because he chose to walk among the lowly, of one who saw God's glory shining in the commonplace. Wherever he was, the Light was there; wherever he walked was hallowed ground. He showed us how, at any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks God may find Him, and practice the presence of God."

I pray that the Lord speaks to your heart through the following. The first four quotes are taken from the "Conversations" portion of the book, while the last four quotes are taken from the "Letters."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #1:
"That we ought to make a great difference between the acts of the understanding and those of the will; that the first were comparatively of little value, and the others, all. That our only business was to love and delight ourselves in God."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #2:
"That he had no scruples; for, said he, when I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to do so; I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give God thanks, acknowledging that the strength comes from Him."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #3:
"He told me that all consists in one heart renunciation of everything which we are sensible does not lead to God. That we might accustom ourselves to a continual conversation with Him, with freedom and in simplicity. That we need only to recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing his will in things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #4:
"His very countenance was edifying, such a sweet and calm devotion appearing in it as could not be affect the beholders. And 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 tranquility of spirit."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #5:
"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; so after having given myself wholly to God, that He might take away my sin, 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."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #6:
"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because God would have us."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #7:
"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."

The Practice of the Presence of God Quote #8:
"I must, in a little time, go to God. What comforts me in this life is that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as might make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see. I feel what faith teaches us, and in that assurance and that practice of faith I will live and die with Him."

Blessings!

Source
Brother Lawrence. The Practice of the Presence of God