Monk in the kitchen by Ernst Nowak
Practice of the Presence of God
One of the most beloved books on living in God’s presence comes from a clumsy man who broke everything, and spent most of his life doing menial chores. The practice of the presence of God is a spiritual discipline that invites individuals to cultivate a constant awareness of the Divine in their daily lives.
A Brief Biography
Brother Lawrence, born Nicholas Herman in France in 1614, was a soldier before he joined the Carmelite order in Paris. Despite his lack of formal education, Brother Lawrence found his calling in the kitchen, where he served as a cook and dishwasher. It was in the midst of his mundane tasks that he developed a profound spirituality and an unwavering connection with God.
Despite his lowly position in life, his character attracted many to him. He had a reputation for experiencing profound peace and visitors came from far and wide to seek spiritual guidance from him. The wisdom he passed on to them, in conversations and in letters, would later become the basis for the book, The Practice of the Presence of God.
The Practice
When I first read The Practice of the Presence of God I assumed it would be easy and that I would master the practice in a day or two. The book is a quick read, which I completed it in under an hour. His advice is simple, I love cooking and an enjoy doing the dishes, so I decided to practice his method every time I did the dishes. After six months I hadn’t practiced the presence of God once. I picked up his book and reread it. Brother Lawrence does warn us that his way is simple but hard.
The Essence of the Practice
At the core of the practice of the presence of God is the recognition that God is always with us, and we can maintain an ongoing conversation and communion with the Divine in every aspect of our lives. It involves developing a deep sense of awareness and attentiveness to God's presence in the present moment.
How to Practice
Start by selecting a chore or task you do regularly and decide to practice the presence of God while doing that chore.
Make sure you do the chore well. Brother Lawrence says,“We must do everything with great care, avoiding impetuous actions, which are evidence of a disordered spirit. God wants us to work gently, calmly, and lovingly with Him.”
Have a Conversation with God
Brother Lawrence advices, “We must try to converse with God in little ways while we do our work; not in memorized prayer, not trying to recite previously formed thoughts. Rather, we should purely and simply reveal our hearts as the words come to us.”
The mistake I made in my first attempt was trying to be too complex, so my mind would begin to wander in less than a minute. When I made it simple it began to work for me. For example when I was washing a cup I say something like, “Thank you cup for the coffee you held, thank you God for the coffee…”
Pause
“Whatever we do… we should stop for a few minutes as often as possible to praise God from the depths of our hearts, to enjoy Him there in secret… What could please God more than for us to leave the cares of the world temporarily in order to worship Him in our spirits? These momentary retreats serve to free us from our selfish-ness, which can only exist in the world.”
Use your imagination
"My day-to-day life consists of giving God my simple, loving attention. If I am distracted, He calls me back in tones that are supernaturally beautiful. If you think of me, remember the grace with which God has blessed me rather than my typically human ineptitude."
“Sometimes I imagine that I'm a piece of stone, waiting for the sculptor. When I give myself to God this way, He begins sculpting my soul into the perfect image of His beloved Son.”
If your mind wanders bring it back
"You aren't the only one to be distracted from the presence of God; I understand completely. Our minds are so flighty. However, remember that our God-given wills govern all of our strength. We must recall our minds to God.
Otherwise, our spirits may wander, dragging us down to the things of this earth.
I think the remedy for the problem is to confess our faults to God and humble ourselves before Him. It isn't necessary to be too verbose in prayer, because lengthy prayers encourage wandering thoughts. Simply present yourself to God as if you were a poor man knocking on the door of a rich man, and fix your attention on His presence. If your mind wanders at times, don't be upset, because being upset will only distract you more. Allow your will to recall your attention gently to God. Such perseverance will please Him."
3 Highly Regarded Books
The Practice of the Presence of God
This book is a collection of letters and conversations that provide insights into Brother Lawrence's personal experiences and teachings on cultivating a continuous awareness of God's presence. It offers practical guidance on how to integrate the practice into daily life and deepen one's relationship with God.
The Sacrament of the Present Moment
This book was by written by the 18th-century French Jesuit priest Jean-Pierre de Caussade, this book explores the idea of surrendering to God's will in the present moment. It emphasizes the importance of accepting the circumstances of life as opportunities for encountering God.
Practicing the Presence of God
Joel Goldsmith, a 20th-century Christian mystic and teacher, offers practical guidance on how to develop a constant awareness of God's presence. He explores the idea that God is always available to us in the present moment.
"The Practice of the Presence of God
In this book, Andrew Murray, a 19th-century South African writer and pastor, examines the concept of practicing God's presence as a means to a holy life. He provides practical steps for cultivating this practice in everyday living.
I’m Dr. Rodger Douglas, DMH, a South African-born homeopath now based in Osaka, Japan. With a psychology degree from Nelson Mandela University and a diploma from the Hahnemann College of Heilkunst, I specialize in holistic care for fibromyalgia. I serve clients by phone or video across the US, Canada, and the UK.