Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence.As a humble cook, Brother Lawrence learned an important lesson through each daily chore: The time he spent in communion with the Lord should be the same, whether he was bustling around in the kitchen--with several people asking...

In a busy world of things to do and places to be, a "quiet time" seems like just one more activity to add to our already over-booked agendas. In this 17th century spiritual classic, featuring the letters and conversations of Brother Lawrence, we're informed that God doesn't just exist in the areas of our life that we deem religious. He's closer than our breath, encapsulates our being, and desires to be part of our everyday activities. For Lawrence, "set times of prayer were no different than other times, and his work didn't divert him from God." His practical simplicity brings a depth of...

An unabridged edition with modernized typeface, to include all conversations and the fifteen letters.

"Practicing the Presence of God" is a not a book by Brother Lawrence in the usual sense. Rather, it is a compilation by Joseph de Beaufort, one of Lawrences contemporaries. In the first volume Beaufort recalls four conversations he had with Brother Lawrence. The second volume, contains parts of fifteen letters written by Lawrence, each which Beaufort introduces with notes on its context. Beauforts first person narration throughout can be confusing to new readers, but this minor awkwardness has not prevented the book from joining the ranks of the most celebrated Christian classics, nor its...

Feelings. We all have feelings. Sometimes we express them; sometimes we don't express them; sometimes we try to express them, but it doesn't come out right; sometimes we just don't know how to express them the way we really want to. Sometimes what is on the inside comes out different when it gets to the outside. This book is an attempt to match what is on the inside with what comes out on the outside. It is not necessarily the right way or the wrong way; it is just a way. Maybe you can "feel" these feelings, maybe you can't. Sometimes we are inspired, sometimes we are inspired to inspire...

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (c. 1614 - 12 February 1691) served as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Christians commonly remember him for the intimacy he expressed concerning his relationship to God as recorded in a book compiled after his death, the classic Christian text, The Practice of the Presence of God.