The Practice of the Presence of God

The Practice of the Presence of God

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Brother Lawrence related that we should establish ourselves in a sense of God's Presence by continually conversing with Him. — location: 658

Whether God led us by suffering or by consolation all would be equal to a soul truly resigned. — location: 663

He said we need fidelity in those disruptions in the ebb and flow of prayer when God tries our love to Him. This was the time for a complete act of resignation, whereof one act alone could greatly promote our spiritual advancement. — location: 664

He was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of God, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts. — location: 676

Whatever becomes of me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the love of God. I shall have this good at least that till death I shall have done all that is in me to love Him. — location: 680

He placed his sins between himself and God to tell Him that he did not deserve His favors, yet God still continued to bestow them in abundance. — location: 682

He found that the shortest way to go straight to God was by a continual exercise of love and doing all things for His sake. — location: 711

He said the trust we put in God honors Him much and draws down great graces. — location: 727

that it was difficult for him to contain himself. He said he was more united to God in his outward employments than when he left them for devotion in retirement. — location: 732

I wish

Brother Lawrence said that many do not advance in the Christian progress because they stick in penances and particular exercises while they neglect the love of God which is the end. — location: 740

The most excellent method he had found for going to God was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men but purely for the love of God. — location: 757

When the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might. — location: 761

We ought not 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. — location: 764

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. — location: 787

It was observed, that in the greatest hurry of business in the kitchen, he still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. — location: 797

He was never hasty nor loitering but did each thing in its season with an even uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit. — location: 798

"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 tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Supper." — location: 799

I worshipped Him the oftenest I could, keeping my mind in His holy presence and recalling it as often as I found it wandered from Him. I made this my business, not only at the appointed times of prayer but all the time; every hour, every minute, even in the height of my work, I drove from my mind everything that interrupted my thoughts of God. — location: 818