The Practice of the Presence of God

I read this little book by a religious by the name of Brother Lawrence in 2024 during the time of Lent. This little book did not change my life at the time I read it because I wasn't fully present during my reading of it. The book was one I was reading as part of a 40 day Lent Challenge through the Hallow app. I remember enjoying the book.

Recently, I heard Pope Leo refer to this book. He was giving a press conference on the plane as it was preparing to depart from Lebanon back to Rome. He had spent around a week in Turkey and then Lebanon. He said a while back a German reporter asked him if there was a book other than the Bible that Pope Leo could point to that best tells a little about Bob Prevost. Bob Prevost being Pope Leo's birth name before becoming Pope. Pope Leo said at the time, he didn't provide an answer but after careful consideration he could say that the Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence describes him best.

Brother Lawrence as described in this book sought guidance from the Holy Spirit in all things. He had a day-to-day relationship with Jesus and he turned to him throughout the day for all his needs. Brother Lawrence would engage in his work which included being a cook or repairing shoes with Jesus right there by his side. If he did a good job with his work, he would thank the Lord. If it wasn't a good day, he would ask for forgiveness. In other words, he did not spend time with Jesus only certain times of the day such as during Adoration, or during prayer hour. His prayer and conversation with God was all day, all the time. Now, that I am re-reading this little book, it is changing how I spend time with Jesus. It is definitely one to read and share with your students. I provide an excerpt here below.

Brother Lawrence saw nothing but the plan of God in everything that happened to him. Because he loved the will of the Lord so much, he was able to bring his own will into complete submission to it. This kept him in continuous peace. Even when told of some great evil in the world, He would simply raise his heart to God, trusting that He would work it to the good of the general order. Even when asked what he would answer if God gave him the choice of living or dying and going to heaven immediately, Brother Lawrence said that he would leave the choice to God because he had nothing else to do but wait until God showed him His will.

The natural attachment to one's country that people carry with them into even the holiest places did not preoccupy him. He was equally loved by those who had different inclinations. He wished for good in general, without regard to the people by whom or for whom it was done. He was a citizen of heaven, not concerned with things on earth. His views were not limited by time, because he contemplated nothing but the Eternal One and had become eternal like Him.