The Practice of the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence tells his reader that he received two books on the spiritual life by a friend who is preparing to dedicate her life to God. Enclosing one of the books with the letter, Lawrence underlines the importance of “practicing God’s presence” in order to “attain spiritual fulfillment” (32).

Brother Lawrence expresses a desire to hear his reader’s opinion of the book he sent them and urges them to continue to practice the presence of God. Lawrence reiterates his preference for retiring from the cares of the world to God’s presence, because he is humanity’s “end.”

Writing to his “dear sister in the Lord” (36), Brother Lawrence sympathizes with her current situation and advises her to free herself from her “present responsibilities” and devote herself entirely to prayer. He underlines the importance of lifting up one’s mind in prayer to God constantly, in every situation. The time to start is now, because God “may be waiting for us to take the first step” (36).

This time Brother Lawrence writes to a clergyman, whom he addresses as “Reverend,” recounting the spiritual struggles of life and asking for advice on handling them. Lawrence started out feeling guilty about his past sins and unworthy of God’s grace. However, his doubts end up making his faith stronger. Instead of worrying about life, he now simply tries to do God’s will and rest in His presence; as a result, he experiences perfect “contentment and joy” and an assurance of God’s forgiveness. Lawrence adds that if this state of assurance is deceptive, he trusts God to remedy that as well; all he really desires is to belong completely to God.

Addressed “Dear sister,” this brief letter finds Brother Lawrence reflecting on the inexhaustible riches of the Gospel and the surprising tranquility and lack of suffering he has found in his spiritual life.

Brother Lawrence urges his friend to put all his confidence in God because He is all-knowing and delivers people from their troubles when they least expect it. Lawrence alludes to a mutual friend, a soldier, who is having problems with his spiritual life. He recommends for this person to communicate with God as often as possible, “even in the midst of battle” (44).

Brother Lawrence acknowledges that people are easily distracted from the presence of God. The solution for this problem is to “confess our faults to God and humble ourselves before Him” (46).

Brother Lawrence writes about his “dear sister in the Lord” (48), who expects too rapid results in her spiritual life and needs direction and advice. Lawrence and the recipient have themselves spent 40 years walking with the Lord, and even they have barely taken advantage of God’s blessings to grow closer to Him. Even so, God helps those who seek Him make up for lost time, so that at any time they can begin again to make progress in their spiritual lives. If they think of God continually, they will come to know Him better and His “abundant grace will engulf [them]” (49). Lawrence acknowledges that his methods may seem monotonous, but they are true and effective.

Addressing his letter to “Madame,” Brother Lawrence writes on behalf of a mutual acquaintance who has suffered a loss. Lawrence hopes that this loss will cause him to “trust in God completely” (50) and to understand that God always comes first. Understanding this is the “real business of Christians” (51).

Urging the recipient not to show this letter to anyone, Brother Lawrence explains how he attained the ability to dwell continuously in God’s presence. Although at first he read books about the spiritual life, Lawrence rejected them as apt to produce confusion. Instead, he simply gave himself completely to God, renouncing anything that might offend Him.

He conceived of God sometimes as a judge, sometimes as a father, seeking to maintain this relationship always and despite distractions. This has become Lawrence’s “everyday routine,” sometimes practiced with mistakes but always filled with blessings along the way. The more Christians familiarize themselves with God’s presence, the more “His presence becomes a natural thing” (53).

Brother Lawrence bids his friend to “Take courage” because “God often allows us to go through difficulties to purify our souls and to teach us to rely on Him more” (54). For this reason, the faithful should dwell in God’s presence always. Even when God seems to be hiding from them, they should have unwavering faith.

Brother Lawrence thanks God for beginning to deliver his friend from his trial. As Christians grow in their knowledge of God, they will be able to love Him equally “in times of distress or in times of great joy” (55). Although they seek God because of his blessings, “a simple act of faith […] in a time of need or trouble” (56) will bring them even closer to Him. Since God is “within,” they “don’t need to seek Him elsewhere,” and they should “banish” everything from their lives that does not reflect Jesus (56). Lawrence ends by saying that he hopes he will see God in a few days. In a subjoined note, Beaufort states that Lawrence died a few days after writing this letter.