The Practice of the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence presents four spiritual maxims: the need to “become perfect” in adoring God; the need to humble oneself and accept God’s purifying love; the need to submit one’s heart and mind to God’s will; and the need to be dependent on God’s grace at every moment.

Brother Lawrence outlines the following essential spiritual practices:

1. Practice the presence of God and seek His divine company, “speaking humbly and lovingly with Him in all seasons, at every moment” (60);

2. Converse with God while at work, in spontaneous and unplanned language;

3. Perform tasks with “great care,” dedicating the work to God;

4. Observe “momentary retreats” as often as possible to praise and thank God and rest in His presence;

5. Adore God with the awareness of His perfection and sovereign nature;

6. Examine the conscience, confess all sins, and ask for the virtues one is missing with humility and confidence in God’s grace.

This brief chapter expounds what it means to adore God “in spirit and in truth” (63). To adore God in spirit means to “worship Him with a humble, sincere love that comes from the depth and center of our souls” (63).