The Practice of the Presence of God

First published in 1692, ‘The Practice of the Presence of God’ is a classic Christian text by Brother Lawrence, a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Christians typically remember him for the intimacy he expressed regarding his relationship to God as recorded in this book, which was compiled after his death. It consists of the best rule of holy life and contains the conversations and letters of Brother Lawrence. The basic theme of the book is the development of an awareness of the presence of God. It consists of sixteen short letters, a collection of spiritual maxims, four conversations written down by Father Joseph de Beaufort and a brief bio, most likely by de Beaufort. Lawrence's method of developing the presence seems to have required discipline and willpower at first, but once developed, it became effortless. It became quite popular among both Catholics and Protestants, and was praised by many.