The Practice of the Presence of God In Modern English by Brother Lawrence

Author:Brother Lawrence
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

FIFTH LETTER

Today I received two books and a letter from a Sister, who is preparing to make her profession of vows. She desires the prayers of your religious order and your community in particular. I perceive that she places high value on your prayers, and therefore I hope you will not disappoint her. Pray to God that she may offer herself as a sacrifice in the light of His love alone, and with a firm commitment to be wholly devoted to Him.

I will send you one of these books, which describes the presence of God. In my opinion, it is a subject which sums up the whole spiritual life. It seems to me that whoever faithfully practices it will soon become spiritual.

To practice this correctly, the heart must be empty of all other things. God will possess the heart alone. He cannot possess it solely without emptying it of everything else. He cannot act in the heart, and do what He wants within it, unless it is empty.

There is no sweeter and delightful life than that of continual communion with God. Only those who experience this and practice it can comprehend it. Yet I do not advise you to undertake this practice from that motive. We should not seek pleasure in this exercise. Instead let us do it out of love and because God desires it.

If I were I a preacher, I would preach the practice of the presence of God above all things. If I were a spiritual director, I would advise everyone to practice it. This is how necessary I think it is, and it is also easy.

Oh! If we realized our need for the grace and assistance of God, we would never lose sight of Him, not even for a moment. Believe me in this matter. Right now make a binding and sacred resolution never to willfully forget Him again. Spend the rest of your life in His sacred presence, even if loving him means to be deprived of all other comforts.

Begin this task with your whole heart. If you do it as you ought, you can be assured that you will soon see results. I will assist you by praying for you, as poor as my prayers are. I commend myself earnestly to you and to those of your holy community.

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