The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior

by Joni Eareckson Tada

Discover the joy of intentionally dwelling in the presence of God as the beloved author of Joni weaves contemporary insights with the timeless wisdom of seventeenth-century monk Brother Lawrence.

"Suffering has a way of heaving you beyond the shallows of life where your faith feels ankle-deep. It casts you out into the fathomless depths of God." —Joni, from the Introduction

Brother Lawrence lived through the drudgeries of monastery kitchen duty during the turbulence of 1600s France. Joni Eareckson Tada suffered a terrible accident that broke her neck and left her paralyzed. This tragedy led her from a life of distant faith to a life as a devout Christian, and she later became a worldwide disability advocate and influencer, sharing her experiences of suffering with grace. In both their lives, they each found the secret to peace, joy, and a way of being in constant conversation with the Father . . . every day and every hour . . . practicing the presence of God.

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus ushers in wisdom from these two everyday saints, more than 400 years apart, to teach and inspire you to experience the nearness of God in your life. Through rich devotional content from Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God, accompanied by original art and never-before-published insights from Joni, you’ll experience a unique blend of past and present wisdom on such themes as humility, thankfulness, fear, worship, obedience, and more. Each devotion ushers you into the peace of the Good Shepherd.

Genres: Christian, Faith, Christian Living, Devotional, Nonfiction

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

Joni Eareckson Tada is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community".

Reviews

[Lauren Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely devotional that whet my appetite to read more from Brother Lawrence and his book Practicing the Presence of God as each day's devotional is set up with a quote from his on one side the of the page and then a meditative reading from Joni on the opposite page. Her ability to speak to suffering is unmatched and I greatly benefited from the readings.

[Damaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus combines devotional meditations from Joni Eareckson Tada as well as Brother Lawrence. I appreciated the digestible, short + concise nature of the book. I did find some of the concepts to be redundant, as well as each day's reading to be a bit too short for my personal taste. However, Joni's thoughts in particular are, as always, truth-filled, gracious, humble and edifying. This book will particularly resonate with those journeying through suffering and wilderness seasons.
Thank you to NetGalley and Multnomah for the advanced copy. This is my honest review.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as a devotional alongside my daily Bible readings and appreciate the spiritual depth that Joni provides. She is also encouraging as she helps to see everything through the perspective of growing closer to Jesus.

[Bethany Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best devotionals I’ve ever read! Always, always pointing to Jesus & going with us to the deep places. Highly recommend!

[Jennifer McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

So encouraging and practical for those wanting a deeper relationship with and understanding of Jesus and to walk daily with Him.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this due to really enjoying most things I've read by Joni.

I found it to be an "okay" devotional -- the bits at the beginning of each reading by Brother Lawrence are very short; often just a sentence or two. Next come Joni's thoughts, which form the "meat" of each short devotional.

I really loved "Spectacle of Glory," another daily devotional of Joni's that I've read several times. That one seems to have many "aha" thoughts. This one is still good, just not so many "wow" thoughts. Still, it's a decent devotional, particularly for those struggling with suffering in some way (which I suppose all of us are).

***Note that I wrote the review for the publisher after reading about 10 of the devotions. After finishing this, I like it more. I still prefer "Spectacle of Glory," but this is better than first suggested.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this devotional helpful! Joni is a true inspiration and her musings are heartfelt and hard-won. I like that she draws on the influence of the monk Brother Lawrence to help us learn how to be aware of the presence of Jesus even in the most mundane tasks. It is wonderful to know that He is with us always—even while washing the dishes. :)

[Jake Childers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great morning devotional. 4 stars because I wish there was more from brother Lawrence, but still great nonetheless.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: I love practicing the presence of my Savior in the dark of night when I cannot sleep. Rather than contend with anxiety, I empty out my heart and pour the beauties of Jesus into it. I fill it with love words for him, each borrowed from the Bible.

This is not the same book as the Practice of the Presence of God. Don't be fooled! Instead delight at this inspirational 'spin-off' of sorts. There are quotes from Brother Lawrence sprinkled throughout, but this is a new devotional book by Joni Eareckson Tada. There are over a hundred devotions.

I am not usually a fan of devotional books, key word being usually. But I am a BIG fan of Joni Eareckson Tada. I do love a good devotional book that is substantive spiritually. I don't like light, fluffy, superficial. This one was absolutely wonderful. It was an amazing read. One that I would highly recommend.

Quotes:
True, God remedied our “mischief,” but, oh, at such a cost! So I practice the presence of Jesus every time I take sin seriously and refuse to sweep small sins under the carpet of my conscience. God forbid that I should ever call an offense against God “tiny” when it has caused my Savior unimaginable pain. May I never minimize the sin that made him suffer.


Expect to meet Jesus in your pain, and you most certainly will. For he has already entered that awful place ahead of you. He transformed it by his power and presence and came out the other side. He uprooted its dread and left it a place of resurrection and hope. So take a deep breath and step into your agony, anticipating that you’ll see Jesus.


It is a fight to trust Jesus. I must trust that everything my heart could ever long for is wrapped up in him and that he is far superior to anything the world offers. To not believe this is to demonstrate an utter lack of trust in my Savior.


God allows only those things that are designed to strengthen my soul, stretch its capacity for himself, and increase its hunger and thirst for the grace of Jesus.


If you are perplexed by the secret ways of God in your troubles, always filter them through Jesus, the Way that can be trusted … no matter what.


But Jesus wants to be bothered. It pleases him when we bring him our shame. Pain may insist that prayer will not “make it go away,” but prayer always engages me with the power and presence of Jesus Christ, who gladly pours out a deluge of courage, a reservoir of perseverance, a wellspring of endurance and patience, and a marvelous peace that goes far beyond my understanding. When I remember this, it brings Jesus pleasure. He smiles when I listen to his voice rather than the voice of my agonies.


Jesus doesn’t have what my soul needs; he is what I need.


The best thing you can do for yourself, as well as for the people around you, is to trust God. The harder things are, the better you make God look when you put your faith in him.
If my faith meant only what I believe about Christ in my mind, it would not be faith at all. Faith in Christ will always stay in the world of theory and shadows, ambiguous and hazy, until it is called forth and put to the grind. Faith needs exercise so that when someone asks me, “Who is this Jesus, and what do you believe about him, Joni?” I can confidently respond, “He is my fountain of joy in all my sufferings, and let me prove that by the way I trust him.”


The incomparably great power of Christ is within your grasp. So draw close enough to Jesus to reach out and touch the hem of his garment. He will give you power. Power to endure, hold on to hope, and find courage.


Jesus did not die to make us healthy but to make us holy. He came not to make us comfortable but to heal us of our propensity to sin. The best cures have to do with eschewing sin and drawing closer to Jesus Christ. It’s better than any amount of walking.


I grab my thoughts by the scruff of the neck; I push them into the pages of Scripture to give them a good dose of gospel truth. I show my idle thoughts who is the real boss of my soul, for I must not allow shiftless thinking to rule over me. I am like the psalmist who commanded his foolish musings, telling his soul, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42: 5).

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Thoughts:

I’ve read The Practice of the Presence of God written by Brother Lawrence. My copy is dad’s old copy published by Fleming H. Revell Company in 1958. It is a 64-page book that is the length of my hand, yet heavy with thought and wisdom.

From the preface of my copy of The Practice of the Presence of God: “The value of this book lies in its Christian humility and simplicity.” Page 5.

Joni Eareckson Tada has expounded on Brother Lawrences’ book and crafted a book to be used as a devotional and help to those in a season of suffering.

I want to state first: The Practice of the Presence of Jesus has a target audience in mind. It is a book that is not going to entice every reader.

I mentioned a season of suffering and hardship. These are some of the themes related to this in the book.

1. Chronic pain.
2. Health crisis.
3. Inability to sleep.
4. Fear.
5. Discouragement.
6. An affliction.

Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) was a lay brother in a Catholic Carmelite monastery in Paris, France. Because he is a Catholic writer it is possible Protestant readers are unaware of him or they are not comfortable reading his book.

Every chapter of Tada’s book begins with a quote from Lawrences’ book. In reading Tada’s book, the reader will become familiar with Lawrences’ book.

Important points about this book:

1. Tada’s pen and ink drawings are in the book. Not every chapter has a drawing, but they are throughout the book.
2. 110 chapters. Often, a devotional book is either for a year or a 30-day month. It is interesting that this book holds 110 chapters.
3. The “Introduction” shares a brief bio of both Brother Lawrence and Joni Eareckson Tada.
4. After the “Introduction” there is a “Before You Begin” chapter. It addresses “suffering” and how this book can be helpful.
5. Most of the devotionals or meditations are no longer than a page and a half. One Bible verse is included in each. The short chapters are a bonus for someone who is in such a place of suffering they cannot focus for long.
6. The chapters end with a question to meditate on. Once again, one question is enough for a person to read and meditate on who is suffering.
7. The book, The Practice of the Presence of God, Tada quotes and gives a page number for is not the same edition I have. Her copy is an 1896 edition.
8. The Practice of the Presence of Jesus is a sweet balm, a humble and tender book.

Other themes in the book:

1. Praise.
2. Gratitude.
3. Blessings.
4. Worship.
5. Prayer.
6. Strength to endure.
7. Courage.
8. Condition of our souls.

One of the sweetest chapters is when Tada expresses that during the night when she is in pain and suffering, she prays for others, or she speaks known hymns. I’ve known other people who do this. I have done this. Not only is it helpful but it takes my mind or focus off myself and to pray for others.


Format: E-book from NetGalley.
Source: I received a complimentary e-book from NetGalley and WaterBrook Multnomah. I am not required to write a positive review.
Audience: Christian readers who are going through a season of suffering and hardship.
Rating: Good to very good.

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

By now, it's difficult to imagine that you don't know the story of Joni Eareckson Tada. A beloved evangelical author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, Tada became a quadriplegic at the age of 17 after a diving accident. She has since become widely recognized for her work to accelerate Christian ministry in the disability community.

With "The Practice of the Presence of Jesus: Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior," Tada weaves together wisdom from 17th century monk Brother Lawrence and her own contemporary insights into a collection of daily meditations encouraging Christians to experience the nearness of God in daily life.

"The Practice of the Presence of Jesus" includes devotional content from Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" along with original art and never before published insights from Tada. Tada's relatable wisdom approaches such themes as humility, thankfulness, fear, worship, obedience, and more. While Tada's writings are always accessible, there is a reason she's globally beloved after all, they're also rather no holds barred whether she's contemplating the diving accident that left her a quadriplegic during a time when she'd strayed from God and was praying for help to return or whether she's acknowledging that she has difficulty in social settings where Jesus's name is not present. Tada is a fully committed evangelical, uncompromising in her faith and that passionate devotion comes through throughout "The Practice of the Presence of Jesus."

After nearly 50 books, Tada's message remains consistent and those familiar with Brother Lawrence will no doubt admire the ways in which Tada is able to weave together the wisdom past and present. Having dealt with two cancer challenges in the past 10 years, it's remarkable to experience Tada's zest for life and faith just as passionate and energized as ever.

At the age of 73, Tada has far surpassed the expected lifespan for those experiencing quadriplegia. One of the many inspiring things about Tada is that she's very open about her own challenges and acknowledges her dark periods. Yet, it's easy to see that she truly lives into these daily practices and meditations and it's easy to understand how faith has allowed her to both survive and thrive.

If you love Tada, you will love this latest effort from her and you will love the simplicity and wonder of her daily meditations. You will discover the joy of choosing to intentionally dwell in closer relationship with God and you will see this intentionality modeled by a woman whose life exudes faithfulness even when tremendous adversity presents itself.

"The Practice of the Presence of Jesus" will most resonate with those familiar with Tada's ministry, evangelical Christians, people with disabilities and those who love them, and anyone else seeking to become more intentional and disciplined about living in nearness to the presence of Jesus.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This devotional book features short quotations from The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, with full devotional readings from Joni Eareckson Tada. A note at the beginning of the book introduces Lawrence's and Tada's life stories, and the book combines some of his classic words about faith with Tada's new reflections.

There are 110 short devotional readings in this book, and some of them include peaceful, nature-focused line drawings from Tada. This book is different from others that I have read before, since each reading starts with a quote from Brother Lawrence instead of a Bible verse, but Tada incorporates Scripture into her writing so deeply that each day's reading still feels Scripture-driven. The readings are quite brief, and each ends with a question for meditation.

I enjoyed Tada's conversational and expressive writing style, and this book is full of encouragement. The readings cover different topics, but primarily focus on connecting with God's presence in the midst of suffering and physical pain. Tada shares hard-won wisdom from her life as a quadriplegic, and shares how her difficult life has brought her closer to God. The spiritual truths in this book apply generally, but this book will be especially meaningful to other Christians with disabilities and/or chronic pain.

However, even though I enjoyed this book and appreciated Tada's perspective, I felt that this was longer than it needed to be, since some of the readings were repetitive and overly similar. Tada covers many of the same themes repeatedly in slightly different ways, and because the readings are so brief, there wasn't a lot of space for her to make them distinct. Because of that, I would primarily recommend this to people who are fans of Tada's work, or who personally relate to the repeated themes about physical pain and suffering.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this devotional by Joni Eareckson Tada, her meditations are based on the writings of Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite monk who lived in Paris in the 1600's. Though the two lived three centuries apart, their struggles and journeys of faith are oddly and strikingly similar.

Brother Lawrence, a soldier, was grievously wounded in combat. After trying other jobs, and failing at all of them, he entered a monastery seeking solace. It wasn't until a decade into his stay there, that he began to find the comfort he sought by focusing his attention on the presence of God in every moment of his day.

Joni Eareckson Tada, a high-school senior in the late 1960's, was greatly concerned about the sinful path she was on and from which she couldn't break herself free. She broke her neck in a diving accident and became a quadraplegic.

Both struggled morally; both suffered greatly. Each came to rely on their faith and constant communication with their Lord to get through the challenges of their lives.

Each of the short daily meditations is based on a quote of Brother Lawrence taken from his book of letters. The author then gives her modern day take on it. This is a book that would be helpful for any Christian struggling with his/her faith or going through a dark and challenging season of life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found that it gave me perspective, inspiration and comfort. The author's pen and ink drawings (done by mouth) are amazing!! I highly recommend this book.

My sincere thanks to Multnomah who let me read a DRC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given. Publication will be 10/24/23.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never read anything written by Brother Lawrence. I enjoyed how author Joni Eareckson Tada included brief devotions from Brother Lawrence on the left side of the book, followed by Joni's commentary on the devotion on the right. The readings include 110. The book brilliantly integrates illustrations by Joni Eareckson Tada who created these incredible pen and ink drawings with her mouth.

I thought the book's introduction did a good job of summarizing Joni and Brother Lawrence's difficult path each has walked. I knew some of Joni's lot but I did not know Lawrence's. Both suffered immensely, to overcome the obstacles in their lives, they learned to rely on their faith and ongoing communication with their Lord. This book filled me with comfort, encouragement, and a new insight on life.



This simple technique of praying for Jesus' presence makes it easier for the reader to sense the ability we have to cling to joy and hope in the face of the daily grind. This frequently pulls us away from our true mission in life, which is to grow in our love for God and one another. Joni has a special way of expressing Jesus' love. I have always found her to be inspirational, and this new devotional provides even more positive insight.

Disclosure Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A juxtaposition of two lives, The Practice of the Presence of Jesus explores the classic work by Brother Lawrence alongside the life of Joni Eareckson Tada, a Christian quadriplegic who has spent the past fifty years in a wheelchair. Both stories intersect at the point of a purposeful focus on knowing God.

Living with chronic pain, Tada has turned to Brother Lawrence’s example and his writing as a path toward peace and as an inspiration to find meaning in her mundane days of suffering. Through his example, she found words to express her own long endurance and the patience of finding God at work in everything.

For example, taking to heart Brother Lawrence’s practice of seeking to allow God to “possess [his] heart alone,” Joni has memorized “love words” for God, borrowed from the Bible, to fill her heart and calm her mind when she’s unable to sleep. Nearness to God heightens her awareness of her absolute neediness and God’s perfect loveliness.

Each entry includes a vignette from the writing of Brother Lawrence followed by reflections from Joni’s life and spiritual disciplines. This collection of daily meditations on the nearness of our Savior is a primer for 21st-century Christians who have not taken monastic vows nor been afflicted with paralysis and yet desire to make the daily choice to focus on Christ as their greatest treasure and fondest hope.

Many thanks to Multnomah Press and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus
Daily Meditations on the Nearness of Our Savior
by Joni Eareckson Tada
Pub Date 24 Oct 2023
WaterBrook & Multnomah,Multnomah
Christian


I'm reviewing The Practice of the Presence of Jesus through WaterBrook and Multonomah and Netgalley:


As the beloved author of Joni weaves contemporary insights with the timeless wisdom of seventeenth-century monk Brother Lawrence, you'll experience the joy of intentionally dwelling in God's presence.



While the turbulence of 1600s France raged, Brother Lawrence lived through the drudgery of monastery kitchen duty. Joni Eareckson Tada broke her neck and got paralyzed in a horrible accident. As a result of this tragedy, she became a devout Christian and a disability advocate around the world, sharing her experiences of suffering with grace. Both of them found the secret to peace, joy, and being in constant conversation with the Father . . . every day and every hour . . . practiced God's presence.

These two everyday saints, more than 400 years apart, teach and inspire you to experience God's nearness in your life in The Practice of the Presence of Jesus. In this book, you'll get rich devotional content from Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God, along with original art and Joni's never-before-published insights. It's a unique blend of past and present wisdom on topics like humility, thankfulness, fear, worship, obedience, etc. You'll feel the peace of the Good Shepherd with every devotion.


I give The Practice of the Presence of Jesus five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fresh Look at an Ancient Practice

A classic book is the Brother Lawrence THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD. In THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF JESUS, bestselling author Joni Eareckson Tada has pulled a short devotion from Brother Lawrence on the right-hand side of the page and balanced it on the left-hand side of the page with her original devotion. This book includes 110 thought-provoking devotions. Scattered throughout this devotional are intricate and thoughtful drawings from Joni.

For example, in chapter 16 The Spiritual Life, Brother Lawrence says, “We must…always work at the spiritual life, because not to advance, in the spiritual life, is to go back.” (Page 32) Then on the opposite page, Tada includes a short devotion and in part says, “The instant you make Jesus your hot pursuit, the divine energy surges through you, fulfilling what God expects from one of his purchased ones. God will then reward your earnest spiritual effort with a sweet, intimate friendship with his Son. Such a prize is more than worth the work.” (Page 33) Each devotion closes with a simple meditation sentence.

Reading this devotion is a rich spiritual experience and I highly recommend this book.

W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus combines wisdom from 2 giants of the faith in one easy to use volume. The letters of seventeenth century monk Brother Lawrence were published after his death as The Practice of the Presence of God. It is a classic on the Christian faith and pursuing a deeper walk with God. Joni Eareckson Tada has an open and honest way of spreading encouragement and hope, even as she endures her own physical hardships with quadriplegia and cancer. If you are not familiar with her and her books you need to be.
As always, this is another wonderful devotional by Joni Eareckson Tada. The book begins with lengthy introductions to both Brother Lawrence and Joni, followed by 110 short readings. Each entry includes a quote by Brother Lawrence, on which Joni then expounds briefly and includes a meditation on the subject. Joni’s art is also sprinkled throughout the book, tying everything together beautifully. I recommend this book, as I would any of Joni’s writings, as well as the writings of Brother Lawrence. Perfect for yourself and as a gift, this book will bring you into a closer relationship with Jesus as you practice being in His presence.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Eunice Chin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read through this book, the more my focus came to rest on Jesus. I find this to be very much a "be still and know that I am God" devotional, and to know His presence with me. It is not 'magic' but a gentle drawing of the heart to Jesus and finding His still calmness. The combined words of Brother Lawrence's quotes which acted as a launching pad of sorts for Joni's short sharings helped to tune my mind towards Jesus. These two sections were followed by a statement or a question of meditation to further the message's impact upon a believer's heartstrings.

The idea of fully engaging in practicing Jesus' presence in the way Joni explains will indeed be life changing despite any constant conflicts or pain a person may be enduring. The words really effectively give awareness that there can be such a practice and that it can be daily, or rather a minutely minute-by-minute exercise.

I'm really glad I got to read this book. I believe it will be very helpful for anyone who wishes to know Jesus' presence more in their life.

A 5-Star rating from me.

~Eunice C., Blogger/Reviewer 2023~

May 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a devotional by Joni Eareckson Tada before, so I was excited to get this from NetGalley. Unlike other devotionals I’ve ever read, this is slightly different. Instead of a verse leading the devotional, this is a quote from Brother Lawrence. It was a strange setup for me at first, but it’s okay. She fills the devotionals with many many scriptures, so in the end, it does feel like a traditional devotional. And since I’ve never come across Brother Lawrence before, I’m eager to read more from him as well.

If I compare this to her other devotional that I’ve been reading, I prefer her other one (“A Spectacle of Glory”). But this had some really powerful passages that I won’t forget. If you suffer from chronic pain or illness, this is definitely a book for you. I grew up reading her autobiography for kids called “Joni’s Story” and I always found it inspiring. So I do recommend her books and the encouragement that she brings to people. I will definitely be reading more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Multnomah for the advanced copy. This is my honest review

[Rebecca Tellez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her book The Practice of the Presence of Jesus we are given a glimpse into Joni’s walk with Jesus daily. We are also treated to a small portion of Brother Lawrence’s book The Practice of the Presence of God. Between the two devoted members of God’s family, we are given a way to navigate the storms and daily trials of our lives. Instead of focusing on her pain and paralysis, she turns her heart and prayers towards Jesus and gives us Scripture and prayers to help us along our journeys. At the start of each meditation, we are treated to a drawing of Joni’s. I also thoroughly enjoyed the daily pages of Brother Lawerence.
I highly recommend this book to be added to your devotional bookshelf. I received an ARC copy from the author/publisher for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
A couple of my highlighted lines:
If life seems unbearably hard right now, remember that some of God’s best gifts must be unwrapped in the darkness.
You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of

[Nancy Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her newest book, Joni Eareckson Tada reflects on the writings of Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God. With excerpts by Brother Lawrence on one page, and Joni’s thoughts on the other, this book is a guide for how we stay close to God in our everyday moments. Joni frequently refers to her struggles with chronic, severe pain, as well as her struggles with her paralysis, but with a focus on Jesus instead of on her suffering. She always points the way to Jesus and describes how she recites Scripture, prays Scripture, and cries out to God for strength and peace. One quote was especially powerful to me, “Suffering has a way of heaving you beyond the shallows of life where your faith tends to feel ankle-deep…a place where Jesus is the only One who can touch the bottom.” Her perseverance in spite of suffering and her examples of how to draw closer to God during difficult times are both inspiring and practical.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person with a chronic illness I am always on the lookout for devotionals and other resources that can help me live the life God has for me. I was excited to see that Joni Eareckson Tada had a new book coming out that sounded like just what I needed. Joni takes the words of Brother Lawrence from his The Practice the Presence of God and expands them to include her thoughts on how we can practice the presence of Jesus in our everyday lives.
While the book will be especially meaningful to those with disabilities or chronic illness, Joni’s thoughts are meant for all.
There are so many great nuggets in this book - I’m sure I will go through it many times, gleaning new insights each time. I encourage anyone who wants to get closer to Christ to read through The Practice of the Presence of Jesus.
I received a complimentary copy of The Practice of the Presence of Jesus. This is my honest review.

[Karen Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Practice of the Presence of Jesus
Daily Meditations on the Nearness of our Savor
By Joni Eareckson Tada with John Sloan

This little devotional book packs quite a punch. It features 110 devotions with a quote from Brother Lawrence on one side and a meditation from Joni on the other. If you want to continue in self-pity or lukewarm Christianity, do not read this book!
I found it to be quite encouraging. Joni can speak with authority on the blessing of suffering. She shares her secrets of communion with Jesus in simple childlike terms. Though the selections are short, they leave the reader with much to ponder.
I highly recommend this book and I am grateful to the publisher for a complimentary copy for this, my honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this treasure of a book! It pairs a small selection from Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence of God, with an encouragement from Joni who has deeply learned what it means to rely on the nearness of Jesus through her suffering as she serves and glorifies Him. I love to study the Word, and to know *about* God, but how tragic it would be if I didn’t actually know, and talk to, and enjoy Him, the true and living Person who dwells in me!

[Whitney Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joni’s words— inspired by Brother Lawrence’s words from “The Practice of the Presence of God”— are short, digestible, but big important truths meant for daily reading. Each devotional includes a passage from Brother Lawrence, thoughts from Joni, and a phrase on which to meditate. Joni’s words are a balm to the soul of the sufferer.

[Kidron Tirey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joni has given readers a delightfully intimate book about what it means to be more Christ-like: how to abide, how to mourn one’s sins, and how to find joy in the presence of Christ. Drawing from the publication of Brother Lawerence, Joni’s reflections transcend epically into a truth-saturated read for the postmodern age.

[Anna Garmoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed these devotional readings. Joni Eareckson Tada has mirrored snippets of Brother Lawrence’s writings and with her own modernized stories of experiencing Jesus throughout her life. I plan to pass this book along to a Little Free Library or a thrift store just because this segmented writing isn’t one I’d make an effort to read again but it was still fruitful in content!

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have admired both Brother Lawrence and Joni Eareckson Tada for years, so to read both of them each morning as a start to my day has been a gift these last months. This book was a gift from a dear friend, and I treasured the text and Joni's illustrations throughout. I wrote down my favorites and I shared many pages and quotes with friends.

[Keith Warden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional book is filled with rich and deep daily reflections on the beautiful and often painful joy of living in the Lord’s presence. Each reading is filled with reflections that could only flow from the heart of someone who has walked with God in the dark nights of the soul. I know I’ll want to come back and read through these again.