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Practicing His Presence
If you wish to know your Lord in a deeper way, your are invited to join the numerous Christians who, over three centuries, have turned to this book in order to begin that journey to the depths of Christ.
140 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
152 people are currently reading
994 people want to read
About the author
Brother Lawrence
176 books314 followersBrother Lawrence was born Nicolas Herman in Hériménil, near Lunéville in the region of Lorraine, located in modern day eastern France and as a young man went into the army due to his poverty. At the age of 18 he received what he felt was a revelation of the providence and power of God. He went on to fight in the Thirty Years' War and later served as a valet, but within six years joined the Discalced Carmelite Priory in Paris.
Nicolas entered the priory in Paris as a lay brother, not having the education necessary to become a cleric, and took the religious name, "Lawrence of the Resurrection." He spent almost all of the rest of his life within the walls of the priory, working in the kitchen for many of these years and as a repairer of sandals in his later years.
Despite his lowly position in the life of the priory, his character attracted many to him. He had a reputation for experiencing profound peace and visitors came to seek spiritual guidance from him. The wisdom he passed on to them in conversations and in letters would later become the basis for the book The Practice of the Presence of God.
[From Wikipedia]
Nicolas entered the priory in Paris as a lay brother, not having the education necessary to become a cleric, and took the religious name, "Lawrence of the Resurrection." He spent almost all of the rest of his life within the walls of the priory, working in the kitchen for many of these years and as a repairer of sandals in his later years.
Despite his lowly position in the life of the priory, his character attracted many to him. He had a reputation for experiencing profound peace and visitors came to seek spiritual guidance from him. The wisdom he passed on to them in conversations and in letters would later become the basis for the book The Practice of the Presence of God.
[From Wikipedia]
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
September 23, 2023
This book is the journal entries of two dudes who both sought with all they had to live every moment in God’s presence, and their conclusions were unanimously that a life with God is full of peace and joy. This book made me more conscious of God in my daily life, and I experienced more of that joy that comes from living each moment with the God who cares for us and loves us so deeply. I had some critiques too, but most of them were resolved by the end of the book, which was quite satisfying.
January 15, 2020
I think this might be one of those books where I can look back and see how it has changed my life.
February 5, 2023
The content is good, but I think it could have been presented in a different format
January 20, 2026
I can't believe I've gone this long without reading this! So good and so quick- I finished it a few days ago and have been thinking about it A LOT.
June 25, 2022
the easiest five stars ever- this book has truly changed how I live and encounter God daily!
June 3, 2019
TL;DR - Brother Lawrence is a delusional quack, and this book can be made more bearable by pretending it's a comedy piece.
Let's just get this out of the way: Brother Lawrence had some good things to say. I think most books have at least something good that you can take away. His focus was on loving God more and constantly communing with Him. He made some good points.
However, this man appears to have two separate mouths that he's constantly babbling contradictions out of. He'll have two statements that are polar opposites on the same page. He must have been deaf, because if he could have heard what nonsense was spewing out of his mouth this work wouldn't exist to torture us today. I wonder how his work lasted this long. There are too many grievances to list in a review that I want to keep short, so I'll stay general. If you really wanna know, just read this book. It's around 100 pages, and if you treat it as a comedy piece, it helps make it worth your while.
Some of the statements he makes are absolutely blasphemous to Scripture. He constantly makes comments about abandoning "devotions" and making things simple. What he means by devotions is unclear, however, I'm inclined to believe it means scheduled prayer time, regular fellowship believers, and devotions in the morning/evening/whenever. He even goes so far as to say that he finds himself closer to God in his day-to-day life than he does when he engages in regular prayer time. I wonder if Brother Lawrence knew that Christ Jesus Himself needed to get away for private prayer time after his day-to-day life.
Also, he seems to forget that God is holy, and that he commands us to be as well. He blatantly advises Christians to just do whatever we can, and no matter how inconsistent or feeble our offerings are, God will accept them and say they are good enough. He seems to forget that God actually has standards. Yes, there is grace in abundance, but there are also standards we should strive to attain. Lawrence's writing is void of striving to reach these standards.
OH AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE COMMENTS HE MAKES TOWARD SICK PEOPLE, 'KAY? I dare him to tell my mother that her Multiple Sclerosis is a gracious and merciful gift toward God, and to just be happy about it all the time. I dare him to tell my diabetic uncle to abandon modern medicine and be completely trusting in God to heal him. I dare him to tell my aneurotypical and autoimmune disease people to thank God for their crushing anxiety, discrimination, and incredible struggles that they need to thank God because their sickness brings them closer to God than anyone else when SOMETIMES THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PRAY!
Brother Lawrence is only half the book, y'all. The other half is this Frank guy that I didn't even bother to read once I realized he wrote a book about being a "modern Mystic" 0_O
Yeah. I've only briefly touched on the numerous things wrong with this book, so if you take anything from this review, just know that Brother Lawrence is the sweetest most encouraging delusional quack out there.
Let's just get this out of the way: Brother Lawrence had some good things to say. I think most books have at least something good that you can take away. His focus was on loving God more and constantly communing with Him. He made some good points.
However, this man appears to have two separate mouths that he's constantly babbling contradictions out of. He'll have two statements that are polar opposites on the same page. He must have been deaf, because if he could have heard what nonsense was spewing out of his mouth this work wouldn't exist to torture us today. I wonder how his work lasted this long. There are too many grievances to list in a review that I want to keep short, so I'll stay general. If you really wanna know, just read this book. It's around 100 pages, and if you treat it as a comedy piece, it helps make it worth your while.
Some of the statements he makes are absolutely blasphemous to Scripture. He constantly makes comments about abandoning "devotions" and making things simple. What he means by devotions is unclear, however, I'm inclined to believe it means scheduled prayer time, regular fellowship believers, and devotions in the morning/evening/whenever. He even goes so far as to say that he finds himself closer to God in his day-to-day life than he does when he engages in regular prayer time. I wonder if Brother Lawrence knew that Christ Jesus Himself needed to get away for private prayer time after his day-to-day life.
Also, he seems to forget that God is holy, and that he commands us to be as well. He blatantly advises Christians to just do whatever we can, and no matter how inconsistent or feeble our offerings are, God will accept them and say they are good enough. He seems to forget that God actually has standards. Yes, there is grace in abundance, but there are also standards we should strive to attain. Lawrence's writing is void of striving to reach these standards.
OH AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE COMMENTS HE MAKES TOWARD SICK PEOPLE, 'KAY? I dare him to tell my mother that her Multiple Sclerosis is a gracious and merciful gift toward God, and to just be happy about it all the time. I dare him to tell my diabetic uncle to abandon modern medicine and be completely trusting in God to heal him. I dare him to tell my aneurotypical and autoimmune disease people to thank God for their crushing anxiety, discrimination, and incredible struggles that they need to thank God because their sickness brings them closer to God than anyone else when SOMETIMES THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PRAY!
Brother Lawrence is only half the book, y'all. The other half is this Frank guy that I didn't even bother to read once I realized he wrote a book about being a "modern Mystic" 0_O
Yeah. I've only briefly touched on the numerous things wrong with this book, so if you take anything from this review, just know that Brother Lawrence is the sweetest most encouraging delusional quack out there.
June 2, 2007
This book is actually two different topics and authors. It is primarily a reissue in English and edited to make more readable some letters from Brother Lawrence, a monk from the 17th century world known for practicing holding God in his every thought every minute of the day. In itself this is a great asset and has helped me already begin to see the value in keeping God in mind every moment of every day.
To help this process the book leads with letters written by Frank Laubach in 1970 on how practicing His presence can be a reality. It discusses Frank's own experience in keeping God in mind every moment of the day, as well as some practical pitfalls and practices which can help us through the process.
This book has changed my life and remains on the shelf within easy reach for reference and re-reading.
To help this process the book leads with letters written by Frank Laubach in 1970 on how practicing His presence can be a reality. It discusses Frank's own experience in keeping God in mind every moment of the day, as well as some practical pitfalls and practices which can help us through the process.
This book has changed my life and remains on the shelf within easy reach for reference and re-reading.
October 29, 2022
While somewhat convicting, I found this book overwhelmingly encouraging. Constantly remembering God's love, nearness, and goodness, the authors approach God with confidence, frequency, and delight.
I especially appreciated the reflections on friendship with God and the brevity of our life. Holy and exalted as God is, he has made us his friends. Our vapor of a life ought to be poured out wholly to him, as it will be for eternity.
My only criticism would be how the authors sometimes seem to relish the adoration of God more than the God whom we adore. I think the surest way to enjoy God is to look to him, not fixate on our individual devotion.
I especially appreciated the reflections on friendship with God and the brevity of our life. Holy and exalted as God is, he has made us his friends. Our vapor of a life ought to be poured out wholly to him, as it will be for eternity.
My only criticism would be how the authors sometimes seem to relish the adoration of God more than the God whom we adore. I think the surest way to enjoy God is to look to him, not fixate on our individual devotion.
May 30, 2014
I can see why this should be read by any disciple of Christ who wants to catch a glimpse what it means to experience and enjoy every moment the presence of God. It is mostly a journal style and this edition includes reflections from Frank Laubach as well as Brother Lawrence. It has entries that encourage and inspire but how to put it into practice is not prescribed in the book.
September 20, 2022
Both these men, Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach, exhibited a powerful dedication to walk always in the presence of God.
Neither man claimed to be better than others. In fact, they frequently referred to their own weakness and faults. Both referred to a continual growth of the desire to be in the presence God, and stay there. They state simply that the closer to God they became, the closer they wanted to be to Jesus.
What better desire is there than that?
Neither man claimed to be better than others. In fact, they frequently referred to their own weakness and faults. Both referred to a continual growth of the desire to be in the presence God, and stay there. They state simply that the closer to God they became, the closer they wanted to be to Jesus.
What better desire is there than that?
April 3, 2026
Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach share an incredibly devotional, practical and relevant aid for a transformative daily experience of encountering the presence of Christ.
Richly theological and even more deeply practical this book functions as an immediate encouragement and challenge to our practical daily spiritual life.
This book is immediately practical and encouraging for a believer at any stage.
November 28, 2025
I give any book I think I will read agin five stars. There are still a few things in this book I don’t completely agree with, but I think I’ve read this book at least five times. Lots of good encouraging nuggets. Some of it is a little extreme, and I just set that aside for now because overall it has a great message.
December 14, 2020
While the message was good, keep a close connection with God and be constantly aiming to think of him more and more often, the book was very redundant and could have been a pamphlet or tract and gotten the message across.
December 17, 2022
A re-read one of my favorites ever
January 17, 2025
Finished in 4 hours. Heavy read, and challenges my doctrine. Need to process this.
September 18, 2018
This is a must read. Perfect for every believer. This will be a book I read multiple times.
December 3, 2024
Though written by a monk, this book is a great example of how we should strive to be closer to God 🫶🏼.
May 6, 2022
One of my all time favorites! Want to read it yearly bc I need the reminder
January 7, 2026
Really enjoyed this book. It gave me a ton of insight into living a life focused on God and changed my perspective about prayer.
Highly suggest. Some people find it difficult to read, but both these men spoke directly to me in my language. I suggest having a notebook to write thoughts and really engaging with the “experiments” as Laubach calls them. It the difference between reading and applying that makes the book fantastic.
Highly suggest. Some people find it difficult to read, but both these men spoke directly to me in my language. I suggest having a notebook to write thoughts and really engaging with the “experiments” as Laubach calls them. It the difference between reading and applying that makes the book fantastic.
June 1, 2025
Holy smokes. This book casts a vision for what true abiding and intimacy with Jesus looks like in such an amazing way. If you're longing for more in your daily walk with God, this book is a really great ready (and the chapters are short).
September 26, 2025
A beautiful book written by two faithful brothers in Christ. Their main point is that a satisfied life lies in minute by minute communion with the Lord, a habit that transcends methods of spiritual growth because it is entirely relational and not formulaic. It challenged my perspective on my relationship with God and revealed ways in which I withhold aspects of my life from him. Don't read if you don't want to be convicted.
July 26, 2022
“Our sanctification does not depend upon changing our works, but in doing for God’s sake all those things which we commonly do for our own.”
December 22, 2012
I really liked the prelude to this. The journal entries that conveyed how to bring God into our daily life were helpful. This book gives a great picture of what daily moment by moment communion with God can look like. Brother Lawrence did a masterful job of bring the sacred into seemingly mundane tasks. That is the take away theme that I now try to carry today.
April 10, 2015
This book contains brother Lawrence's classic book called "practicing the presence of God" and includes some more recent writings by the author Frank Laubach, which are similar.
The overarching message is about how to be aware of God's presence in everything all the time. Brother Lawrence was a monk whose job was to wash dishes.
The overarching message is about how to be aware of God's presence in everything all the time. Brother Lawrence was a monk whose job was to wash dishes.
September 27, 2013
This was a very thought provoking book about practicing being in God's presence 24/7. However, I found the letters from Brother Lawrence to be a little smug, self-righteous, and judgemental for someone who supposedly practiced having a continuous conversation with God. Perhaps it was the translation from the language of the 1600's.
September 8, 2017
Another small little book with a huge message. How can our simple chores and daily lives be contact companions with God.... Even while we do the dishes. This text is 100's of years old and still relevant for today.
October 21, 2016
This is what I read whenever I feel far from God.
February 6, 2013
This is a small book that contains part of a book by the same name by Laubach and paret by Brother Lawrence
November 12, 2024
I've read this book at least three times now, and each time its impact is deeper. Definitely a keeper, and one to re-read in the future.
June 8, 2011
Nothing like a monk to get you to real faith and truth when just washing the dishes!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews