Nearer than We Imagine: Meditations on Practicing the Presence of God

by Brother Lawrence

Where is God in the midst of the tumult and change of our lives? Where is He in our joys and sorrows, our difficulties and struggles, our daily tasks and responsibilities? He is not distant or uncaring. He is with us and in us—so much nearer than we can imagine. And He invites us to live in ongoing love and fellowship with Him, whether we are worshipping Him in church, cleaning the house, reconciling our checkbooks, working at our jobs, gathering with family and friends, or engaging in any other activity of life.

Nearer than We Meditations on Practicing the Presence of God highlights pivotal areas of Brother Lawrence's renowned spiritual and practical guidance for entering into and remaining in the immediate presence of our loving heavenly Father. As you read excerpts from his classic Practice of the Presence of God, with related Scripture verses and inspiring illustrations, you will receive spiritual strength and nourishment to meet all your daily needs, experiencing unbroken communion with your heavenly Father.

In the monastery kitchen and shoe-repair shop, Brother Lawrence learned to complete every act out of love for God as he discovered the joys of oneness with the Father and His purposes. He wrote, “By practicing God’s presence and continuously looking at Him, the soul familiarizes itself with Him to the extent that it passes almost its whole life in continual acts of love, praise, confidence, thanksgiving, offering, and petition. Sometimes all this may merge into one single act that does not end, because the soul is always in the ceaseless exercise of God’s divine presence.”

Discover Brother Lawrence's secrets to continuous love, joy, and rest in God, no matter where you are or what your task, and amid all the everyday demands and challenges of life.

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Brother 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]

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange being the first person to review a book, but here we are, reviewing a book first on Goodreads.

This book is not a standalone book, it's something that should be read intentionally and with the Bible readily available. While it does not contradict the Bible, there are parts that can make you wonder the validity of Brother Lawerence approach to his relationship with Christ if you simply understand "Christian-ese".

However, when digging deeper into what his personal journey was towards being in the presence of God constantly, you begin to see and understand what Paul was saying when he penned the words: "Pray Continuously". It's about constantly seeking in all that we do the presence of the Lord, as we go about ever aspect of our lives.

Brother Lawrence overcame many hardships in his life simply by seeking the presence of the Lord, even when it did not feel near to him. This is something that as Christians we should strive for daily, even in the darkest of hours. Then once we understand and see this, we begin to really understand that the journey we are on is merely a glorification of the plan that God has had for our lives to bring Him Glory.