The Practice Of The Presense Of God

pwgThere is a wonderful little book called The Practice Of The Presence Of God by Brother Lawrence.  I have read this book many times.  Brother Lawrence was a 17th century monk who made a point to continually converse with God so as to remain in his presence and aware of his presence at all times. That by doing this everything we do could be done for the love of God and that we could worship His presence whether kneeling at the altar receiving communion or brushing our teeth or changing the brakes on our  car. There was no difference to Brother Lawrence.

It was a great delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times; that we are as strictly  obligated to adhere to God by action in the time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer. His prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of God, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but divine love; and when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might. so that he passed his life in continual joy;

I also believe that there does not need to be any separation between our spiritual life and our regular life. Everything we do can become an act of worship if done for the love of God and offered up to  Him. There should not be anything more spiritual about worshiping in church on Sunday morning or washing dishes after dinner if our hearts and minds are on the things of God. Yes, this is actually very Zen like if anyone is familiar with Zen teachings but it is true and helpful in our walk with God.

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