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Brother Lawrence, originally named John Lawrence, was a French Catholic monk known for his profound insights into everyday life and his faith in the presence of God. His life and thoughts have had a profound impact on posterity.

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Famous Brother Lawrence Quotes

“Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God.... Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward, even in sleep.”

Should Spirit Sleep Practice Holy Holy Spirit Preacher Presence Of God Gale

Author:Brother Lawrence

“The most holy and important practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God - that is, every moment to take great pleasure that God is with you”

Important Moments Spiritual Life Is Pleasure Practice Holy Spiritual Life Presence Of God God Is With You

Author:Brother Lawrence

“We should fix ourselves firmly in the presence of God by conversing all the time with Him...we should feed our soul with a lofty conception of God and from that derive great joy in being his. We should put life in our faith. We should give ourselves utterly to God in pure abandonment, in temporal and spiritual matters alike, and find contentment in the doing of His will,whether he takes us through sufferings or consolations.”

Giving Should Soul Matter Spiritual Joy Suffering Pure Contentment Conception Consolation Abandonment Lofty Presence Of God Great Joy

Author:Brother Lawrence

“O my God, since thou art with me, and i must now, in obedience to thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, i beseech thee to grant me the grace to continue in thy presence; and to this end do thou prosper me with thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections." (Bro. Lawrence implored His grace and offered to Him all his actions).”

Mind Art Ends Action Grace Affection Command Thee Obedience Grants Assistance Presence Of God Bros

Book:The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of a Holy Life

Source: The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of a Holy Life

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”

Littles Greatness Humility Ought Regard God Love Little Things Weary Presence Of God

Book:The Practice of the Presence of God

Source: The Practice of the Presence of God

“I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is insupportable.”

Persons I Can Soul Religious Practice Imagine Depth Satisfied My Soul Centre Retired Presence Of God Fear Nothing Religious Person

Book:The Practice of the Presence of God

Source: The Practice of the Presence of God

“That we should establish ourselves in a sense of GOD’s Presence, by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation, to think of trifles and fooleries.”

Thinking Should Conversation Quitting Trifles Shameful Presence Of God God's Presence Foolery

Book:The Practice of the Presence of God and Spiritual Maxims

Source: The Practice of the Presence of God and Spiritual Maxims

“I drove away from my mind everything capable of spoiling the sense of the presence of God.... I just make it my business to persevere in His holy presence... My soul has had an habitual, silent, secret conversation with God.”

Mind Soul Prayer Secret Holy Conversation Worship Capable Silent My Soul Persevere Habitual Presence Of God Conversations With God

Author:Brother Lawrence

“One way to recollect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it strictly in the presence of God; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.”

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Book:The Brother Lawrence Collection

Source: The Brother Lawrence Collection

“That 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 that 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; yet hoped that GOD would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger.”

Source: The Practice of the Presence of God and Spiritual Maxims

“I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to GOD, which I may call an actual presence of GOD, or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with GOD, which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.”

Source: The Practice of the Presence of God and The Spiritual Maxims

“The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God. That means finding constant pleasure in His divine company, speaking humbly and lovingly with him in all seasons, at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way.”

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Book:Spiritual Maxims of Brother Lawrence

Source: Spiritual Maxims of Brother Lawrence