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One of the purest souls ever to live on this fallen planet was Nicholas Herman, known as Brother Lawrence. He wrote very little, but what he wrote has seemed to several generations of Christians to be so rare and so beautiful as to deserve a place near the top among the world's great books of devotion. The writings of Brother Lawrence are the ultimate in simplicity; ideas woven like costly threads to make a pattern of great beauty.
... A.W. Tozer
A truth which constantly recurs in Holy Scripture is that the arm of God is not shortened, since His mercy cannot be exhausted by our miseries. The power of His grace is no less great today than it ever was. God wished to keep saints for Himself... These saints would pay Him a respect worthy of His grandeur and majesty and would be models of virtue because of the holy example they set.
God was not content to have these extraordinary people born in the early centuries only. He still raises up those who perfectly fulfill the duties of a saint, and who guard the fruits of the Spirit in themselves, transmit them, and make them live again in others.
... Joseph de Beaufort
The Lord walks among the pots and pans.
... Teresa of Avila
Brother Lawrence is well established in the affection of spiritual souls of all denominations and every shade of Christian thought. As a cook he learned to turn the modest service into a kind of worship. "We can do little things for God," he said. "I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of Him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before Him who has given me grace to work. Afterwards I rise happier than a king."
... A.W. Tozer
There are in this world human beings
in solitary places who have answered the Lord's call to make of their lives a little flame, always bright, always attentive to His Presence.
... Conrad De Meester
Practicing the presence of God is not on trial. Countless saints have already proved it. Indeed, the spiritual giants of all ages have known it. The results of this effort begin to show clearly in a month. They grow rich after six months, and glorious after ten years. This is the secret of the great saints of all ages. 'Pray without ceasing,' said Paul, 'in everything make your wants known unto God.' 'As many as are led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God.'
... Frank Laubach
Dear child, cast yourself down before God in the depths of your humility, and say in your heart, "Lord, I am the least of all the creatures that Thou hast made." Hold yourself in meekness of spirit; and then you will know that God is a short word which has a long meaning. Exercise yourself diligently, grow not weary; and then you shall perceive that which before was hidden from you.
... John Tauler
I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.
... Meister Eckhart
Some people, having been dealt with by God, live before Him in weakness and trembling. They have not the slightest tinge of pride for they have touched the Lord and are fully fed. They are in possession of a satisfaction in the presence of God, and this satisfaction is their strength.
...Watchman Nee
There is one vice of which no one in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people ever imagine that they are guilty themselves.
The vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. All other vices are mere fleabites in comparison. Pride leads to every other vice. As long as you are proud you cannot know God.
... C. S. Lewis
The least known among the virtues and also the most misunderstood is the virtue of humility. Yet, it is the very groundwork of Christianity. Humility is a grace of the soul that cannot be expressed in words and is only known by experience. It is an unspeakable treasure of God, and only can be called the gift of God. "Learn," He said, not from angels, not from men, not from books; but learn from My presence, light, and action within you, "that I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls".
... William Bernard Ullathorne
I do not know whether anyone has ever succeeded in not enjoying praise. And, if he enjoys it, he naturally wants to receive it. And if he wants to receive it, he cannot help but being distraught at losing it. Those who are in love with applause have their spirits starved not only when they are blamed off-hand, but even when they fail to be constantly praised.
... John Chrysostom
If we would completely rejoice the heart of God, let us strive in all things to conform ourselves to His divine will. Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite
ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us.
Conformity signifies that we join our wills to the will of God. Uniformity means more. Uniformity means that we make one will of God's will and our will. In this way we will only what God wills. God's will alone is our will.
... Alphonsus De Ligouri
Father, we ask for nothing beyond what Thy Son has told us to ask. We beg for no signs or wonders, but for Thy breath upon our souls, Thy spirit in our hearts. We pray for no cloven tongues of fire, for no mighty rousing of brain or imagination; but we do, with all our power of prayer, pray for Thy spirit. We do not even pray to know that it is given to us. Let us, if so it pleases Thee, remain in doubt of the gift for years to come but lead us nonetheless.
... George MacDonald
Man has no peace in the world, but he has no disturbance when he is with God.
... Bernard of Claiveaux
Experience has told us that good resolutions are not enough. We need to discipline our lives to an ordered regime. So many of us have found the idea of turning to Christ once every minute to be enormously helpful. It is a practice as old as Enoch, who walked with God. It is a way of living which nearly everybody knows and nearly everybody has ignored.
... Frank Laubach
Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them.
... Fulton Sheen
Put to death the parts of you that are worldly; immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and all idolatrous greed. By these you once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away; anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene talk. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and put on the new self which is being renewed for knowledge of Our Father and Creator.
... Colossians 3:5-11
Those who, in a day of peace, set themselves at Christ's feet to be taught by Him, may, with comfort, in a day of trouble, cast themselves at His feet to find favour with Him.
... Matthew Henry
For those who live according to the world are concerned with the things of the world, but those who live according to the kingdom of God with the things of the kingdom of God. The concern of the world is death, but the concern of the kingdom of God is life and peace. For the concern of the world is hostility toward God; it does not submit to the law of God, nor can it; and those who are of the world cannot please God.
... Romans 8:5-9
There is no master so large-minded, so generous, who is so well acquainted with you and your requirements as God; no father so loving and bountiful; no friend so free from all jealousy; none who so completely loves you for your greater good.
There is no tyrant so narrow-minded, so proud-hearted, so exacting, so suspicious, so utterly bent on keeping you to your own littleness, as the one we all know so well, of whose tyranny we have had such bitter experience, and who goes by the name of Myself. Yet God or yourself you must choose for your master.
... William Bernard Ullathorne
It is good that we sometimes endure contradictions and are harshly and unfairly judged when we do and mean what is good. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vain-glory. When others speak falsely of us and give us no credit for good, then we earnestly seek the witness of God.
...Thomas a Kempis
The proud seek every means imaginable to obtain for themselves an advantageous place in the eyes of others. The humble make every effort not only to avoid applause and praise of others, but even withdraw from the honorable estimations people could have of them.
... A.W. Tozer
We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.
Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don't want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of "good time" is seldom in sync with ours.
... Oswald Chambers
Prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an untroubled glance toward heaven, a cry of gratitude and love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as from the heights of joy. It has a supernatural grandeur which expands the soul and unites it with God.
... Therese of Lisieux
Those who give themselves to prayer should concentrate solely on the conformity of their wills with the divine will. The more fully they practice this, the greater the gifts they will receive from God and the greater their progress in the interior life.
... Teresa of Avila
We pray to God urgently that He may do what is pleasing to Him, as if He were to say, "How could you please me more than by entreating me, urgently and sincerely, to do the thing that I want to have done?" In this way the soul, by prayer, is made of one accord with God.
... Juliana of Norwich
There is no better thing than to pray for what God already wants to give.
... John Calvin
Prayer is so simple. It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into the very presence of God. There, in the stillness, to listen to His voice, perhaps in petition or only to listen. It matters not. Just to be there in His presence is prayer.
... author unknown
Instead of talking to yourself, form the habit of talking to Christ. Some of us who have done this find it so much better that we never want the other way again. No practice we have ever found has held the mind as much as this: making all thought a conversation with the Lord. When evil thoughts of any kind come, say, 'Lord, these thoughts are not fit to discuss with you. Lord, you do the thinking. Renew my mind by your presence.'
... Frank Laubach
To pray truly means to direct the thought and the memory, without relaxing, to the recollection of God, to walk in God's divine Presence, to awaken oneself to God's love by thinking about God, and to link the Name of God with one's breathing and the beating of one's heart.
... The Russian Pilgrim
My soul wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense. I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory. The rock of my strength and my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, ye people. Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us.
... Psalm 62:5-8
Prayer covers the whole of life. There is no thought, feeling, yearning, or desire, however low, trifling, or vulgar we may deem it, which, if it affects our interest or happiness, we may not lay before God and be sure of His sympathy. His nature is such that our often coming does not tire Him. The whole burden of the whole life of every man may be rolled onto God and not weary Him, though it has wearied the man.
... Henry Ward Beecher
The first thing to be done after taking the narrow way is to shut the world out of consideration and look only to the approval of God.
... William Bernard Ullathorne
The condition of God's blessing is absolute surrender of all into His hands. If our hearts are willing for that, there is no end to what God will do for us and no end to the blessings He will bestow. God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your own strength or by the power of your will. God is willing to work it in you and for you. The Everlasting God Himself will come in and turn out what is wrong, conquer what is evil, and work what is well pleasing in His blessed sight. God Himself will work it in you.
... Andrew Murray
The readiest way to escape from our sufferings is to be willing that they should endure as long as God pleases.
...John Wesley
When one reaches a point where he seeks no solace from any creature, then he begins to relish God perfectly. Then also he will be content no matter what may happen. He will neither rejoice over great things nor grieve over small ones, but will place himself entirely and confidently in the hands of God, Who is All in All.
... Thomas a Kempis
God makes men aware of their misery before He reveals His mercy and love.
... Jonathan Edwards
Though the harrow go over and over thy soul, and the deep plow cut into thy very heart, though thou be maimed and wounded, and left for dead, yet if the Spirit of God does it, it is a blessing indeed.
.... Charles Spurgeon
If we believe, everything is illuminated and takes shape around us, risk no longer exists, and success takes on an incorruptible fullness; pain becomes a visit and a caress from God.
... Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Children, seek ye not after great science. Simply enter into yourself and learn to know what you are, spiritually and naturally. Do not dive into the secret things of God, asking questions about the efflux and reflux of the Aught into the Naught or questions about the essence of the soul's spark.
For Christ has said: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power." Therefore, let us maintain a true, entire, and simple faith.
... John Tauler
He who runs from God in the morning, will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.
... John Bunyan
Live in a way that pleases God. This should be your ambition: to live a
quiet life, minding your own business, and working with your hands.
... 1 Thessalonians 4:1 and 11
When we live in harmony with the Lord, it is joy and delight to linger in His presence.
... Charles Dickens
The carpenter can do better work if he talks quietly to God about each task, as Jesus surely did when He was a carpenter.
... Frank Laubach
We often try to help God along. Many times we even try to answer our own prayers. If we can just help God spruce up His image a little, we can get more people on His side. And that's what He wants us to do, right?
Wrong. He wants us to pray. Always and about everything. During times of joy as well as sorrow. He wants us to talk to Him, not about Him. He even wants us to talk to Him about unbelievers before we talk to unbelievers about Him.
... Oswald Chambers
Love is not the cause of forgiveness. Forgiveness causes love.
.... William Tyndale
Purity of heart is not achieved by brute force or by becoming tense about it. We must simply lose ourselves completely. Sweep away everything, even the sharp perception of our distress. We must make room for God. We must accept our poverty. We must renounce all that weighs us down, even the weight of our own faults.
We must see nothing but the glory of God and bask in it. God is. That suffices. The heart then becomes bouyant. It no longer feels its own weight but becomes as light as the lark in the sky. Then we have abandoned all care, all worry. Our desire for perfection has changed into a simple and pure will for God.
... Francis of Assisi
I do not desire consolation that robs me of contrition. Nor do I care for contemplation that leads to pride. For not all that is high is holy, nor is all that is sweet good. Every desire is not pure. And not all that is dear to us is pleasing to God. I accept willingly the grace to become more humble, more contrite, and more willing to renounce myself.
... Thomas a Kempis
Father, knowing ourselves only as poor and feeble, aware only of ordinary and common movements of mind and soul, may we yet be possessed by Thy spirit, led by Thy will in ours. All things in a human, even those that seem the commonest and least uplifted, are the creation of Thy heart, and by the lowly doors of our wavering judgment, dull imagination, luke-warm love, and palsied will, Thou canst enter and glorify all. Give us patience because our hope is in Thee, not in ourselves. Work Thy will in us, and our prayers are ended.
... George MacDonald
We cannot offer God anything more pleasing than to say: Take us, Lord, we give thee our entire will. Only let us know thy will and we will carry it out.
... Alphonsus De Ligouri
When thou prayest, it is better that thy heart be without words than thy words be without heart.
... John Bunyan
Troubles and pain come to those who practice God's presence, as they came to Jesus, but these seem not so important as compared to their new joyous experience. If we have spent our days with Him, we find that when earthquakes, fires, famines or other catastrophes threaten us, we are not terrified any more than Paul was in time of shipwreck. 'Perfect love casteth out fear.'
... Frank Laubach
If we are to live unto God at any
time or in any place, we are to live unto Him at all times and in all places. If we are to use anything as the gift of God, we are to use everything as His gift.
... William Law
What does God ask of us? Not that we should be stronger than we are, but that we should confess our weakness and accept His strength.
... William Bernard Ullathorne
The true Christian conception of property is stewardship; the holding of the gifts of God for His service, and subject to His direction, and for His glory.
This is the sovereign remedy for avarice and the grasping spirit of the world, and we are never consecrated until all is laid, absolutely and forever, at His feet, and held there, subject constantly to His will.
... A.B. Simpson
At a time when you did not know God, you became slaves to things that are not of God. But now that you have come to know God, or, rather, to be known by God, how difficult it would be to turn back again to the weak and destitute elemental powers and be slaves to them all over again.
... Galatians 4:4-9
It is christianity to do good always -even to those who do evil to us. It is christianity to love our neighbor as ourself, and to do to all men as we would have them do to us.
It is christianity to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our love of God, but always to show that we love him by humbly trying to do right in everything.
... Charles Dickens
I'm afraid that many of us often mistake our prejudices for our convictions. ... But we must remember that not what we've been taught or what our fathers believed or the way we were raised is the standard of Christian behavior, but the Word of God. Always!
... Ray C. Stedman
The Lord is all and in all. If today I am patient, it is not I but He who lives in me who is patient. If today I love, it is not because I try my best to love, for the power of love is not in me; but it is because there is One who loves in me. If today I am humble, it is not because I remind myself how proud I am and, therefore need to be humble. He is my humility, I therefore am humble.
...Watchman Nee
Let us not seek to do the work God must do. Let us simply trust Him to do it. Our duty is to seek a prepared heart in waiting, longing, and praying and in studying, gazing, loving, worshipping, and believing that the wonderful vision of Christ is the promise of what we can be. Then, putting aside all that can distract, in stillness of soul, silent unto God, we allow His Light to do the work.
... Andrew Murray
Do not allow yourself to become preoccupied with the purity of your own heart. Instead, turn your gaze toward God. Marvel over God. Rejoice that He is the All Holy One. When you are thus focused on God, do not glance back at yourself. Do not ask yourself where you stand with God. Instead, lift your gaze higher.
Purity of heart is not developing oneself to the utmost, nor is it an achievement of one's own doing. It is at first a void which one discovers and accepts in oneself. Only then does God come to fill the void according to how much one makes oneself receptive to God's bounty.
... Francis of Assisi
We know not how we should act if brought into temptation. Let us watch and pray without ceasing, that we might not be left to ourselves.
... Matthew Henry
Liberty does not consist in the power of acting independently of the progress of life and the influences arising from it, but in the capacity for recognizing and acknowledging the revealed truth, and becoming the free and joyful participator in the eternal and infinite work of God, the life of the world.
Or, on the other hand, liberty consists in the capacity for refusing to recognize the truth, and so being a miserable and reluctant slave dragged whither he has no desire to go.
... Leo Tolstoi
The success of the gospel often makes wicked people so angry, that they speak and act as if they hoped to obtain a victory over the Almighty Himself.
... Matthew Henry
Let God act. Abandon yourself to Him. You will suffer, but you will suffer with love, peace and consolation. You will fight, but you can carry off the victory, and God Himself will crown you with His own hand. You will weep, but your tears will be sweet, and God Himself will come to dry them.
You will not be free any longer to give yourself up to your tyrannic passions, but you will sacrifice your liberty freely, and you will enter into a new liberty unknown to the world in which you will do nothing except for love of God.
... Francois Fenelon
The notion that religion is dull, stupid and sleepy is abhorrent to God, for He has created infinite variety and He loves to surprise us. If you are weary of some sleepy form of devotion, probably God is as weary of it as you are.
... Frank Laubach
In the secret of God's tabernacle no enemy can find us, and no troubles can reach us. The pride of man and the strife of tongues find no entrance into the pavilion of God. The secret of His presence is a more secure refuge than a thousand Gibraltars.
I do not mean that no trials come. They may come in abundance, but they cannot penetrate into the sanctuary of the soul, and we may dwell in perfect peace even in the midst of life's fiercest storms.
... Hannah Whitall Smith
Hope means hoping when things are hopeless or it is no virtue at all. It is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength.
... G. K. Chesterton
A time comes when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
... 2 Timothy 4:3-5
It is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience, they are not the better for having heard the truth.
... A.W. Tozer
So, can you make it through the dangers, toils and snares of this dangerous world? Of course you can, if you love your Leader, heed His warnings, and lay hold of His resources. Without Him you cannot succeed; with Him you cannot fail!
... Ray C. Stedman
"The kingdom of God is within you," says the Lord. Turn, then, to God with all your heart. Devote yourself to those things that are within and you will see the kingdom of God come unto you, that kingdom which is peace and joy.
...Thomas a Kempis
The first degree of humility is obedience without delay.
... Benedict of Nursia
Prayer of Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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The Practice of the Presence of God is a way of life where we engage in continual conversation with God; walk with Him in love, humility, simplicity, and faith; and think, say, and do nothing that may displease Him; because this is God's will for us.
© Light Heart
www.PracticeGodsPresence.com
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