Contents
Only God
The Silent 'Thank You, Father'
Plain Talk
The Closer Walk
A Simple Act of Faith
Only God
1. Brother Lawrence left the gift of a way of life available to anyone who seeks to know God and live in His peace and presence; that anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can practice -anywhere, anytime.
In the small book, 'The Practice Of The Presence Of God', Brother Lawrence beautifully explains, through letters and conversations, how to come to know God. His simple approach, a continuous, prayerful conversation with God, enables us to come to know Him - not from the head but from the heart; a way many of us have never known before.
"Pay little attention to the beautiful words and subtle discourse of the wise of the earth. Woe to those who look to human knowledge to satisfy their curiosity. It is the Creator who teaches the truth and instructs the heart of the humble."
... Brother Lawrence
Only God reveals Himself to us. Only God reveals Himself to a humble heart that is sincerely open to Him and a will that is surrendered to His will and ways. The only way God does this is through a relationship with us. Our Father reveals Himself in all His love and truth through a private and continual conversation of mind, heart, and soul. This is the way God shapes us into His image and likeness according to His unique plan for each of us.
God reveals Himself through the living word of The Gospel which is His message delivered by the Son of God, Son of Man. However, we can only truly understand the message, even two thousand years later, by engaging in the same kind of union the Son, Jesus Christ, had with Our Father. And only God, our Creator, can open our eyes to see and our ears to hear the revelation of His Son.
Only God makes Himself known to us. No one else can do it. We cannot do it for each other. Each of us must find the gate, enter, and walk the humble path accompanied by the certain guidance of the very Son of God. In this way we practice the presence of God and approach the "Father of mercies, who is always ready to receive us affectionately."
God welcomes each of His children with open arms. He makes no exceptions. He has no exclusions. The greater the sinner, the wider are His arms open to His child. Our Father wants us to know Him.
"Woe to those who look to human knowledge..." If there is one word that we must learn to see and take seriously, it is the word 'woe'. This word, which is often considered outdated, often minimized or ignored, and even scoffed at, is a very important word in the practice of God's presence.
More than just an expression of emphasis, the word 'woe' is a verbal danger flag. It means caution; heed and take warning! There is a tone of great sorrow, mournfulness, and lament in this word. We find it only once in Brother Lawrence's words. In the four books of The Gospel, we see that Our Lord used it sparingly but purposefully.
When we come upon this word, we need to pause, look to God's indwelling presence, and ask Him to search us and point out our faults. As God is the 'Father of mercies', He gives us fresh insight and allows this word to wake us out of our sleep when we ask Him. He wipes away our past transgressions when we repent and gives us His strength to move forward in our new awareness.
Depending on human knowledge to satisfy our curiosity about truth leads to self-centeredness, conceit, arrogance, and all the other ugly faces of pride. Whether we ourselves become experts, specialists, high priests, or gurus, or whether we look to others who call themselves by those and similar names, it is all the same. When we place our power, because that is what it is, in human knowledge, we are headed for corruption of the worst kind imaginable.
May God bring any of us who are still on that road to the terrifying, but ultimately liberating, place where we must confront the fact that, for all we know, we know nothing. May God bring any of us who are still on that road into as many humbling and humiliating situations as it takes to get our attention.
Only God can do this. Only God can show us that we cannot understand, through human knowledge, what is in the province of the divine and belongs to Him alone. Only Our Father can show us the uselessness of knowing about God without knowing Him personally. God is the only one who can move us from faulty and self-centered human 'head knowledge' to perfect and God-centered 'heart knowledge'. May He do this and continue to do this through all the days of our lives!
2. In practicing God's presence we put aside the complications of worldliness and, as Our Dear Lord said, "become as little children." No matter our age, when we do this, we begin to see more clearly. In simple faith we discover:
God is our perfect parent. He loves us more than we can ever imagine. He has a thousand ways of showering us with His affection. He supports, encourages, and cheers us on. He scolds and corrects us when we are wrong, but ever so gently.
God is the One who is always there, the perfect friend and partner. He always has time for us and wants to hear everything we have to say. It is all important to Him. He understands it all, even when we think no one could possibly understand how we think or feel. God understands. He listens and He cares.
In an upside-down world of illusion and deception, a world where appearances are not what they seem, God is real. God created, and allows to exist, all of it, both good and bad, so we may live with our eyes open, see clearly, and choose His Goodness. When our eyelids get heavy and we begin to doze off, God finds a way to awaken us and provides another chance to choose His Love and Goodness.
"He embraces me with love. He makes me eat at His table. He serves me with His own hands and gives me the key to His treasures. He converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways."
... Brother Lawrence
We discover there is really only one way to know God. We have to be willing to have a personal relationship with Him. It has to be an affair of the heart, a primary relationship where no one or nothing else meddles or interferes.
If we put God first, in addition to being our perfect parent, friend, and partner, we discover that God is our boss, our master, our king. Fair, understanding, and patient, He showers great rewards on those who report directly to Him and get the job done. He hands out assignments appropriate to each of us and loves each of us the same for completing our tasks. He informs us that, in the end, each task and job is the same - to love, honor, and serve Him. God is the One.
- God is the One who never lets us down, never disappoints us. He's the One we can always count on. He never breaks a promise. God's love is everlasting.
- God is the one who picks us up when we fall, carries us when we are too sick or too tired to walk. If we have to go an extra mile, He takes us.
- God gives us courage to step apart from the crowd, courage to take a stand, and courage to stand alone.
- He slows us down when we go too fast and hurries us along when we dawdle.
- God is our strength in doing the hard things and, even sometimes, makes the hard things easy.
- With God we are never alone. His presence is kind and gentle and He comforts us with tender care.
Some people hold the idea that, since we can never fully know or understand God, we should not bother, we should not even try. But that is just the opposite of what God wants.
God wants us to know Him. Our Father wants us to try. He wants us to ask. God wants us to bring Him all our questions. He wants us to understand Him because He completely understands us. Brother Lawrence wrote, "We have a God who is infinitely gracious and knows all our wants."
For all He gives, God asks so little in return. All He asks is that we love, honor, and serve Him and place nothing between ourselves and Him. He wants to be number one with us as we are with Him.
God is pleased when we call upon Him. He wants us to lean on Him. Our Father wants us to hear His kind and gentle words of encouragement. In conversation He prefers simplicity and directness. Fuss and fancy words are unnecessary. "Thank You, God" and "Thank You, Father" are most satisfactory. Plain talk and an easy exchange of words and thoughts throughout the day are His delight.
3. "God has infinite treasure to bestow. When He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favors plentifully. There they flow like a torrent, spreading with impetuosity and abundance." ... Brother Lawrence
A monk prayed for seven years for God to send him a spiritual director who could show him the way to living in God's love. One day he was guided by an inner voice that said, "Go to the church door. There you will find a person who will show you the way to Me."
Upon arriving at the church door, he found a barefoot and ragged beggar. The monk greeted the beggar with "have a good day," then stood patiently waiting for the person God promised to send.
The beggar stood next to the monk and said, "Thank you for your friendly greeting. I shall have a good day. I have never been unhappy. In my whole life I have known nothing but happiness."
The monk looked questioningly into the soft eyes of the ragged and barefoot beggar. The beggar continued, "I have never had a bad day. Bad days come only when we do not employ them in honoring God by our submission and gratitude. If I am hungry and no one gives me anything to eat, I praise God. If I am exposed to rain, snow, and wind, I thank God. If others look upon my poverty with contempt, I praise God's glory."
"I simply desire whatever God brings me and am grateful. So, I am able to accept the bitter and the sweet with equal joy. I know everything comes from God's
hand and God knows what is best for me. In God's presence I am completely happy."
The monk, of course, now realized that this was the spiritual director for whom he had prayed. He stood quietly for a moment, questions racing through his head. Finally, the monk asked, "Where have you found God?"
The beggar gently smiled and said, "I found Him when I took leave of all creatures. I found Him in my inmost heart. When I am silent with men I am able to converse with God and with Him I always find perfect peace."
The Silent 'Thank You, Father'
1. "Please give Him thanks with me for His great goodness which I can never sufficiently express, and for the many favors He has done to so miserable a sinner as I am. May all things praise Him. Amen." ... Brother Lawrence
The most powerful expression of practicing God's presence is The Silent 'Thank You, Father'. These three words are the very essence of the holy habit. This phrase is the secret to living on earth and in heaven in continual conversation with God. It can start us and keep us moving forward on the path of practicing God's presence -no matter what.
The Silent 'Thank You, Father', is voiced from the heart. We repeat it inwardly at all times and in all circumstances -no matter what. In this way, The Silent 'Thank You, Father' brings us into instant awareness and communion with God.
We learn from Brother Lawrence that the things necessary for the practice of the presence of God are love, humility, simplicity, and faith. Contained within the three words, 'Thank You, Father', is a complete expression of love, humility, simplicity, and faith. When silently spoken at all times and in all circumstances -no matter what, 'Thank You, Father' expresses our accord with His good pleasure, His holy will.
2. The Silent 'Thank You, Father' is a full expression of our love because gratitude is our most natural way of appreciating love bestowed. When we love and love deeply, we cannot help but say 'Thank You' over and over again. When we love and love deeply, we cannot say it enough.
The Silent 'Thank You, Father' is a full expression of humility because, when silently spoken in all circumstances -no matter what, we tell Our Father that His will be done. Despite outward appearances to our weak and limited vision, we acknowledge that He knows best and it is good!
The Silent 'Thank You, Father' is a full expression of simplicity because these three words, and these three words alone, are enough. The phrase is complete and says all we can utter in word or thought.
It is helpful to think of this expression as a 'thank you gift' we give to God. How easy and natural it is to say 'Thank you' when we are pleased. The 'thank you gift' is given almost instinctively. How difficult and unnatural to say 'Thank you' when we are displeased, offended, or hurt. Yet one 'thank you gift' given at such a time is worth more to Our Father than many 'thank you gifts' given when we are pleased.
The Silent 'Thank You, Father' is a full expression of faith because trust in Our Lord is the very foundation of living in God's presence. One of the words most often used by Brother Lawrence is the word trust. We can only believe what, in our hearts, we know to be true.
Sometimes, especially in the beginning, our faith is weak and we feel uncertain. We need only look to God and say, 'Lord, increase my faith' and He will do it! Whenever doubt begins to creep in or we feel unsure about offering these words to Him, we beg, 'Lord, increase my faith,' and He will respond.
How much better and faster this is than trying to use our own limited intelligence to search for answers and proof. How much more direct and gentle this is than running off on our own path full of detours and obstacles that so often lead nowhere or, even worse, keep us spinning in circles that become deep ruts. How much easier to do it God's way with simple gratitude.
3. The practice of the presence of God, which Brother Lawrence called the holy habit, is like any other professional practice in that it requires that we do some things in a specific way. As God's creatures of habit, the practice of the presence of God is the way to transform our habits into habits that are holy and pleasing to God.
The Silent 'Thank You, Father' is the very essence of our becoming established in the practice of the presence of God. When we make this a habit, when it becomes deeply rooted, second nature, we derive enormous benefits from this simple, three word phrase.
The beginning is not easy. We sometimes feel like a hypocrite silently saying, 'Thank You, Father' when someone offends us or the circumstances are anything but pleasant. But Our Father knows. He cares. If we tell Him we feel like a hypocrite but are saying it because we know it pleases Him, He will help us. God's help is unfailing when we do His will. So we must be relentless in our pursuit of establishing this habit. We must say, 'Thank You, Father' over and over, again and again. We must say it silently at all times and in all circumstances -no matter what. No one hears us. No one can stop us when we persist and persevere.
It often happens that as soon as we seriously commit to saying, 'Thank You, Father', all hell on earth breaks loose! Brother Lawrence described it this way, "It seemed to me that all creatures, reason, and God Himself were against me and faith alone for me." An observer, during my own time of trial, testing, and refining said that God was shaking me out like a rag doll.
Oh, but Dear One, no matter how many times we say 'Thank You, Father' and need to add, 'Lord, increase my faith', He will do it. If we persist and persevere, talk to Him, tell Him everything, and keep our eyes fastened on Him, Our Father will be there for us -no matter what!
4. In time, when we diligently apply ourselves, this phrase transforms our entire outlook and assures a dynamic, personal relationship with God. Sometimes, just the thought of silently saying, 'Thank You, Father' will flood our heart with His radiant presence. We may become so aware of this sense of presence that, should we slip out of it, we automatically form the words within.
At the very least, we will recognize when something is not quite right. If we slip into a mood or a troubled frame of mind, a round of 'Thank You, Father', sometimes a vigorous round of many repetitions, will bring us back into His holy presence.
This beautiful phrase is a prayer which acts much like the classic Jesus Prayer: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Have mercy on me, a poor sinner." When we inscribe these short, yet complete, prayers into the very fiber of our being, we form a lasting and holy habit of expressing our love, humility, simplicity, and faith.
Plain Talk
1. "If, in this life, we might enjoy the peace of paradise, we must accustom ourselves to a familiar, humble, and affectionate conversation with God." ... Brother Lawrence
God created us that we might discover and enjoy the kingdom of His presence on earth as it is in heaven. We do this through the practice of the presence of God, what Brother Lawrence, in the seventeenth century, called establishing the holy habit. To become established in the practice of the presence of God we need to acquire new habits. We do this by developing a personal relationship with Our Father through constant communion with Him.
As we begin to form a habit of engaging in a silent conversation of the heart with God, it is most helpful to use some of the beautiful existing prayers. The Lord's Prayer is the perfect model for all our conversation with Our Father. Though we may not use 'Thy' and 'Thou' in our ongoing conversation, from formal prayer we learn to appreciate how these words reflect special honor and respect for God.
When we continually converse with God throughout the day by using simple and honest words, our talk becomes prayerful in that we speak to Our Father in a way that acknowledges that He, Our Creator, knows us better than we know ourselves.
In a letter, Brother Lawrence wrote: "Gradually become accustomed to worship Him in this way: to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time, even every moment if you can. Act in faith with love and humility."
The key to our constant communion with God, then, is love and humility. These come naturally as we become established in practicing God's presence. All we need to do is read the following comment to see the result of our acquiring the holy habit:
"Brother Lawrence said that the worst that could happen to him was to lose that sense of God which he had enjoyed so long. Yet the goodness of God assured him He would not forsake him and that God would give him strength to bear whatever evil He permitted to happen to him."
What more could we possibly have in this life? Dear One, this is the very real blessing and assurance we enjoy in practicing the presence of God.
2. "Brother Lawrence decided to sacrifice his life with its pleasures to God. He entered a monastery thinking that he would there be made to smart for his awkwardness and faults. But he said that God had surprised him because he met with nothing but satisfaction in that state."
One of the gifts of the practice of the presence of God is a sense of relief, an almost indescribable joy over what it is to be released from the stranglehold of worldly things. At the same time, we find new delight in enjoying all the things of God in the world. What a relief!
Along with our relief comes a tremendous sense of gratitude for Our Father's carrying us on this path. All the searching, the seeking, the knocking and tapping; all the discontent, longing, and restlessness of the soul reaching out for sometimes we know not what; and, then, Our Father draws us into the clear reality of His gentle presence. We now know that in God's presence is where we make our home. Whatever the toll, whatever the price, no matter the cost, we are glad and more to pay it. In quiet joy we say: Isn't it a relief
- to discover we can talk to Our Father directly,
- to discover that our thirsty hearts must no longer search; that what, so deep inside, seemed unquenchable, can be filled to overflowing and with grace abounding,
- to know that God is not some future goal or past memory but a 'right this moment' presence,
- to know that our simplicity and humility pleases God,
- to know God is personal, real, abiding, and everlasting,
- to know that God has a soft spot for great sinners and
late bloomers,
- to know nothing can prevent our conversing with God,
- to know that, even if we quit Him, He never quits us,
- to know the only one we have to please is God,
- to know He owns everything and all we need be is good stewards,
- Isn't it a relief to hear His words, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
3. Brother Lawrence wrote, "I think it is appropriate to tell you how I perceive myself before God, whom I behold as my King. I consider myself as the most wretched of men. I am full of faults, flaws, and weaknesses, and have committed all sorts of crimes against his King. Touched with a sensible regret I confess all my wickedness to Him. I ask His forgiveness. I abandon myself in His hands that He may do what He pleases with me."
"My King is full of mercy and goodness. Far from chastising me, He embraces me with love. He makes me eat at His table. He serves me with His own hands and gives me the key to His treasures. He converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways. And He treats me in all respects as His favorite."
In light of Brother Lawrence's words about asking God for His forgiveness, we might wonder what would have happened if Adam and Eve had gone to God and sincerely said, "I'm sorry?"
Many see the account of the first children in a very negative way. How often we hear or read something like this: God made us with a sinful nature. When we disobey, He punishes us. That's just the way it is. We were born in sin and that is the way we stay. It is all because of original sin.
But, to see the real story, we have to look at it through God's eyes and feel it from His heart. In Genesis we find a portrayal of the most loving parent imaginable. A warm, caring, and generous father, He created every good thing for His children. Male and female, equal in His likeness, they are His precious ones.
God knew they were innocent. So, like any loving parent, God gave Adam and Eve instruction, some fatherly advice, for their own protection. How it must have broken God's heart to discover that His children disobeyed Him. He, in His wisdom, knew how much harm they would do themselves if they did not listen to Him.
But the real heartbreaker comes next. This is the place where any loving parent would have given anything for a sincere "I'm sorry." Instead, what happens is a parent's worst nightmare. The original children blame each other. To add insult to injury they blame it on the snake. They refuse to take responsibility for their actions. Adam even insinuated that it was His father's fault because He was the one who gave Adam that partner, Eve.
God did what, for any parent, is the hardest thing they ever have to do. He kicked them out of the house. Tough Love. If only they could have said, right then and there, "I'm sorry."
But the story doesn't end there. God did what a parent has to do. And He did it with a heart that was breaking. He had to kick them out. Yet, He never stopped loving them. He never, for a second, stopped caring about them.
In the Holy Bible, we find story upon story about God's parental care and concern for His children. And finally, when He saw that His children were in danger of becoming hopelessly lost, He sent His Own Son to reclaim and redeem them.
Jesus came with Our Father's message of love. He came to tell us that Our Father is waiting. He loves us more than we can humanly imagine. With our sincere 'I'm sorry', He will embrace us and shower us with His grace.
The Closer Walk
"I walk before God simply, in faith, with humility, and with love. I apply myself diligently to do nothing and think nothing which may displease Him. I hope that when I have done what I can, He will do with me what He pleases." ... Brother Lawrence
The practice of the presence of God is a way of life available to anyone who desires to experience the fullness of a personal relationship with God. Brother Lawrence referred to this way of life as living 'the holy habit'. He called it the true profession of every Christian.
To practice the presence of God is to live in the conscious awareness of Our Father, engaging in quiet and continuous conversation with Him. It means we live an inner life of unceasing prayer and we strive for all we think, say, and do to be an outward reflection of what is pleasing to God.
To practice the presence of God is to simply and humbly walk the closer walk. It is a closer walk because each day our hope is to get closer, to be closer to Our Lord than we were the day before. Ever closer. As both a direction and a goal, this closer walk is also a very potent, private, and personal awareness of the present moment with God. He lives in us as we live in Him.
How can anything this simple, this basic, be so profound and precious? Yet, it is. How can this walk, this conversation, this practice bring us any closer to Him than we are right now? Yet, it does. Thank You, Father.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
from 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee', author unknown
A Simple Act of Faith
"We only deceive ourselves by seeking or loving God for any favors which He has or may grant us. Such favors, no matter how great, can never bring us as near to God as can one simple act of faith." ... Brother Lawrence
1. Of all of Brother Lawrence's words, these two sentences may, perhaps, be the most confusing. The first part is fairly simple. It is easy for us to see that only seeking and loving God for His favors and gifts can lead us to difficulty; everything from disappointments over our poor requests to taking God for granted. This can become a selfish, one-way relationship with God where our first thought is: "What's in it for me?" However, we must certainly depend on God for all things including asking His favors. But what of a simple act of faith? What is it? What makes it better?
A simple act of faith requires two things: trust and obedience. To perform this act we take no thought for ourselves. A simple act of faith is done purely for the love of God. We are able to do this when we have a good grounding in The Gospels because they clearly and simply define our attitudes and behavior. Without The Gospels we have no solid foundation for our trust and obedience. Without The Gospels we may come to know and love Our Father but have no pattern for translating our knowing and loving into action. When we know the Son through the word of The Gospel, we know Our Father. When we know the word of The Gospel, we literally find the way, the truth, and the life. We see that Our Lord lived a simple act of faith in trust and obedience to Our Father.
2. As our habit of saying the silent Thank You, Father becomes second nature, we are more naturally disposed to simple acts of faith. When we have learned to say Thank You for all of it, each and every thing just as it happens, we are inclined to perform simple acts of faith because we have learned to actually live out of simple acts of faith.
Also, in this way, things that may have presented themselves as complex, confusing, or requiring us to examine several different options, now are quite simple and natural to us. Sometimes we will take an outward action and sometimes the action will be to do nothing. With the backing of The Gospels and our habit of Thank You, Father, we find ourselves blessed with the gift of discernment.
The act that brings us closer to God comes of our already being close to God. The less we have to think or reflect before we act and the more we act out of our awareness of God's presence, the easier it becomes for us. Even if our action is against all worldly odds, runs counter to what others may do, or hinders our getting our own way, we act by simply doing what is pleasing to Our Father. Thus, in simple faith we act because it is right in God's eyes.
Brother Lawrence's use of the word favors refers to those things which are earthly and, therefore, temporal. Some of these favors are alleviation from suffering, rescue from physical dangers, and economic relief. Certainly we should ask God for all manner of favors and give gratitude for all favors bestowed on us. Our Lord gave us the wonderful prayer which we know as both The Lord's Prayer and the Our Father. This best known and loved prayer puts, in the clearest and simplest words, all the favors we should ask of God.
Yet favors cannot be our sole reason for knowing and loving Our Father who is so much greater than the greatest of these earthly and transitory things. We must love God because He is ultimately lovely. His is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. He is our All and we can only truly experience the fullness of His love and presence by giving Him our all. When we come to truly love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength we find that our days easily flow from one simple act of faith to another. We live in God's living presence.
© Light Heart
www.PracticeGodsPresence.com
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