Rating: 
Summary: Is this guy superman?
Review: I was not very impressed with what Brother Lawrence says in this book. It is wonderful to share one's insight about their relationship with God, but he mentions nowhere in the book that I saw, any of his stuggles. I got the impression that he was perfect, which I know is not the case. Not your best read, in my opinion, if you're looking for humility.
Rating: 
Summary: The true source of Hope found
Review: In a day of self-help and healing services, Brother Lawrence's discourses offer the reader much contentment and rest in trusting the Lord. Unlike many contemporary preachers and psuedo-religious televangelists, this servant exhorts the reader to abstain from seeking physical healing and to strive for spiritual enlightenment. He asks his friend to cast down his rituals and rites and instructs him to find the Lord in quiet and somber prayer and service.The author writes to his friend the only hope and cause for joy; that is, a life of full and true committment to the Lord Jesus Christ. He doesn't look for wealth, nor does he strive for great fame. He contents himself as a potato peeler, seeking only to please the Lord with a meek life of service and worship.Christians and non-Christians alike should read the compilation of this man's work. The Practice of the Presence of God will lead all who read it to a closer walk with the one and true living God
Rating: 
Summary: 24-7 Quiet Time
Review: In college, I survived by hanging out on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, as I poured out my hopes, fears, doubts to the Creator of the waves that pounded the beach. This was my Quiet Time, an oft recommended solution to keep one on the narrow path. But now in the working world, I find that its tough to keep a consistent time to read the Word or pray. Is 20 minutes too short or good enough? Does God reject me if I forgot to have my Quiet Time on Tuesday? Oh boy, I got through my chapter requirement; now I can put the Bible away and rush off to work.
Well, the Quiet Time had served its purpose in college by discipling me to be in the presence of Jesus. Brother Law. challenged me to break the bonds of routine, of taking my RDA of Bible reading and powering prayers down my prayer list. This is Jesus Bro Law. cries! Not a task to be completed. Did I seek to be with Him the same way I sought to be with those I loved? Hardly! Bro Law. tried the spiritual retreats. Hum , that sparked my curiousity. I thought about going on some retreat this year, to escape the world's distractions. Yet Bro Law states that as soon as he returned from the retreat, he was back battling the same battles of a wayward mind, disobedience, an unthankful attitude. He began meditating on Bible verses throughout the day, picturing Jesus right next to him, all day long. What the awesoime thing to me was that Bro Law wasnt spending his whole day praying or Bible study. Who could relate to that? No, he was working! Scrubbing pans, sweeping and cleaning, doing errands. He successfully thought of Jesus in the middle of soap foam and dusty roads! Minute by minute he talked to Jesus. Amount of words didn't matter. Even there were times that he said nothing but just reminded himself that his friend Jesus was there in the kitchen sitting next to him.
Now as I grade papers, give a Spelling test, drive to work, eat a In and Out burger, laugh at a dolphin under my surfboard, cry at pain inside, fear getting older.....I try to remind myself that Jesus is right there, talk to Him as I would to any friend. Thanks Bro Law!
Rating:
Summary: Not sure if you have the Holy Spirit?
Review: My pastor, who is mentoring me, recommended this book, when all our meetings were not helping me grow nor helping me throw off sinful habits.In a world full of "doing", "performing", "keeping up with the Joneses", and an innumerable other distractions and pressures, Brother Lawrence was a man gifted by God to have the vision of true fellowship with God. He tells us simply that being a Christian means to have a constant love relationship with God, only made possible through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. He reminds us not be guilty or ashamed (a very difficult thing to know if you're not told explicitly, and something only known through faith). The message of the churches (at least in the Western world) has been so diluted by the culture of "results" and "knowledge". We are often given guilt trips by church leader because we aren't "up to par" or because we don't buy into the church's vision. After attending a church for many years, we're still spiritually dry, and at the same time expected to serve more and more? Is that the abundant life?
Instead, we are supposed to be taught how to have fellowship with God! From that, everything else flows. There are no shortcuts! Brother Lawrence exhorts us to have such a dear love for God that we are completely at rest with Him. It does takes time and discipline to develop the intimacy, but with any other love relationship (w/spouse, etc.), after a little effort and focus, the love between the two of you carries the relationship quite automatically. I can truly see how the Holy Spirit is changing me because of this book, by no effort on my part to change myself. All I have to do is to be in love with Jesus. His power in me is allowing me to be more disciplined in many areas of life, and loosening my attachment to worldly things. Plus, I have a new appreciation for Jesus' gift in taking my punishment upon Himself. How could He love such wretched people as us? That's the greatness of His love. The vast majority of Christian books out there present such profound truths, and we're so in awe of the new things we've "learned". Yet they usually don't draw us closer to God, because they're filled with mechanical methods. "Practice the Presence" is a great book, not because of the wisdom of the author, but because it points us directly to God Himself. Back to my original question: Do you have the Spirit?
You know you have the Holy Spirit if you have His presence, because they are one in the same. Don't miss out on God's gifts! Some Biblical references:
- Lk 10:38-42 (note that Martha was not chastised for her service, but for being worried and upset)
- Acts 1:4-5 (Jesus told the disciples not to do anything until the Spirit came upon them)
- Gal 3:3 (don't use human effort)
- Lk 15:1-2 (Jesus welcomes us unconditionally. Do you think He told the fornicators to stop thinking lustful thoughts before He would eat with them? Seems rather that He welcomed them first, even with their evil thoughts, and let His loving presence change them)
- 1 Cor 13:1-3 (love is the foundation)
- John 15:5 (speaks for itself)
Rating:
Summary: My All Time Favorite Book Besides the Bible
Review: Over 300 years have passed since this book was written, but it is still changing lives and drawing people to God today. If all of us could master what Brother Lawrence mastered -- a constant never-ending awareness and communication with God -- we would go to sleep each night with peaceful, content hearts. Our sins would be dealt with immediately without remaining guilt or regret and our future would hold no fears. This is an important book of instruction and valuable encouragement to read, to live and to pass on. (I gave this book to a friend of mine who had absolutely no desire to read, as she said, "some book written by a monk 300 years ago who had no idea what it is like to live in the real world, much less hers." She read it nonetheless -- two times in two weeks, in fact -- and then ran out and bought copies for friends. Apparently this 300 year old monk knew something powerful!)
Rating:
Summary: Getting to the heart of God
Review: Over the last 12 months this book has slowly creapt up my favorites list and now is with out a doubt my favorite Cristian insperational book. It is short and is not complex yet in it's few pages Brother Lawrance brings us a glimpse into the very heart of God. And just like Christianity in general the words of this book are very easy to understand but dificult to apply.
Rating:
Summary: constant and unceasing prayer
Review: Over the years I've met a few "prayer warriors" who seemed to spend every waking moment connected to God. They carried a peace about them, and saw prayer as a gift rather than an obligation. Frankly, they made me feel terribly inadequate.
I wanted to have that type of relationship with God, but wasn't quite sure where to start. I had trouble setting aside fifteen minutes per day for prayer...how on earth did they manage it? Like Brother Lawrence, they had learned to practice the presence of God.
We learn how Brother Lawrence was able to include God in every detail of his life, and focus his activities to suit. We (thankfully) see that he was not always successful, but rather than dwell on his failures, asked for God's forgiveness and simply went again. He shares his insight and life's journey through four conversations with Abbe Joseph de Beaufort, fifteen letters and six maxims.
Through his writings, Brother Lawrence shares a humility and a desire for communion with God that is not only infectious, but also simple enough for anyone to apply. With enough practice, anyone can become a prayer warrior.
Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory
Rating:
Summary: This is a wonderful guide to daily spiritual behavior.
Review: Practicing the Presence of God presents the way Brother Lawrence recommends that we stay in touch with God on a daily basis. It is practical, simple, and, above all, it works. It is not too dissimilar to the concept behind In His Steps (I think that's the title) where one asks at every step, "What would Christ do?" In this case one, in all of one's daily activities (washing the dishes, studying, anything), puts oneself into God's presence (as St. John of the Christ says, it CAN be by imagination, or in reality, or whatever works for you), one dedicates every action to God, and one lets the awareness of God's presence guide every decision and movement throughout the day. Thus life itself becomes prayer, and every move one makes is a sacrament. I know, from experience, that this works, and that this is a very powerful method of bringing God's presence into one's daily activities. What starts by imagination quickly evolves into reality, and this provides both guidance and protection throughout the day. It can also be VERY demanding - God is not just a presence on Sunday morning, or at our meditation sessions - he is actively carried with us throughout the day, so demands are exacted from us concerning our conduct and behavior that are on a very high level. This is NOT thoughtless living! It can be heroism of the highest level. But it can also be one of the most effective methods of making fast progress in the spiritual life. One should commune with God whenever possible - in prayer or meditation - and than take this practice with one in one's daily activities, so one draws upon those inner resources that are awakened through prayer.
Rating:
Summary: Re: when you need help
Review: Regardless of your length of walk with Christ (whether it is new or old) you will benefit from brother Lawerance's simplicity in communing with God as you begin to practice walking daily to grow closer with Him.
Rating:
Summary: A spiritual masterpiece everyone should read.
Review: There are hundreds of good books on Christian spirituality - but there are only a few really great books - this is one of them. Anyone searching for a more intimate relationship with God must keep this book near and spend time with it often in prayer.
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