This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.
The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

FOURTEENTH LETTER

Gratitude, for mercies to his correspondent, and measure of relief
while he has himself been near death, but with consolation in his
suffering.

I RENDER thanks to our LORD, for having relieved you a little,
according to your desire. I have been often near expiring, though I was
never so much satisfied as then. Accordingly I did not pray for any
relief, but I prayed for strength to suffer with courage, humility, and
love. Ah, how sweet is it to suffer with GOD! however great the
sufferings may be, receive them with love. "Tis paradise to suffer and
be with Him; so that if in this life we would enjoy the peace of
paradise, we must accustom ourselves to a familiar, humble,
affectionate conversation with Him: we must hinder our spirits
wandering from Him upon any occasion: we must make our heart a
spiritual temple, wherein to adore Him incessantly: we must watch
continually over ourselves, that we may not do, nor say, nor think
anything that may displease Him. When our minds are thus employed about
GOD, suffering will become full of unction and consolation.

I know that to arrive at this state, the beginning is very difficult;
for we must act purely in faith. But though it is difficult, we know
also that we can do all things with the grace of GOD, which He never
refuses to them who ask it earnestly. Knock, persevere in knocking, and
I answer for it that He will open to you in His due time, and grant you
all at once what He has deferred during many years. Adieu. Pray to Him
for me, as I pray to Him for you. I hope to see Him quickly.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

THIRTEENTH LETTER

To the same he exhorts for fuller and entire confidence in God, for
body and soul.

I AM in pain to see you suffer so long; what gives me some ease, and
sweetens the feeling I have of your griefs, is that they are proofs of
GOD’s love towards you: see them in that view, and you will bear them
more easily. As your case is, ’tis my opinion that you should leave off
human remedies, and resign yourself entirely to the providence of GOD;
perhaps He stays only for that resignation and a perfect trust in Him
to cure you. Since notwithstanding all your cares, physic has hitherto
proved unsuccessful, and your malady still increases, it will not be
tempting GOD to abandon yourself in His hands, and expect all from Him.

I told you, in my last, that He sometimes permits bodily diseases to
cure the distempers of the soul. Have courage then: make a virtue of
necessity: ask of GOD, not deliverance from your pains, but strength to
bear resolutely, for the love of Him, all that He should please, and as
long as He shall please.

Such prayers, indeed, are a little hard to nature, but most acceptable
to GOD, and sweet to those that love Him. Love sweetens pains; and when
one loves GOD, one suffers for His sake with joy and courage. Do you
so, I beseech you; comfort yourself with Him, who is the only Physician
of all our maladies. He is the FATHER of the afflicted, always ready to
help us. He loves us infinitely more than we imagine: love Him then,
and seek not consolation elsewhere: I hope you will soon receive it.
Adieu. I will help you with my prayers, poor as they are, and shall be,
always, yours in our LORD.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

TWELFTH LETTER

To the same correspondent probably, and expresses his own abiding
comfort through faith.

IF we were well accustomed to the exercise of the presence of GOD, all
bodily diseases would be much alleviated thereby. GOD often permits
that we should suffer a little, to purify our souls, and oblige us to
continue with Him.

Take courage, offer Him your pains incessantly, pray to Him for
strength to endure them. Above all, get a habit of entertaining
yourself often with GOD, and forget Him the least you can. Adore Him in
your infirmities, offer yourself to Him from time to time; and, in the
height of your sufferings, beseech Him humbly and affectionately (as a
child his father) to make you conformable to His holy will. I shall
endeavour to assist you with my poor prayers.

GOD has many ways of drawing us to Himself. He sometimes hides Himself
from us: but faith alone, which will not fail us in time of need, ought
to be our support, and the foundation of our confidence, which must be
all in GOD.

I know not how GOD will dispose of me: I am always happy: all the world
suffer; and I, who deserve the severest discipline, feel joys so
continual, and so great, that I can scarce contain them.

I would willingly ask of GOD a part of your sufferings, but that I know
my weakness, which is so great, that if He left me one moment to
myself, I should be the most wretched man alive. And yet I know not how
He can leave me alone, because faith gives me as strong a conviction as
sense can do, that He never forsakes us, till we have first forsaken
Him. Let us fear to leave Him. Let us be always with Him. Let us live
and die in His presence. Do you pray for me, as I for you.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

ELEVENTH LETTER

To one who is in great pain. God is the Physician of body and of soul.
* Feels that he would gladly suffer at His wish.

I DO not pray that you may be delivered from your pains; but I pray GOD
earnestly that He would give you strength and patience to bear them as
long as He pleases. Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to
the cross: He will loose you when He thinks fit. Happy those who suffer
with Him: accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him
the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be
necessary for you. The men of the world do not comprehend these truths,
nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and
not like Christians: they consider sickness as a pain to nature, and
not as a favour from GOD; and seeing it only in that light, they find
nothing in it but grief and distress. But those who consider sickness
as coming from the hand of GOD, as the effects of His mercy, and the
means which He employs for their salvation, commonly find in it great
sweetness and sensible consolation.

I wish you could convince yourself that GOD is often (in some sense)
nearer to us and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in
health. Rely upon no other Physician, for, according to my
apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself. Put then all your trust
in Him, and you will soon find the effects of it in your recovery,
which we often retard, by putting greater confidence in physic than in
GOD.

Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He
permits. When pains come from GOD, He only can cure them. He often
sends diseases of the body, to cure those of the soul. Comfort yourself
with the sovereign Physician both of soul and body.

I foresee that you will tell me that I am very much at my ease, that I
eat and drink at the table of the LORD. YOU have reason: but think you
that it would be a small pain to the greatest criminal in the world, to
eat at the king’s table, and be served by him, and notwithstanding such
favours to be without assurance of pardon? I believe he would feel
exceeding great uneasiness, and such as nothing could moderate, but
only his trust in the goodness of his sovereign. So I assure you, that
whatever pleasures I taste at the table of my King, yet my sins, ever
present before my eyes, as well as the uncertainty of my pardon,
torment me, though in truth that torment itself is pleasing.

Be satisfied with the condition in which GOD places you: however happy
you may think me, I envy you. Pains and suffering would be a paradise
to me, while I should suffer with my GOD; and the greatest pleasure
would be hell to me, if I could relish them without Him; all my
consolation would be to suffer something for His sake.

I must, in a little time, go to GOD. What comforts me in this life is,
that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as might
make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see. I feel what faith
teaches us, and, in that assurance and that practice of faith, I will
live and die with Him.

Continue then always with GOD: ’tis the only support and comfort for
your affliction. I shall beseech Him to be with you. I present my
service.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

TENTH LETTER

Has difficulty, but sacrifices his will, to write as requested. * The
loss of a friend may lead to acquaintance with the Friend.

I HAVE had a good deal of difficulty to bring myself to write to M. -,
and I do it now purely because you and Madam desire me. Pray write the
directions and send it to him. I am very well pleased with the trust
which you have in GOD: I wish that He may increase it in you more and
more: we cannot have too much in so good and faithful a Friend, who
will never fail us in this world nor in the next.

If M. – makes his advantage of the loss he has had, and puts all his
confidence in GOD, He will soon give him another friend, more powerful
and more inclined to serve him. He disposes of hearts as He pleases.
Perhaps M. – was too much attached to him he has lost. We ought to love
our friends, but without encroaching upon the love of GOD, which must
be the principal.

Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often
on GOD, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your
diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone.
You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you:
why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on
Him often, adore Him continually live and die with Him; this is the
glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession,
if we do not know it we must learn it. I will endeavour to help you
with my prayers, and am yours in our LORD.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

NINTH LETTER

Enclosing a letter to a corresponding sister, whom he regards with
respect tinged with fear. * His old theme concisely put.

THE enclosed is an answer to that which I received from – ; pray
deliver it to her. She seems to me full of good will, but she would go
faster than grace. One does not become holy all at once. I recommend
her to you: we ought to help one another by our advice, and yet more by
our good examples. You will oblige me to let me hear of her from time
to time, and whether she be very fervent and very obedient.

Let us thus think often that our only business in this life is to
please GOD, that perhaps all besides is but folly and vanity. You and I
have lived above forty years in religion [i.e., a monastic life]. Have
we employed them in loving and serving GOD, who by His mercy has called
us to this state and for that very end? I am filled with shame and
confusion, when I reflect on the one hand upon the great favours which
GOD has done, and incessantly continues to do, me; and on the other,
upon the ill use I have made of them, and my small advancement in the
way of perfection.

Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let us begin in
earnest, let us repair the lost time, let us return with a full
assurance to that FATHER of mercies, who is always ready to receive us
affectionately. Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the
love of Him, all that is not Himself; He deserves infinitely more. Let
us think of Him perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him: I doubt
not but we shall soon find the effects of it, in receiving the
abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without
which we can do nothing but sin.

We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual
and continual help of GOD; let us then pray to Him for it continually.
How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him
but in thinking of Him often? And how can we often think of Him, but by
a holy habit which we should form of it? You will tell me that I am
always saying the same thing: it is true, for this is the best and
easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to
it. We must know before we can love. In order to know GOD, we must
often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also
think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure. This is an
argument which well deserves your consideration.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

EIGHTH LETTER

Concerning wandering thoughts in prayer.

YOU tell me nothing new: you are not the only one that is troubled with
wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving; but as the will is
mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to
GOD, as their last end.

When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection,
at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of
wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly
draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth.

I believe one remedy for this is, to confess our faults, and to humble
ourselves before GOD. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words
in prayer; many words and long discourses being often the occasions of
wandering: hold yourself in prayer before GOD, like a dumb or paralytic
beggar at a rich man’s gate: let it be your business to keep your mind
in the presence of the LORD. If it sometimes wander, and withdraw
itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and
disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to re-collect it; the
will must bring it back in tranquillity; if you persevere in this
manner, GOD will have pity on you.

One way to re-collect 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.

I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the
advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of GOD: let
us set about it seriously and pray for one another.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

SEVENTH LETTER

At the age of nearly fourscore exhorts his correspondent, who is
sixty-four, to live and die with God and promises and asks for prayer.

I PITY you much. It will be of great importance if you can leave the
care of your affairs to, and spend the remainder of your life only in
worshiping GOD. He requires no great matters of us; a little
remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration: sometimes to
pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and
sometimes to return Him thanks for the favours He has given you, and
still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself
with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes
even at your meals, and when you are in company: the least little
remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very
loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.

It is not necessary for being with GOD to be always at church; we may
make an oratory of our heart, wherein to retire from time to time, to
converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable
of such familiar conversation with GOD, some more, some less: He knows
what we can do. Let us begin then; perhaps He expects but one generous
resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live;
you are near sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die
with GOD: sufferings will be sweet and pleasant to us, while we are
with Him: and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him, a cruel
punishment to us. May He be blessed for all. Amen.

Use yourself then by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to
offer Him your heart from time to time, in the midst of your business,
even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine
yourself to certain rules, or particular forms of devotion; but act
with a general confidence in GOD, with love and humility. You may
assure – of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and yours
particularly.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

SIXTH LETTER

To a member of the order who had received from him a book, and to whom
he again enlarges on his favourite topic. * Encouragement to persevere.

I HAVE received from Mrs. – the things which you gave her for me. I
wonder that you have not given me your thoughts of the little book I
sent to you, and which you must have received. Pray set heartily about
the practice of it in your old age; it is better late than never.

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.

This exercise does not much fatigue the body: it is, however, proper to
deprive it sometimes, nay often, of many little pleasures which are
innocent and lawful: for GOD will not permit that a soul which desires
to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with
Him; that is more than reasonable.

I do not say that therefore we must put any violent constraint upon
ourselves. No, we must serve GOD in a holy freedom, we must do our
business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet; recalling our mind to
GOD mildly and with tranquillity, as often as we find it wandering from
Him.

It is, however, necessary to put our whole trust in GOD, laying aside
all other cares, and even some particular forms of devotion, though
very good in themselves, yet such as one often engages in unreasonably:
because those devotions are only means to attain to the end; so when by
this exercise of the presence of GOD we are with Him who is our end, it
is then useless to return to the means; but we may continue with Him
our commerce of love, persevering in His holy presence: one while by an
act of praise, of adoration, or of desire; one while by an act of
resignation, or thanksgiving; and in all the manner which our spirit
can invent.

Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may find in it from
nature; you must do yourself violence. At the first, one often thinks
it lost time; but you must go on, and resolve to persevere in it to
death, notwithstanding all the difficulties that may occur. I recommend
myself to the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I
am yours in our LORD.
 

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This post comes from the classic Christian devotional by Bro. Lawrence (Lawrence, Brother (Nicholas Herman, c. 1605-1691) who was a monk in the 1600′s. His simple but profound writings are an encouragement to believers today who desire to discover the presence of God in the midst of any chore, circumstance or crisis. It is truly gold for those desiring to live with a greater awareness of God’s presence in their lives. There are numerous postings from this work. You can view them all under the category, PRACTICING THE PRESENCE.

The material for the PRACTICING THE PRESENCE category was acquired from the (UTF-8) free text version through Christian Classics Ethereal Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org  This site is a great resource for Classic public domain materials such as this.

FIFTH LETTER

Prayer for a sister who is about to make a vow and profession. * A
fresh insisting upon the necessity and virtue of practising the
Presence of God.

I RECEIVED this day two books and a letter from Sister, who is
preparing to make her profession, and upon that account desires the
prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I perceive that
she reckons much upon them; pray do not disappoint her. Beg of GOD that
she may make her sacrifice in the view of His love alone, and with a
firm resolution to be wholly devoted to Him.

I will send you one of those books which treat of the presence of GOD;
a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life; and
it seems to me that whoever duly practises it will soon become
spiritual.

I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of
all other things; because GOD will possess the heart alone; and as He
cannot possess it alone, without emptying it of all besides, so neither
can He act there, and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left
vacant to Him.

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful,
than that of a continual conversation with GOD: those only can
comprehend it who practise and experience it; yet I do not advise you
to do it from that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in
this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because
GOD would have us.

Were I a preacher, I should above all other things preach the practice
of the presence of GOD; and were I a director, I should advise all the
world to do it: so necessary do I think it, and so easy too.

Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of GOD, we
should never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment. Believe me; make
immediately a holy and firm resolution never more wilfully to forget
Him, and to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence,
deprived for the love of Him, if He thinks fit, of all consolations.

Set heartily about this work, and if you do it as you ought, be assured
that you will soon find the effects of it. I will assist you with my
prayers, poor as they are: I recommend myself earnestly to yours, and
those of your holy society.
 

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