In my book, Christ’s Empowering Presence: The Pursuit of God through the Ages, I include a chapter early on that’s titled “Brother Lawrence: A Most Popular Practitioner of ‘The Pursuit.’” It seemed appropriate to devote a chapter to the 17^th century French monk known as Brother Lawrence since he did so much to make famous the spiritual exercise that has come to be known as “the practice of the presence of God,” an exercise that I equate with the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence.

 In the following excerpt from my treatment of Brother Lawrence’s engagement in “the pursuit,” I reflect some on the venerable monk’s insistence that the practice of the presence of God need not be limited to a particular time and place.

Anytime, Anywhere!

            Finally, a third important theme present in Brother Lawrence’s thinking about spirituality was that a person’s busyness is no excuse for failing to practice the presence of God! Scattered throughout our resource materials are passages that insist it’s possible to maintain a vibrant inner sense of God’s loving, empowering presence regardless of the many outward activities our busy lives might entail. In his description of Brother Lawrence, de Beaufort recounts that his mentor once told him:

For me the time of action does not differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are together calling for as many different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as when upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.[1]

            Brother Lawrence’s biographer goes on to provide the world with this famous passage:

I am giving you a picture of a lay brother serving in a kitchen; let me then use his own words: “We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for the 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. It is enough for me to pick but a straw from the ground for the love of God.[2]         

What effect did this integration of spirituality with his daily work have upon Brother Lawrence? Though later in this book we will explore in more depth the benefits of a daily pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence, it seems appropriate here to include a passage that describes the impact which practicing the presence of God had upon this particularly popular practitioner, especially since it includes a reference to the theme we are presently discussing. Rounding off his record of the four conversations he had with Brother Lawrence, de Beaufort offers these concluding remarks:

As Brother Lawrence had found such an advantage in walking in the presence of God, it was natural for him to recommend it earnestly to others; but his example was a stronger inducement than any arguments he could propose. His very countenance was edifying, such a sweet and calm devotion appearing in it as could not but affect the beholders. And it was observed that in the greatest hurry of business in the kitchen he still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its season, with an even, uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit.[3]

            Evidently, it is possible to pursue Christ’s empowering presence despite a busy lifestyle! Possessing a plate full of mundane responsibilities is no excuse for a neglect of “the pursuit.” While we will return to this theme later in the book, it’s important that it be established here at the very beginning of the journey we’re taking together. The example of Brother Lawrence accomplishes this as well as any spiritual master I can think of.

            The overarching goal of this chapter is to introduce the concept of Christ’s empowering presence by way of a careful consideration of the life and work of one of its most famous practitioners: Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. During the process, I have cited a number of passages from the resource materials that never fail to reinspire me in my own practice of the presence of God. Rather than feeling like you’ve been thrown into the deep end of the pool, I hope you will consider Brother Lawrence’s advocacy of “the pursuit” to be a life vest that can save you from “drowning” in the spiritually deadening demands of daily living. With that thought in mind, I want to conclude this chapter with one final quote drawn from Brother Lawrence’s ninth letter to Monsieur de Beaufort:

We cannot avoid the dangers of life without God’s continual help, so we should ask Him for it ceaselessly. But how can we ask for help unless we are with Him? To be with Him, we must cultivate the holy habit of thinking of Him often.

            You will tell me that I always say the same thing. What can I say? It is true. I don’t know an easier method, nor do I practice any other, so I advise this one to everybody. We have to know someone before we truly love him. In order to know God, we must think about Him often. Once we get to know Him, we will think about Him even more often, because where our treasure is, there also is our heart![4] 

This completes a series of four blog postings by means of which I have presented to website readers a glimpse of my treatment of the spirituality of Brother Lawrence in my book Christ’s Empowering Presence. It’s my hope that I’ve done more in this series than provide some reasons to buy the book. My goal in each blog posting has genuinely been to give my spiritual friends …

Something to think about.

In my book, Christ’s Empowering Presence: The Pursuit of God through the Ages, I include a chapter early on that’s titled “Brother Lawrence: A Most Popular Practitioner of ‘The Pursuit.’” It seemed appropriate to devote a chapter to the 17^th century French monk known as Brother Lawrence since he did so much to make famous the spiritual exercise that has come to be known as “the practice of the presence of God,” an exercise that I equate with the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence.

In the following excerpt from my treatment of Brother Lawrence’s engagement in “the pursuit,” I reflect some on the venerable monk’s indication of how important the practice of God’s presence was to his spiritual life.

The Heart of Christian Spirituality

        Another dominant theme that seems to run throughout the documents that serve as our resources for understanding the thought and practice of Brother Lawrence is the idea that practicing God’s presence is at the very heart of Christian spirituality. Indeed, there are places in these writings where it appears that Brother Lawrence was suggesting that this one spiritual discipline is all that is necessary in order for the sincere Christ-follower to grow in his or her walk with God! For example, Brother Lawrence said, according to de Beaufort, that “he was more united to God in his outward employments than when he left them for devotion and retirement.”[1] At the very least, this brief statement implies that the godly monk’s private devotional practices offered him no more of a sense of intimacy with God than when he was engaged in more mundane matters.

This same idea finds expression in another passage in which de Beaufort records Brother Lawrence as insisting that our sanctification does not depend so much upon our engaging in special spiritual exercises but in simply making sure that what we normally do each day is performed for God’s sake rather than our own. Indeed, the good brother goes on to critique those Christians who mistake the means for the end—literally becoming addicted to the performance of “certain works,” convinced they are serving God when, in reality, they are really serving themselves![2]   

        By “certain works” Brother Lawrence seemed to have the idea of special devotional activities in mind. This is indicated by the fact that in yet another place Monsieur de Beaufort describes Brother Lawrence as follows:

He believed it was a serious mistake to think of our prayer time as being different from any other. Our actions should unite us with God when we are involved in our daily activities, just as our prayers unite us with Him in our quiet devotions.

            He said his prayers consisted totally and simply of God’s presence. His soul was resting in God, having lost its awareness of everything but love of Him. When he wasn’t in prayer, he felt practically the same way. Remaining near to God, he praised and blessed Him with all his strength. Because of this, his life was full of continual joy.[3]

        This is actually one of several passages where we seem to find Brother Lawrence suggesting that practicing the presence of God was for him the main manner in which he cultivated his spirituality. Yet another example of this type of passage is one located in his Spiritual Maxims. In that work, written by Brother Lawrence’s own hand, we find this bold statement:

The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God.[4]

        Indeed, in some passages we almost hear Brother Lawrence saying that the only reason he would ever engage in any other form of spiritual devotion was because doing so was mandated by the rule of the order to which he belonged. For example, in his one of his letters to de Beaufort, Brother Lawrence confesses:

I have given up all but my intercessory prayers to focus my attention on remaining in His holy presence. I keep my attention on God in a simple, loving way. This is my soul’s secret experience of the actual, unceasing presence of God. It gives me such contentment and joy that I sometimes feel compelled to do rather childish things to control it.[5]

        Similarly, in The Character (or Life) of Brother Lawrence de Beaufort includes a descriptive paragraph which suggests that, since Brother Lawrence’s secular activities as well as those activities traditionally considered more sacred involved his pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence, his spiritual mentor saw no real difference between them. Monsieur de Beaufort writes:

Everything was the same to him—every place, every job. The good brother found God everywhere, as much while he was repairing shoes as while he was praying with the community. He was in no hurry to go on retreats because he found the same God to love and adore in his ordinary work as in the depth of the desert.[6]

        It should be apparent to us by now that Brother Lawrence had a high view of the practice of God’s presence as the very center of Christian spirituality. His engagement in “the pursuit” was at the very heart of his approach to spiritual formation. Thus, it’s fitting to conclude this section with one final quote:

Brother Lawrence called the practice of the presence of God the easiest and shortest way to attain Christian perfection and to be protected from sin.[7]

Wow! This is a pretty strong endorsement of a particular spiritual exercise! Of course, as I go on to point out in Christ’s Empowering Presence, Brother Lawrence was not the only spiritual master to hold “the pursuit” in particularly high regard. Throughout Christian history some pretty smart and godly people have made it their goal to pursue a moment-by-moment mentoring relationship with the risen Christ. Do those of us living in such a hectic, hurried, spiritually and morally confused post-Christian culture really have a good reason not to follow suit?

 Something to think about.

In my book, Christ’s Empowering Presence: The Pursuit of God through the Ages, I include a chapter early on that’s titled “Brother Lawrence: A Most Popular Practitioner of ‘The Pursuit.’” It seemed appropriate to devote a chapter to the 17^th century French monk known as Brother Lawrence since he did so much to make famous the spiritual exercise that has come to be known as “the practice of the presence of God,” an exercise that I equate with the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence.

In the following excerpt from my treatment of Brother Lawrence’s engagement in “the pursuit,” I reflect some on the venerable monk’s insistence that we must be careful to practice the presence of God for the right reason.   

Love: The Only Motive

            Reading through The Practice of the Presence of God, one cannot help but notice how insistent Brother Lawrence was that the ultimate motive for this spiritual discipline must only be a sincere desire to commune with and serve a good God. The implication of this is that Brother Lawrence was very concerned that someone might succumb to the temptation to turn the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence into a fear-based religious work or engage in it in merely to impress his or her peers. It’s easy to see how this could happen in a religious community such as that housed in a monastery. But I think it’s possible for us noncloistered followers of Christ to be tempted in these ways as well. Sometimes it’s easy to allow our embrace of grace to falter, or to care a bit too much about appearing spiritual before our family and friends. Thus, I’m suggesting that it is these kinds of concerns that best explain the following passages drawn from the records of Brother Lawrence’s conversations and letters—passages which in one way or another refer to the godly monk’s love for the Lord.

            In reference to his observations of Brother Lawrence, de Beaufort writes:

Brother Lawrence confided to me that the foundation of his spiritual life was the faith that revealed to him the exalted position of God. Once this became secure in the depths of his heart, he was easily able to do all his actions for the love of God.[1]

Our brother remarked that some people go only as far as their regular devotions, stopping there and neglecting love, which is the purpose of those devotions.[2] This could easily be seen in their actions and explained why they possessed so little solid virtue.

            Neither skill nor knowledge is needed to go to God, he added. All that is necessary is a heart dedicated entirely and solely to Him out of love for Him above all others.[3]

The most effective way Brother Lawrence had for communicating with God was to simply do his ordinary work. He did this obediently, out of a pure love for God.[4]

          The next two excerpts are presented in the first person, coming from Brother Lawrence himself. They too emphasize the good brother’s motive of love.

There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God. Only those who have experienced it can understand. However, I don’t advise you to practice it for the sole purpose of gaining consolation for your problems. Seek it, rather, because God wills it and out of love for Him.[5]

I feel unable to express what is going on inside me right now. I’m not anxious about my purpose in life because I only want to do God’s will. I wouldn’t even lift a straw from the ground against His order or for any other motive than love for Him. Pure love of Him is all that keeps me going.[6]

            According to Proverbs 16:2, our motives matter to God. I trust that in this section I’ve succeeded in helping you recognize how important it was to Brother Lawrence that the practice of the presence of God be engaged in with the right motive in place. We must not turn this holy habit into a legalistic attempt to mollify the wrath of an angry God. Neither should we pursue this practice in an attempt to have our peers notice our superlative piety. In a word, the only appropriate motive for pursuing Christ’s empowering presence is love—our love for him and a quiet confidence in his love for us.

Going a bit further in this posting, I want to further suggest that that there’s a dialectical or paradoxical relationship of sorts between the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence and the sense that we are loved by him. On the one hand, knowing how much we are loved by God inspires us to enage in “the pursuit.” On the other hand, the more we experience Christ’s presence in our lives, the greater is our ability to know, from the heart, that we are loved by God.

Don’t we all need all the help we can get in truly knowing, down deep inside, how valued we are by God?  Isn’t this the heart of the Gospel and key to just about everything else in the Christian life?

Something to think about.

In my book, Christ’s Empowering Presence: The Pursuit of God through the Ages, I include a chapter early on that’s titled “Brother Lawrence: A Most Popular Practitioner of ‘The Pursuit.’” It seemed appropriate to devote a chapter to the 17^th century French monk known as Brother Lawrence since he did so much to make famous the spiritual exercise that has come to be known as “the practice of the presence of God,” an exercise that I equate with the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence.

 In the following excerpt from my treatment of Brother Lawrence’s engagement in “the pursuit,” I reflect some on the venerable monk’s understanding of just what it means to practice the presence of God on a day-to-day basis.

The Essence of Christ’s Empowering Presence

            According to Brother Lawrence, it’s both possible and desirable to develop the life habit of continually conversing with God. Monsieur de Beaufort writes:

Brother Lawrence insisted that, to be constantly aware of God’s presence, it is necessary to form the habit of continually talking with Him throughout each day. To think that we must abandon conversation with Him in order to deal with the world is erroneous. Instead, as we nourish our souls by seeing God in His exaltation, we will derive great joy at being His.[1]

Thus, the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence, in the simplest sense, involves our learning how to maintain with Jesus an ongoing internal conversation regardless of whatever else is going on around us. In de Beaufort’s account of his several interactions with Brother Lawrence, we find the following passage in which the godly monk elaborates some on the nature of such an ongoing conversation:          

Today Brother Lawrence spoke to me quite openly and with great enthusiasm about his manner of going to God. He said the most important part resides in renouncing, once and for all, whatever does not lead to God. This allows us to become involved in a continuous conversation with Him in a simple and unhindered manner.

All we have to do is to recognize God as being intimately present within us. Then we may speak directly to Him every time we need to ask for help, to know His will in moments of uncertainty, and to do whatever He wants us to do in a way that pleases Him. We should offer our work to Him before we begin and thank Him afterward for the privilege of having done it for His sake. This continuous conversation should also include praising and loving God incessantly for His infinite goodness and perfection.[2]

             Yet another glimpse into Brother Lawrence’s approach to spirituality comes to us in his own words as recorded for us by de Beaufort. The first thing we learn from the good brother’s sharing is that during his formal prayer times his habit was simply to meditate on the attributes of God and Christ rather than engage in all sorts of elaborate devotional rituals.

When I first entered the monastery, I looked upon God as the beginning and the end of all my thoughts and all the feelings of my soul. During the hours that were designated for prayer, I meditated on the truth and character of God that we must accept by the light of faith, rather than spending time in laborious meditations and readings. By meditating on Jesus Himself, I advanced in my knowledge of this lovable Person with whom I resolved to dwell always.[3]

            Brother Lawrence goes on to explain how his custom was to take this sense of Christ’s presence with him into the rest of his day:

Completely immersed in my understanding of God’s majesty, I used to shut myself up in the kitchen. Alone, after having done everything that was necessary for my work, I devoted myself to prayer in the time that was left.

            The prayer time was really taken at both the beginning and the end of my work. At the beginning of my duties, I would say to the Lord with confidence, “My God, since You are with me and since, by Your will, I must occupy myself with external things, please grant me the grace to remain with You, in Your presence. Work with me, so that my work might be the very best. Receive as an offering of love both my work and all my affections.”

            During my work, I would always continue to speak to the Lord as though He were right with me, offering Him my services and thanking Him for His assistance. Also, at the end of my work, I used to examine it carefully. If I found good in it, I thanked God. If I noticed faults, I asked His forgiveness without being discouraged, and then went on with my work, still dwelling in Him.

            Thus, continuing in the practice of conversing with God throughout each day and quickly seeking His forgiveness when I fell or strayed, His presence has become as easy and natural to me now as it once was difficult to attain.[4]

            These are foundation-forming passages that are crucial to an adequate understanding of what it meant for Brother Lawrence to practice the presence of God, as well as what it might mean for us to engage in the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence. Among other things, these readings suggest that such an approach to Christian spirituality might involve our learning to 

• begin each day doing our best to prayerfully recognize and appreciate God’s ongoing, intimate presence with us;
• address ourselves to God every waking moment throughout the day, continually calling on him for wisdom, discernment, and grace (empowerment) to do his will;
• offer absolutely everything we do as a gift to God before we act;
• pause inwardly in order to give thanks to God for his empowering assistance after we’ve performed each action as unto him;
• continually praise, adore, and love God even as we go about our daily business;
• periodically evaluate how well we’ve been doing at remaining mindful of God’s presence;
• trust in God’s forgiveness when our attempts at practicing his presence have been less than satisfactory, forgiving ourselves and pressing on with the resolve to do better in the future.

We would do well to reflect carefully upon this list of activities. As we go forward in our study, we will discover that these are the most basic themes upon which nearly all discussions of Christ’s empowering presence will focus.

In future blog postings I will present excerpts from my book that highlight Brother Lawrence’s insistence that: (a) the key motive for practicing God’s presence should be an attitude of love (rather than fear); (b) an engagement in this one practice may very well constitute the main means by which one endeavors to cultivate a healthy Christian spirituality; and (c) that this central spiritual discipline can be engaged in despite a very busy lifestyle.

Could it be that I’m on solid ground when I equate the practice of the presence of God with what I refer to as the pursuit of Christ’s empowering presence? Could it be that this particular spiritual exercise is at the heart of Christian spirituality and could, therefore, rock your walk with Christ?

 Something to think about.