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The Practice Of The Presence Of God
Brother Lawrence's Conversations and Letters
Light Heart Edition
Contents
Editor's Preface
Conversations
Letters
Editor's Preface
Brother Lawrence was born Nicholas Herman around 1610 in
Herimenil, Lorraine, a Duchy of France. His birth records were
destroyed in a fire at his parish church during the Thirty Years War, a
war in which he fought as a young soldier. It was also the war in which
he sustained a near fatal injury to his sciatic nerve. The injury left him
quite crippled and in chronic pain for the rest of his life.
He was educated both at home and by his parish priest whose first
name was Lawrence and who was greatly admired by the young
Nicholas. He was well read and, from an early age, drawn to a spiritual
life of faith and love for God.
In the years between the abrupt end of his duties as a soldier and
his entry into monastic life, he spent a period of time in the wilderness
living like one of the early desert fathers. Also, prior to entering the
monastery, he spent some time in private service. In his characteristic,
self deprecating way, he mentions that he was a "footman who was
clumsy and broke everything".
At mid-life he entered a newly established monastery in Paris
where he became the cook for the community which grew to over one
hundred members. After fifteen years, his duties were shifted to the
sandal repair shop but, even then, he often returned to the busy
kitchen to help out.
In times as troubled as today, Brother Lawrence, discovered, then
followed, a pure and uncomplicated way to walk continually in God's
presence. For some forty years, he lived and walked with Our Father at
his side. Yet, through his own words, we learn that Brother Lawrence's
first ten years were full of severe trials and challenges.
A gentle man of joyful spirit, Brother Lawrence shunned attention
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and the limelight, knowing that outside distraction "spoils all". It was
not until after his death that a few of his letters were collected. Joseph
de Beaufort, counsel to the Paris archbishop, first published the letters
in a small pamphlet. The following year, in a second publication which
he titled, 'The Practice of the Presence of God', de Beaufort included,
as introductory material, the content of four conversations he had with
Brother Lawrence.
In this small book, through letters and conversations, Brother
Lawrence simply and beautifully explains how to continually walk with
God - not from the head but from the heart. Brother Lawrence left the
gift of a way of life available to anyone who seeks to know God's peace
and presence; that anyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can
practice -anywhere, anytime. Brother Lawrence also left the gift of a
direct approach to living in God's presence that is as practical today as
it was three hundred years ago.
Brother Lawrence died in 1691, having practiced God's presence for
over forty years. His quiet death was much like his monastic life where
each day and each hour was a new beginning and a fresh commitment
to love God with all his heart.
Light Heart
Conversations
Introduction: At the time of de Beaufort's interviews, Brother
Lawrence was in his late fifties. Joseph de Beaufort later commented
that the crippled brother, who was then in charge of the upkeep of
over one hundred pairs of sandals, was "rough in appearance but
gentle in grace". This comment was originally made by another church
official who had taken note of Brother Lawrence's simple and gentle
approach to living in God's presence.
First Conversation: The first time I saw Brother Lawrence was on the
3rd of August, 1666. He told me that God had done him a singular
favor in his conversion at the age of eighteen. During that winter,
upon seeing a tree stripped of its leaves and considering that, within a
little time, the leaves would be renewed and, after that, the flowers
and fruit appear; Brother Lawrence received a high view of the
providence and power of God which has never since been effaced from
his soul. This view had perfectly set him free from the world and
kindled in him such a love for God, that he could not tell whether it
had increased in the forty years that he had lived since.
Brother Lawrence said he had been footman to M. Fieubert, the
treasurer, and that he was a great awkward fellow who broke
everything. He finally decided to enter a monastery thinking that he
would there be made to smart for his awkwardness and the faults he
would commit, and so he would sacrifice his life with its pleasures to
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God. But Brother Lawrence said that God had surprised him because
he met with nothing but satisfaction in that state.
Brother Lawrence related that we should establish ourselves in a sense
of God's presence by continually conversing with Him. It was a
shameful thing to quit His conversation to think of trifles and fooleries.
We should feed and nourish our soul with high notions of God which
would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.
He said we ought to quicken and enliven our faith. It was lamentable
we had so little. Instead of taking faith for the rule of their conduct,
men amused themselves with trivial devotions which changed daily. He
said that faith was sufficient to bring us to a high degree of perfection.
We ought to give ourselves up to God with regard both to things
temporal and spiritual and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling of
His will. Whether God led us by suffering or by consolation all would be
equal to a soul truly resigned.
He said we need fidelity in those disruptions in the ebb and flow of
prayer when God tries our love to Him. This was the time for a
complete act of resignation, whereof one act alone could greatly
promote our spiritual advancement.
He said that as far as the miseries and sins he heard of daily in the
world, he was so far from wondering at them, that, on the contrary, he
was surprised there were not more, considering the malice sinners
were capable of. For his part, he prayed for them; but knowing that
God could remedy the mischief they did when He pleased, he gave
himself no further trouble.
Brother Lawrence said to arrive at such resignation as God requires,
we should carefully watch over all the passions that mingle in spiritual
as well as temporal things. God would give light concerning those
passions to those who truly desire to serve Him.
At the end of this first conversation Brother Lawrence said that, if my
purpose for the visit was to sincerely discuss how to serve God, I
might come to him as often as I pleased; and without any fear of
being troublesome. If this was not the case, then I ought visit him no
more.
Second Conversation: Brother Lawrence told me he had always been
governed by love without selfish views. Since he resolved to make the
love of God the end of all his actions, he had found reasons to be well
satisfied with his method. He was pleased when he could take up a
straw from the ground for the love of God, seeking Him only, and
nothing else, not even His gifts.
He said he had been long troubled in mind from a certain belief that he
should be damned. All the men in the world could not have persuaded
him to the contrary. This trouble of mind lasted four years, during
which time he suffered greatly.
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Finally he reasoned: I did not engage in a religious life but for the love
of God. I have endeavored to act only for Him. Whatever becomes of
me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for
the love of God. I shall have this good at least that until death I shall
have done all that is in me to love Him. From that time on Brother
Lawrence lived his life in perfect liberty and continual joy. He placed
his sins between himself and God and told Him that he did not deserve
His favors, yet God still continued to bestow them in abundance.
Brother Lawrence said that in order to form a habit of conversing with
God continually and referring all we do to Him, we must, at first, apply
to Him with diligence. Then, after a little care, we would find His love
inwardly draw us to Him without any difficulty.
He expected after the pleasant days God had given him, he would
have his turn of pain and suffering. Yet he was not uneasy about it.
Knowing that, since he could do nothing of himself, God would not fail
to give him the strength to bear them.
When an occasion of practicing some virtue was offered, he addressed
himself to God saying, "Lord, I cannot do this unless Thou enable me".
Then he received strength more than sufficient. When he had failed in
his duty, he only confessed his fault saying to God, "I shall never do
otherwise, if You leave me to myself. It is You who must hinder my
failing and mend what is amiss." Then, after this, he gave himself no
further uneasiness about it.
Brother Lawrence said we ought to act with God in the greatest
simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His
assistance in our affairs just as they happen. God never failed to grant
it, as Brother Lawrence had often experienced.
He said he had been lately sent into Burgundy to buy the provision of
wine for the community. This was a very unwelcome task for him
because he had no turn for business and because he was lame and
could only move around the boat by rolling himself over the casks. Yet
he gave himself no uneasiness about it, nor about the purchase of the
wine. He said to God, it was His business he was about, and that he
afterwards found it very well performed. He mentioned that it had
turned out the same way the year before when he was sent to
Auvergne.
So, likewise, in his work in the kitchen (to which he had, at first, a
great aversion), having accustomed himself to do everything there for
the love of God and asking for His grace to do his work well, he had
found everything easy during the fifteen years he had been employed
there. He was very well pleased with the post he was now in. Yet, he
was as ready to quit that as the former, since he tried to please God
by doing little things for the love of Him in any work he did. With him
the set times of prayer were no different from other times. He retired
to pray according to the directions of his superior, but he did not need
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such retirement nor ask for it because his greatest labor did not divert
him from God.
Since he knew his obligation to love God in all things, and as he
endeavored to do so, he had no need of a director to advise him, but
he greatly needed a confessor to absolve him. He said he was very
aware of his faults, but not discouraged by them. He confessed them
to God and made no excuses. Then, he peaceably resumed his usual
practice of love and adoration.
In his trouble of mind, Brother Lawrence had consulted no one.
Knowing only by the light of faith that God was present, he contented
himself with directing all his actions to Him. He did everything with a
desire to please God and let what would come of it.
He said that useless thoughts spoil all - that mischief began there. We
ought to reject useless thoughts quickly and return to our communion
with God. In the beginning he had often passed his time appointed for
prayer in rejecting wandering thoughts and falling right back into
them. He could never regulate his devotion by certain methods as
some do. At first, he had practiced meditation but, after some time,
that went off in a manner of which he could give no account.
Brother Lawrence emphasized that all physical and mental disciplines
and exercises were useless, unless they served to arrive at the union
with God by love. He had well considered this. He found that the
shortest way to go straight to God was by a continual exercise of love
and doing all things for His sake.
Also, he noted that there was a great difference between acts of the
intellect and acts of the will. Acts of the intellect were comparatively of
little value. Acts of the will were all important. Our only business was
to love and delight ourselves in God.
He then said that all possible kinds of self-sacrifice, if they were void of
the love of God, could not efface a single sin. Instead, we ought,
without anxiety, expect the pardon of our sins from the blood of Jesus
Christ, endeavoring only to love Him with all our heart. He noted that
God seemed to have granted the greatest favors to the greatest
sinners as more proof of His mercy.
Brother Lawrence said the greatest pains or pleasures of this world
were nothing compared to what he had experienced of both kinds in a
spiritual state. As a result he feared nothing, desiring only one thing of
God - that he might not offend Him. He said he carried no guilt
because, "When I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I
am used to do so. I shall never do otherwise if I am left to myself. If I
do not fail, then I immediately give God thanks, acknowledging that it
comes from Him."
Third Conversation: Brother Lawrence told me that the foundation of
the spiritual life in him had been a high notion and esteem of God in
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faith. When he had once well established his faith he had no other care
but to reject every other thought so he might perform all his actions
for the love of God. He said when sometimes he had not thought of
God for a good while he did not disquiet himself. Having acknowledged
his wretchedness to God, he simply returned to Him with so much the
greater trust.
He said the trust we put in God honors Him and draws down His great
grace. It was impossible not only that God should deceive but that He
should long let a soul suffer which is perfectly resigned to Him and
resolved to endure everything for His sake.
Brother Lawrence often experienced the ready succors of Divine Grace.
Because of his experience of grace, when he had business to do, he
did not think of it beforehand. When it was time to do it, he found in
God, as in a clear mirror, all that was fit for him to do. When outward
business diverted him a little from the thought of God, a fresh
remembrance coming from God invested his soul and so inflamed and
transported him that it was difficult for him to contain himself. He said
he was more united to God in his outward employments than when he
left them for devotion in retirement.
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 utterly and that God
would give him strength to bear whatever evil He permitted to happen
to him. Brother Lawrence, therefore, said he feared nothing. He had
no occasion to consult with anybody about his state. In the past, when
he had attempted to do it, he had always come away more perplexed.
Since Brother Lawrence was ready to lay down his life for the love of
God, he had no apprehension of danger.
He said that perfect resignation to God was a sure way to heaven, a
way in which we always have sufficient light for our conduct. In the
beginning of the spiritual life we ought to be faithful in doing our duty
and denying ourselves and then, after a time, unspeakable pleasures
followed. In difficulties we need only turn to Jesus Christ and beg His
grace with which everything became easier.
Brother Lawrence said that many do not advance in Christian progress
because they stick in penances and particular exercises while they
neglect the love of God which is the end. This appeared plainly by their
works and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue. He said
there needed neither art nor science for going to God, but only a heart
resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him and to love
Him only.
Fourth Conversation: Brother Lawrence spoke with great openness
of heart concerning his manner of going to God. He told me that all
consists in one hearty renunciation of everything which we know does
not lead to God. We might accustom ourselves to a continual
conversation with Him with freedom and in simplicity. We need only
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recognize God intimately present with us and address ourselves to Him
every moment. We need to beg His assistance for knowing His will in
things doubtful and for rightly performing those things which we
plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them,
and giving God thanks when we have completed them.
In our conversation with God we should engage in praising, adoring,
and loving Him incessantly for His infinite goodness and perfection.
Without being discouraged because of our sins, we should pray for His
grace with perfect confidence, relying on the infinite merits of our
Lord. Brother Lawrence said that God never failed offering us His grace
at each action. It never failed except when Brother Lawrence's
thoughts had wandered from a sense of God's presence, or he forgot
to ask His assistance. He said that God always gave us light in our
doubts when we had no other design but to please Him.
Our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works. Instead, it
depended on doing those things for God's sake which we commonly do
for our own. He thought it was lamentable to see how many people
mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works
which they performed very imperfectly because of their human or
selfish regard. The most excellent method he had found for going to
God was that of doing our common business without any view of
pleasing men but purely for the love of God.
Brother Lawrence felt it was a great delusion to think that the times of
prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as strictly obliged to
adhere to God by action in the time of action, as by prayer in its time.
His own prayer was simply a sense of the presence of God, his soul
being at that time aware of nothing other than Divine Love. When the
appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because
he still continued with God, praising and thanking Him with all his
might. Thus his life was a continual joy.
Brother Lawrence said we ought, once and for all, heartily put our
whole trust in God, and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him,
secure that He would not deceive us. We ought not weary of doing
little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the
work, but the love with which it is performed. We should not wonder if,
in the beginning, we often failed in our endeavors, but that at last we
should gain a habit which will naturally produce its acts in us without
our effort and to our great delight.
The whole substance of religion was faith, hope, and charity. In the
practice of these we become united to the will of God. Everything else
is indifferent and to be used as a means that we may arrive at our end
and then be swallowed up by faith and charity. All things are possible
to him who believes. They are less difficult to him who hopes. They are
more easy to him who loves, and still more easy to him who
perseveres in the practice of these three virtues. The end we ought to
propose to ourselves is to become, in this life, the most perfect
worshippers of God we can possibly be, and as we hope to be through
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all eternity.
We must, from time to time, honestly consider and thoroughly
examine ourselves. We will, then, realize that we are worthy of great
contempt. Brother Lawrence noted that when we directly confront
ourselves in this manner, we will understand why we are subject to all
kinds of misery and problems. We will realize why we are subject to
changes and fluctuations in our health, mental outlook, and
dispositions. And we will, indeed, recognize that we deserve all the
pain and labor God sends to humble us.
After this, we should not wonder that troubles, temptations,
oppositions, and contradictions happen to us from men. We ought, on
the contrary, submit ourselves to them and bear them as long as God
pleases as things highly advantageous to us. The greater perfection a
soul aspires after, the more dependent it is upon Divine Grace.
Being questioned by one of his own community, to whom he was
obliged to respond, by what means he had attained such an habitual
sense of God; Brother Lawrence told him that, since his first coming to
the monastery, he had considered God as the aim and the end of all
his thoughts and desires.
In the beginning he spent the hours appointed for private prayer in
thinking of God, so as to convince his mind and impress deeply upon
his heart the Divine Existence. He did this by devout sentiments and
submission to the lights of faith, rather than by studied reasonings and
elaborate meditations. By this short and sure method he immersed
himself in the knowledge and love of God. He resolved to use his
utmost endeavor to live in a continual sense of His presence, and, if
possible, never to forget Him more.
When he had thus, in prayer, filled his mind with that Infinite Being,
he went to his work in the kitchen where he was then cook for the
community. There, having first considered the things his job required,
and when and how each thing was to be done; he spent all the
intervals of his time, both before and after his work, in prayer.
When he began, he said to God with a filial trust, "O my God, since
Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands,
apply my mind to these outward things, grant me the grace to
continue in Thy Presence; and prosper me with Thy assistance.
Receive all my works, and possess all my affections." As he proceeded
in his work, he continued his familiar conversation with his Maker,
imploring His grace, and offering Him all his actions.
When he was finished, he examined how he had performed his duty. If
he found well, he returned thanks to God. If not, he asked pardon and,
without being discouraged, he set his mind right again. He then
continued his exercise of the presence of God as if he had never
deviated from it. "Thus," said he, "by rising after my falls, and by
frequently renewed acts of faith and love, I have come to a state
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where it would be as difficult for me not to think of God as it was at
first to accustom myself to the habit of thinking of Him."
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. More strikingly, his example was a stronger inducement than
any arguments he could propose. His very countenance was edifying
with such a sweet and calm devotion appearing that he could not but
affect the beholders.
It was observed, that even in the busiest times in the kitchen, Brother
Lawrence still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He
was never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its turn with an
even, uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit. "The time of
work," said he, "does not with me differ from the time of prayer. In
the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the
same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great a
tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Supper."
Letters
Introduction: Brother Lawrence's letters are the very heart and soul
of what is titled 'The Practice of the Presence of God'. All of these
letters were written during the last ten years of his life. Many of them
were to long-time friends, a Carmelite sister and another nun at a
nearby convent. One or both of these friends were from his native
village, perhaps relatives.
The first letter was probably written to the prioress of one of these
convents. The second letter was written to Brother Lawrence's own
spiritual adviser. Note that the fourth letter is written in the third
person where Brother Lawrence describes his own experience. The
letters follow the tradition of substituting M_ for specific names.
First Letter: You so earnestly desire that I describe the method by
which I arrived at that habitual sense of God's presence, which our
merciful Lord has been pleased to grant me. I am complying with my
request that you show my letter to no one. If I knew that you would
let it be seen, all the desire I have for your spiritual progress would
not be enough to make me comply.
The account I can give you is: Having found in many books different
methods of going to God and diverse practices of the spiritual life, I
thought this would serve rather to puzzle me than facilitate what I
sought after, which was nothing but how to become wholly God's. This
made me resolve to give the all for the All.
After having given myself wholly to God to make all the satisfaction I
could for my sins, I renounced, for the love of Him, everything that
was not God; and I began to live as if there was none but He and I in
the world.
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Sometimes I considered myself before Him as a poor criminal at the
feet of his judge. At other times I beheld Him in my heart as my
Father, as my God. I worshipped Him the oftenest I could, keeping my
mind in His holy presence and recalling it as often as I found it
wandered from Him. I made this my business not only at the
appointed times of prayer but all the time; every hour, every minute,
even in the height of my work. I drove from my mind everything that
interrupted my thoughts of God.
I found no small pain in this exercise. Yet I continued it
notwithstanding all the difficulties that occurred. I tried not to trouble
or disquiet myself when my mind wandered. Such has been my
common practice ever since I entered religious life. Though I have
done it very imperfectly, I have found great advantages by it. These, I
well know, are due to the mercy and goodness of God, because we can
do nothing without Him; and I still less than any.
When we are faithful to keep ourselves in His holy presence, and set
Him always before us, this hinders our offending Him and doing
anything that may displease Him. It also begets in us a holy freedom,
and, if I may so speak, a familiarity with God, where, when we ask, He
supplies the grace we need. Over time, by often repeating these acts,
they become habitual, and the presence of God becomes quite natural
to us.
Please give Him thanks with me for His great goodness towards me,
which I can never sufficiently express, and for the many favors He has
done for so miserable a sinner as I am. May all things praise Him.
Amen.
Second Letter: Not finding my manner of life described in books,
although I have no problem with that, yet, for reassurance, I would
appreciate your thoughts about it.
In conversation some days ago, a devout person told me the spiritual
life was a life of grace, which begins with servile fear, is increased by
hope of eternal life, and is completed by pure love; that each of these
states had its different phases, by which one arrives, at last, at that
blessed consummation.
I have not followed these methods at all. On the contrary, I
instinctively felt they would discourage me. Instead, at my entrance
into religious life, I took a resolution to give myself up to God as the
best satisfaction I could make for my sins and, for the love of Him, to
renounce all besides.
For the first years, I commonly employed myself during the time set
apart for devotion with thoughts of death, judgment, hell, heaven, and
my sins. I continued, for some years, applying my mind carefully the
rest of the day, and even in the midst of my work, to the presence of
God, whom I considered always as with me, often as in my heart.
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At length I began to do the same thing during my set time of prayer,
which gave me joy and consolation. This practice produced in me so
high an esteem for God that faith alone was enough to assure me.
Such was my beginning. Yet I must tell you that, for the first ten
years, I suffered a great deal. During this time I fell often and rose
again presently. It seemed to me that all creatures, reason, and God,
Himself, were against me and faith alone for me.
The apprehension that I was not devoted to God as I wished to be, my
past sins always on my mind, and the great unmerited favors which
God did for me, were the source of my sufferings and feelings of
unworthiness. I was sometimes troubled with thoughts that to believe
I had received such favors was an effect of my imagination, which
pretended to be so soon where others arrived with great difficulty. At
other times I believed it was all a willful delusion and that there was
no hope for me.
Finally, I considered the prospect of spending the rest of my days in
these troubles. I discovered this did not diminish the trust I had in
God. In fact, it only served to increase my faith. It then seemed that,
all at once, I found myself changed. My soul, which, until that time
was in trouble, felt a profound inward peace, as if she was in her
center and place of rest.
Ever since that time 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.
As for what passes in me at present, I cannot express it. I have no
pain or difficulty about my state because I have no will but that of
God. I endeavor to accomplish His will in all things. I am so resigned
that I would not take up a straw from the ground against His order or
from any motive but that of pure love for Him.
I have ceased all forms of devotion and set prayers except those which
my state requires. I make it my priority to persevere in His holy
presence, wherein I maintain a simple attention and a fond regard for
God, which I may call an actual presence of God. Or, to put it another
way, it is an habitual, silent, and private conversation of the soul with
God. This gives me much joy and contentment. In short, I am sure,
beyond all doubt, that my soul has been with God above these past
thirty years. I pass over many things that I may not be tedious to you.
Yet, 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. In deep regret I confess
all my wickedness to Him. I ask His forgiveness. I abandon myself in
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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
this way I consider myself continually in His holy presence.
My most usual method is this simple attention, an affectionate regard
for God to whom I find myself often attached with greater sweetness
and delight than that of an infant at the mother's breast. To choose an
expression, I would call this state the bosom of God for the
inexpressible sweetness which I taste and experience there. If, at any
time, my thoughts wander from this state from necessity or infirmity, I
am presently recalled by inward emotions so charming and delicious
that I cannot find words to describe them.
Please reflect on my great wretchedness, of which you are fully
informed, rather than on the great favors God does one as unworthy
and ungrateful as I am.
As for my set hours of prayer, they are simply a continuation of the
same exercise. Sometimes I consider myself as a stone before a
carver, whereof He is to make a statue. Presenting myself thus before
God, I desire Him to make His perfect image in my soul and render me
entirely like Himself.
At other times, when I apply myself to prayer, I feel all my spirit lifted
up without any care or effort on my part. This continues as if my soul
was suspended yet firmly fixed in God like a center or place of rest.
I know that some charge this state with inactivity, delusion, and self-
love. I confess that it is a holy inactivity. And it would be a happy self-
love if the soul, in that state, were capable of it. But while the soul is
in this repose, she cannot be disturbed by the kinds of things to which
she was formerly accustomed. The things that the soul used to depend
on would now hinder rather than assist her.
Yet, I cannot see how this could be called delusion, because the soul
which enjoys God in this way wants nothing but Him. If this is
delusion, then only God can remedy it. Let Him do what He pleases
with me. I desire only Him and to be wholly devoted to Him.
Please send me your opinion as I greatly value and have a singular
esteem for your reverence, and am yours.
Third Letter: We have a God who is infinitely gracious and knows all
our wants. I always thought that He would reduce you to extremity.
He will come in His own time, and when you least expect Him. Hope in
Him more than ever. Thank Him with me for the favors He does you,
particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your
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afflictions. It is a plain mark of the care He takes of you. Comfort
yourself with Him, and give thanks for all.
I admire also the fortitude and bravery of M_. God has given him a
good disposition and a good will; but he is still a little worldly and
somewhat immature. I hope the affliction God has sent him will help
him do some reflection and inner searching and that it may prove to
be a wholesome remedy to him. It is a chance for him to put all his
trust in God who accompanies him everywhere. Let him think of Him
as much as he can, especially in time of great danger.
A little lifting up of the heart and a remembrance of God suffices. One
act of inward worship, though upon a march with sword in hand, are
prayers which, however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to
God. And, far from lessening a soldier's courage in occasions of
danger, they actually serve to fortify it.
Let him think of God as often as possible. Let him accustom himself,
by degrees, to this small but holy exercise. No one sees it, and nothing
is easier than to repeat these little adorations all through the day.
Please recommend to him that he think of God the most he can in this
way. It is very fit and most necessary for a soldier, who is daily faced
with danger to his life, and often to his very salvation.
I hope that God will assist him and all the family, to whom I present
my service, being theirs and yours.
Fourth Letter: I am taking this opportunity to tell you about the
sentiments of one of our society concerning the admirable effects and
continual assistance he receives from the presence of God. May we
both profit by them.
For the past forty years his continual care has been to be always with
God; and to do nothing, say nothing, and think nothing which may
displease Him. He does this without any view or motive except pure
love of Him and because God deserves infinitely more.
He is now so accustomed to that divine presence that he receives from
God continual comfort and peace. For about thirty years his soul has
been filled with joy and delight so continual, and sometimes so great,
that he is forced to find ways to hide their appearing outwardly to
others who may not understand.
If sometimes he becomes a little distracted from the divine presence,
God gently recalls Himself by a stirring in his soul. This often happens
when he is most engaged in his outward chores and tasks. He answers
with exact fidelity to these inward drawings, either by an elevation of
his heart to God, or by a meek and fond regard for Him, or by such
words as love forms on these occasions. For instance, he may say, "My
God, here I am all devoted to You," or "Lord, make me according to
Your heart."
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It seems to him (in fact, he feels it) that this God of love, satisfied with
such few words, reposes again and rests in the depth and center of his
soul. The experience of these things gives him such certainty that God
is always in the innermost part of his soul that he is beyond doubting it
under any circumstances.
Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys. While he
continually finds within himself so great a treasure, he no longer has
any need to search for it. He no longer has any anxiety about finding
it, because he now has his treasure open before him and may take
what he pleases of it.
He often points out our blindness and exclaims that those who content
themselves with so little are to be pitied. God, says he, has infinite
treasure to bestow, and we take so little through routine devotion,
which lasts but a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder God, and stop
the current of His grace. But when He finds a soul penetrated with a
lively faith, He pours into it His grace and favors plentifully. There they
flow like a torrent, which, after being forcibly stopped against its
ordinary course, when it has found a passage, spreads itself with
impetuosity and abundance.
Yet we often stop this torrent by the little value we set upon it. Let us
stop it no more. Let us enter into ourselves and break down the bank
which hinders it. Let us make way for grace. Let us redeem the lost
time, for perhaps we have but little left. Death follows us close; so let
us be well prepared. We die but once and a mistake there is
irretrievable.
I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses. There is no
room for delay. Our souls are at stake. It seems to me that you are
prepared and have taken good measures so you will not be taken by
surprise. I commend you for it. It is the one thing necessary. We must
always work at it, because not to persevere in the spiritual life is to go
back. But those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even
in sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms,
let us awake the Lord who reposes within. He will quickly calm the sea.
I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments that
you may compare them with your own. May they serve to re-kindle
them, if at any time they may be even a little cooled. Let us recall our
first favors and remember our early joys and comforts. And, let us
benefit from the example and sentiments of this brother who is little
known by the world, but known and extremely caressed by God.
I will pray for you. Please pray also for me, as I am yours in our Lord.
Fifth Letter: Today I received two books and a letter from Sister M_,
who is preparing to make her profession. She desires the prayers of
your holy society, and yours in particular. I think she greatly values
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your support. Please do not disappoint her. Pray to God that she may
take her vows in view of His love alone, with a firm resolution to be
wholly devoted to Him. I will send you one of those books about the
presence of God; a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole
spiritual life. It seems to me that whoever duly practices it will soon
become devout.
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. 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. Only those can comprehend
it who practice 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.
Let us do it from a principle of love, and because it is God's will for us.
Were I a preacher, I would, above all other things, preach the practice
of the presence of God. Were I a director, I would 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 would never
lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment.
Believe me. Immediately make a holy and firm resolution never more
to forget Him. Resolve to spend the rest of your days in His sacred
presence, deprived of all consolations for the love of Him if He thinks
fit. Set heartily about this work, and if you do it sincerely, 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 you and those of your holy society.
Sixth Letter: I have received from M_ the things which you gave her
for me. I wonder that you have not given me your thoughts on the
little book I sent to you. 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 and center of my soul as much as I can. While I am
with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is
insupportable. This practice does not tire the body. It is, however,
proper to deprive it sometimes, nay often, of many little pleasures
which are innocent and lawful. God will not permit a soul that desires
to be devoted entirely to Him to take pleasures other than with Him.
That is more than reasonable.
I do not say we must put any violent constraint upon ourselves. No,
we must serve God in a holy freedom. We must work faithfully without
trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to God mildly and with
tranquility as often as we find it wandering from Him. It is, however,
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necessary to put our whole trust in God. We must lay aside all other
cares and even some forms of devotion, though very good in
themselves, yet such as one often engages in routinely. Those
devotions are only means to attain to the end.
Once we have established a habit of the practice of the presence of
God, we are then with Him who is our end. We have no need to return
to the means. We may simply continue with Him in our commerce of
love, persevering in His holy presence with an act of praise, of
adoration, or of desire; or with an act of resignation, or thanksgiving,
and in all the ways our spirit can invent.
Be not discouraged by the repugnance which you may find in it from
nature. You must sacrifice yourself. At first, one often thinks it a waste
of time. But you must go on and resolve to persevere in it until 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.
Seventh Letter: I pity you much. It will be a great relief if you can
leave the care of your affairs to M_ and spend the remainder of your
life only in worshipping 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 favors He has
given you, and still gives you in the midst of your troubles. Console
yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him at
your meals and when you are in company. The least little
remembrance will always be pleasing to Him.
You need not cry very loud. He is nearer to us than we are aware. We
do not always have to be in church to be with God. We may make an
oratory of our heart so we can, from time to time, retire 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 nearly
sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God.
Sufferings will be sweet and pleasant while we are with Him. Without
Him, the greatest pleasures will be a cruel punishment to us. May He
be praised by all.
Gradually become accustomed to worship Him in this way; 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.
Instead, act in faith with love and humility.
You may assure M_ of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant,
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and yours particularly.
Eighth Letter: You tell me nothing new. You are not the only one who
is troubled with wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving.
But the will is mistress of all our faculties. She must recall our stray
thoughts and carry them to God as their final end.
If the mind is not sufficiently controlled and disciplined at our first
engaging in devotion, it contracts certain bad habits of wandering and
dissipation. These are difficult to overcome. The mind can draw us,
even against our will, to worldly things. I believe one remedy for this is
to humbly confess our faults and beg God's mercy and help.
I do not advise you to use many words and long discourses in prayer,
because they are often the occasions of wandering. Hold yourself in
prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic be ar at a rich man's
gate. Let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the
Lord. If your mind sometimes wanders and withdraws itself from Him,
do not become upset. Trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the
mind than to re-collect it. The will must bring it back in tranquility. 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 tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other
times. Keep your mind strictly in the presence of God. Then 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 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.
Ninth Letter: The enclosed is an answer to that which I received from
M_. Please deliver it to her. She is full of good will but she would go
faster than grace! One does not become holy all at once. I recommend
her to your guidance. We ought to help one another by our advice, and
yet more by our good example. Please let me hear of her from time to
time and whether she is very fervent and obedient.
Let us often consider 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 over forty years in the monastic life. Have we used those years in
loving and serving God, who by His mercy has called us to this state
and for that very end? I am sometimes filled with shame and confusion
when I reflect, on the one hand, on the great favors God has done and
continues to do for me; and, on the other, on the ill use I have made
of them and my small advancement in the way of perfection.
Since, by His mercy, He gives us yet a little time, let us begin in
earnest. Let us repair the lost time. Let us return with full assurance to
that Father of mercies, who is always ready to receive us
affectionately. Let us generously renounce, for the love of Him, all that
is not Himself. He deserves infinitely more. Let us think of Him
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perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him.
I have no doubt that we shall soon receive an 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 pray to Him for it
constantly.
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
always say the same thing. It is true, for this is the best and easiest
method I know. I use no other. I advise all the world to do 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.
Tenth Letter: I have had a good deal of difficulty bringing myself to
write to M_. I do it now purely because you desire me to do so. Please
address it and send it to him. It is pleasing to see all the faith you
have in God. May He increase it in you more and more. We cannot
have too much trust in so good and faithful a Friend who will never fail
us in this world nor in the next.
If M_ takes 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 attached to him he has lost. We ought to love our
friends, but without encroaching upon the love of God, which must
always be first.
Please keep my recommendation in mind that you think of God often;
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 forget Him but think of Him often. Adore
Him continually. Live and die with Him. This is the glorious work of a
Christian; in a word, this is our profession. If we do not know it, we
must learn it.
I will endeavor to help you with my prayers, and am yours in our Lord.
Eleventh Letter: I do not pray that you may be delivered from your
pains; but I pray earnestly that God gives 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 are 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 judges necessary for you.
Worldly people do not comprehend these truths. It is not surprising
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though, since they suffer like what they are and not like Christians.
They see sickness as a pain against nature and not as a favor from
God. 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, out of His mercy, and as the means He uses for their salvation,
commonly find sweetness and consolation in it.
I pray that you see that God is often nearer to us and present within
us in sickness than in health. Do not rely completely on another
physician because God reserves your cure to Himself. Put all your trust
in God. You will soon find the effects in your recovery, which we often
delay by putting greater faith in medicine than in God. Whatever
remedies you use, they will succeed only so far as He permits. When
pains come from God, only He can ultimately cure them. He often
sends sickness to the body to cure diseases of the soul. Comfort
yourself with the Sovereign Physician of both soul and body.
I expect you will say that I am very much at ease, and that I eat and
drink at the table of the Lord. You have reason. But think how painful
it would be to the greatest criminal in the world to eat at the king's
table and be served by him, yet have no assurance of pardon. I
believe he would feel an anxiety that nothing could calm except his
trust in the goodness of his sovereign. So I assure you, that whatever
pleasures I taste at the table of my King, my sins, ever present before
my eyes, as well as the uncertainty of my pardon, torment me.
Though I accept that torment as something pleasing to God.
Be satisfied with the condition in which God places you. However
happy you may think me, I envy you. Pain and suffering would be a
paradise to me if I could suffer with my God. The greatest pleasures
would be hell if I relished them without Him. My only 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. I see Him in such a manner that I sometimes
say, I believe no more, but I see. I feel what faith teaches us, and, in
that assurance and that practice of faith, I live and die with Him.
Stay with God always. He is the only support and comfort for your
affliction. I shall beseech Him to be with you. I present my service.
Twelfth Letter: If we were well accustomed to the practice of the
presence of God, bodily discomforts would be greatly alleviated. God
often permits us to suffer a little to purify our soul and oblige us to
stay close to Him.
Take courage. Offer Him your pains and pray to Him for strength to
endure them. Above all, get in the habit of often thinking of God, and
forget Him the least you can. Adore Him in your infirmities. Offer
yourself to Him from time to time. In the height of your sufferings,
humbly and affectionately beseech Him, as a child to his father, to
make you conformable to His holy will. I shall endeavor to assist you
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with my poor prayers.
God has many ways of drawing us to Himself. He sometimes seems to
hide Himself from us. But faith alone ought to be our support. Faith is
the foundation of our confidence. We must put all our faith in God. He
will not fail us in time of need. I do not know how God will dispose of
me, but I am always happy. All the world suffers and I, who deserve
the severest discipline, feel joys so continual and great that I can
scarcely contain them. I would willingly ask God for a part of your
sufferings.
I know my weakness is so great that, if He left me one moment to
myself, I would be the most wretched man alive. Yet, I do not know
how He could leave me alone because faith gives me as strong a
conviction as reason. He never forsakes us until we have first forsaken
Him. Let us fear to leave Him. Let us always be with Him. Let us live
and die in His presence. Do pray for me, as I pray for you.
Thirteenth Letter: I am sorry to see you suffer so long. What gives
me some ease and sweetens the feeling I have about your griefs, is
that they are proof of God's love for you. See your pains in that view
and you will bear them more easily. In your case, it is my opinion that,
at this point, you should discontinue human remedies and resign
yourself entirely to the providence of God. Perhaps He waits only for
that resignation and perfect faith in Him to cure you. Since, in spite of
all the care you have taken, treatment has proved unsuccessful and
your malady still increases, wait no longer. Put yourself entirely in His
hands and expect all from Him.
I told you in my last letter that He sometimes permits bodily
discomforts to cure the distempers of the soul. Have courage. Make a
virtue of necessity. Do not ask God for deliverance from your pain.
Instead, out of love for Him, ask for the strength to resolutely bear all
that He pleases, and as long as He pleases. Such prayers are hard at
first, but they are very pleasing to God, and become sweet to those
that love Him.
Love sweetens pain. When one loves God, one suffers for His sake with
joy and courage. Do so, I beseech you. Comfort yourself with Him. He
is the only physician for all our illnesses. He is the Father of the
afflicted and always ready to help us. He loves us infinitely more than
we can imagine. Love Him in return and seek no consolation
elsewhere. I hope you will soon receive His comfort.
I will help you with my prayers, poor as they are, and shall always be
yours in our Lord.
Fourteenth Letter: I give thanks to our Lord for having relieved you
a little as you desired. I have often been near death and I was never
so satisfied as then. At those times I did not pray for any relief, but I
prayed for strength to suffer with courage, humility, and love. How
sweet it is to suffer with God! However great your sufferings may be,
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receive them with love. It is paradise to suffer and be with Him. If, in
this life, we might enjoy the peace of paradise, we must accustom
ourselves to a familiar, humble, and affectionate conversation with
God.
We must hinder our spirits' wandering from Him on all occasions. We
must make our heart a spiritual temple so we can constantly adore
Him. We must continually watch over ourselves so we do not do
anything that may displease Him. When our minds and hearts are filled
with God, suffering becomes full of unction and consolation.
I well know that to arrive at this state, the beginning is very difficult
because we must act purely on faith. But, though it is difficult, we
know also that we can do all things with the grace of God. He never
refuses those who ask earnestly. Knock. Persevere in knocking. I
answer for it, that, in His due time, He will open His grace to you. He
will grant, all at once, what He has deferred during many years.
Pray to Him for me, as I pray to Him for you. I hope to see Him soon.
Fifteenth Letter: God knows best what we need. All that He does is
for our good. If we knew how much He loves us, we would always be
ready to receive both the bitter and the sweet from His Hand. It would
make no difference. All that came from Him would be pleasing.
The worst afflictions only appear intolerable if we see them in the
wrong light. When we see them as coming from the hand of God, and
know that it is our loving Father who humbles and distresses us, our
sufferings lose their bitterness and can even become a source of
consolation.
Let all our efforts be to know God. The more one knows Him, the
greater one desires to know Him. Knowledge is commonly the measure
of love. The deeper and more extensive our knowledge, the greater is
our love. If our love of God were great we would love Him equally in
pain and pleasure.
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. Let us
seek Him often by faith. He is within us. Seek Him not elsewhere.
Are we not rude and deserve blame if we leave Him alone to busy
ourselves with trifles which do not please Him and perhaps even offend
Him? These trifles may one day cost us dearly. Let us begin earnestly
to be devoted to Him. Let us cast everything else out of our heart. He
wants to possess the heart alone. Beg this favor of Him. If we do all
we can, we will soon see that change wrought in us which we so
greatly desire.
I cannot thank Him enough for the relief He has given you. I hope to
see Him within a few days. Let us pray for one another.
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Brother Lawrence died within days of this last letter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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