The Practice of the Presence of God in Modern English


Book Description

The Practice of the Presence of God in Modern English is modern translation of the timeless spiritual classic. Written over 300 years ago in French, The Practice of the Presence of God is here presented in language understandable to the twenty-first century English reader. Not a paraphrase or an abridgment, this version is a faithful rendering of the text in the spirit of the original work. Brother Lawrence was a seventeenth century Christian who had a dramatic spiritual awakening at the age of eighteen. Seeing a tree in winter, his soul suddenly opened to the presence of God. Within six years he had entered a Carmelite monastery in Paris, where he worked chiefly in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning. He practiced a simple and natural method. He merely turned his attention to the Divine Presence available at all times during any activity. He reports that he was as fully present with God while washing dishes in the kitchen as he was when partaking of the sacrament in worship. The profound peace and joy evident in Lawrence's life attracted many visitors, who sought to learn the secret of his unique spiritual practice. Originally published shortly after his death, this volume consists of personal conversations and letters, which communicate how one can experience God at all times. Also included in this edition are his Spiritual Maxims, a document that was discovered among his belongings after his death.







Practicing His Presence


Book Description

If you wish to know your Lord in a deeper way, your are invited to join the numerous Christians who, over three centuries, have turned to this book in order to begin that journey to the depths of Christ.




The Practice of the Presence of God


Book Description

People all over the world have been inspired and encouraged by the classic memoir of Brother Lawrence. This special edition unpacks core insights that cut to the heart of an intimate relationship with God. This version modernizes the text and includes a 40-day devotional that parallels the content for enhanced understanding. Through the stories of Brother Lawrence’s struggles, Scriptures that inspired him, and his humble words of wisdom, you’ll find encouragement to help you focus your heart and mind on God and faithfully live in His presence.




The Practice of the Presence of God


Book Description

Practice turning ordinary life experiences into a conversation with God! With all the distractions and busyness of everyday life, trying to remain connected to God can be a real challenge. Fortunately, a Carmelite monk named Brother Lawrence understood this problem and laid out a spiritual approach to living in God’s presence that is as practical today as it was almost four hundred years ago. Since it was first published in 1691, The Practice of the Presence of God contains a collection of notes, letters, and interviews given by Brother Lawrence to his friends as a way of helping them turn ordinary daily life events into conversations with God. Based on this timeless classic, The Practice of the Presence of God: A 40-Day Devotion guides readers on a 40-day journey through the wisdom of Brother Lawrence, related Scripture passages, and devotional thoughts that bring you into a more conversational relationship with God. The Practice of the Presence of God: A 40-Day Devotion includes: - Daily devotional readings with book excerpt, Scripture references, and devotional thoughts - The complete conversations and letters from Brother Lawrence - Additional resources including a small-group discussion guide, Spiritual Maxims, and The Life of Brother Lawrence available for free online - Perfect for book clubs, small groups, or individual Bible study - Available in print or e-book formats Devote some time to examining the content of this small but powerful book that has inspired millions of Christians over centuries to develop a deeper awareness of the presence of God. Frequently Asked Questions: Does the book include the entire work of Brother Lawrence? This book includes the conversations and letters that make up the bulk of the work commonly known as The Practice of the Presence of God as well as a 40-day devotional plan that guides you through sections of the writings of Brother Lawrence. Additionally, we have made available Spirituals Maxims by Brother Lawrence and The Life of Brother Lawrence for free on the publisher’s website. What is the format of the devotional? The daily devotional readings include a book excerpt, Scripture references, and a devotional thought for each day. The devotion can be started at any time of the year and is flexible to individual reader’s schedules. Is there a group discussion guide? Yes! You will find a free group discussion guide on the publisher’s website that is perfect for individual and small group use. Can anyone lead the group discussion? Absolutely! The questions are created in a discussion format allowing leaders to simply guide participants through each study question.




Practicing God's Presence


Book Description

For centuries, the sayings of Brother Lawrence, a seventeenth-century monk, have shown believers how to follow and live like Christ. Now a new generation can discover the joy of practicing the presence of God with this updated version.




Spiritual Maxims of Brother Lawrence


Book Description

Here is a small book with the Maxims of Brother Lawrence. The book is set up so that you can absorb these maxims with short, easy readings each day over the course of one month, allowing you ample time to reflect and meditate upon each maxim.




The Practice of the Presence of God Study Guide


Book Description

A study guide for Individual and Group study. Includes the text of Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God" with Reflection questions, Prayer Exercises, and group discussion questions. For Bulk orders of more than 10 books, go to desertdirection.com.




How God Becomes Real


Book Description

The hard work required to make God real, how it changes the people who do it, and why it helps explain the enduring power of faith How do gods and spirits come to feel vividly real to people—as if they were standing right next to them? Humans tend to see supernatural agents everywhere, as the cognitive science of religion has shown. But it isn’t easy to maintain a sense that there are invisible spirits who care about you. In How God Becomes Real, acclaimed anthropologist and scholar of religion T. M. Luhrmann argues that people must work incredibly hard to make gods real and that this effort—by changing the people who do it and giving them the benefits they seek from invisible others—helps to explain the enduring power of faith. Drawing on ethnographic studies of evangelical Christians, pagans, magicians, Zoroastrians, Black Catholics, Santeria initiates, and newly orthodox Jews, Luhrmann notes that none of these people behave as if gods and spirits are simply there. Rather, these worshippers make strenuous efforts to create a world in which invisible others matter and can become intensely present and real. The faithful accomplish this through detailed stories, absorption, the cultivation of inner senses, belief in a porous mind, strong sensory experiences, prayer, and other practices. Along the way, Luhrmann shows why faith is harder than belief, why prayer is a metacognitive activity like therapy, why becoming religious is like getting engrossed in a book, and much more. A fascinating account of why religious practices are more powerful than religious beliefs, How God Becomes Real suggests that faith is resilient not because it provides intuitions about gods and spirits—but because it changes the faithful in profound ways.




Into God's Presence


Book Description

For the heart that longs for communion with Christ... For the soul that thirsts for intimacy with its Creator... For the man or woman in search of a living relationship with the Living God... Meditation and contemplative prayer have been described as the best-kept secrets in the church. Introducing this ancient spiritual discipline and applying it to the needs of busy contemporary people, Into God’s Presence helps readers bring the gentle rhythms of grace into a twenty-four/seven world. From one-minute meditations for hectic days to contemplating Scripture for spiritual insight, readers will discover a wide range of practices for creating a deeper intimacy with God in their daily prayer life. Into God’s Presence offers simple and accessible ways to communicate with God in prayer every day, encouraging readers to integrate the timeless practice of meditative prayer into modern life. This delightful book on meditation is a timely reminder of our need to be still before God, in order to hear from him. – Fiona Castle Liz Babbs book gives a friendly and approachable introduction to Christian meditation, and will stimulate many to venture into an enriching and rewarding new journey with Jesus Christ. -- Rev Dr Rob Frost I’ve enjoyed all Liz’s books, but this one beats them all! She manages to make the mysterious and complex subjects of contemplative prayer, Christian meditation and knowing God intimately seem easy and possible even for a busy ‘Martha’ like me! – Jennifer Rees Larcombe