“We ought not to be 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.”
― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
This little book, made up of collected letters from a monk written hundreds of years ago is a unique treasure and invitation to spiritual practice. Brother Lawrence wrote of his liberating practice of experiencing the presence of God in everything that he did and everywhere that he went: from worship to dishwashing….living with, and for God in all moments.
His practice of God’s presence centers around the focus of doing what we do, not to please others, nor to please ourselves with pride (which can be fake and dividing), but to do so for God. It’s in that way that we’ll do things the best that we can, in an way attentive to detail, to purpose, and simultaneously opening ourselves to the joy that only God can give us. It all stems from, and returns to a continual connection with God. It’s that lack of connection, or desire for connectedness, that moves us to spiritual practice and prayer. This way of be prayerfully attentive in all that you do, might be the practice that works well for you.
“That the most excellent method he had found of going to GOD, was that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, [Gal. i. 10; Eph. vi. 5, 6.] and (as far as we are capable) purely for the love of GOD.”
― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
Engage this spiritual practice more with online tools if it interests you:
Download a PDF of his book here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice
Take in a video reading of his letters here: