The Classic Guide to Spiritual Devotion: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Millem: This little book is a classic. I bought it as a gift for a family member who I thought would love it as much as I do.

United States on Oct 31, 2023

Kindle Customer: It came as was discribed

United Kingdom on Sep 12, 2023

katherine degusto: Beautiful little book

United States on Aug 26, 2023

Jerzy: We love this book so much and would recommend this read for anyone.

United States on Aug 24, 2023

Lise Berube: Le livre est en excellente condition

Canada on Aug 23, 2023

Linnet Brown: Very effective book.

Canada on Sep 20, 2015

Rosalyn: I know that the Practice of the Presence of God is just about a classic in Christian literature in some circles. And that it has many positive reviews. But I suggest a word of caution about this book. Everything that glitters is not gold. Just because a writer appears to be very sincere at heart and has very high spiritual aspirations and speaks lovingly of God does not necessarily mean that his message or his practices are of God. I am going to restate that again in different words. We cannot accept a teaching about God as being approved and coming from God on the basis that it sounds and feels loving or honorable.

Brother Lawrence invites us to draw close to God just as he has done and he tells us how to do it. This on the surface sounds like an extremely good thing to do. The bible does state in James 4:8 Draw close to God and He will draw close to you. So to draw close to God and to encourage others to do likewise is a very good thing to do and I am not calling that part into question. But what I am calling into question is his approach for accomplishing this intimacy with the Lord. He asks us to approach God in the same way that he has done. But is his approach...

United States on May 14, 2015

juststartin: Whilst you may not agree with everything Brother Lawrence has to say, there are to me, some fundamental truths in here which are worth practising!
If like me, you struggle somewhat with retreats, personal reflection and contemplation to bring you closer to God, this book offers great encouragement and ideas to help re motivate and look at things from a slightly different perspective. I found it very helpful. I hope you do too. It is quick and easy to read in one sitting or you can dip in and out of it as and when you need it.

United Kingdom on Apr 02, 2013

UbiquitousGeorge: There are two books essential for the practicing the presence of the Lord.
This book is one of them and some have faulted this book for being so little and not nearly helpful enough. What this particular book lacks is enough and varied useful phrases that you can speak to the Lord, enough examples of when and how to take all your problems and your heart to the Lord and in a package to motivate you to do so. The following book fills in where the 'Practice of the Presence of the God' falls short:

How to Converse with God by St Alphonus Liguori
How to Converse Familiarly with God

Between the two you have everything you need. However, referring to the Psalms would be an additional technique or book of source material to further aid in lifting your spirit, heart and mind to the Lord.

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Some people have criticized this edition of 'Practicing the Presence of God' as not being the best. I am using the Whitaker House edition.
Frankly after going through 'Google Book's ' and looking for the free, out of copyright editions from 80-150 years ago, I cant
find any useful...

United States on May 12, 2012