The Practice of the Presence of God: Day 1~Preface

Today is Day One of our exploration of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. In today's episode, we explore the fundamental themes of Brother Lawrence's teachings, emphasizing the importance of practicing God’s presence in our daily lives.

Brother Lawrence emphasizes that establishing this presence involves a continuous dialogue with God, an ongoing conversation interspersed throughout our daily activities. As we progress through this audiobook, you'll hear how this practice evolves into what he describes as 'simple attention,' derived from reflections in his sixth letter. This aspect of his teaching reminds us that cultivating such a habit is not instantaneous; it requires dedication and perseverance, with Brother Lawrence himself acknowledging that it took him nearly a decade to form this spiritual discipline.

Another key theme that emerges is the notion of abandonment to God’s providence. This echoes sentiments we explored last month. Brother Lawrence implores us to find satisfaction in the circumstances God has placed us in, encouraging us to resign ourselves completely to His will. He shares that if we could grasp the depth of God’s love, we would be prepared to receive both life's joys and trials with an equal sense of peace and openness. This idea of resignation not only fosters a deeper relationship with God but also invites us to navigate through life's inevitable ups and downs with grace.