By the practice of the presence of God, by steadfast gaze on Him, the soul comes to a knowledge of God, full and deep, to an Unclouded Vision. All its life is passed in unceasing acts of love and worship, of contrition and of simple trust, of praise and prayer, and service. At times indeed life seems to be but one long unbroken practice of His divine presence.
-The Practice of The Presence of God, Brother Lawrence
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Hope breathes into the will a distrust of things seen, and sets it aflame with the consuming fire of divine love, for God's love is in very truth a consuming fire, burning to ashes all that is contrary to His will. The soul thus kindled cannot live save in the presence of God, and this presence works within the heart a consecrated zeal, a holy ardor, a violent passion to see this God known and loved, and served and worshipped by all His creatures.
-The Practice of The Presence of God, Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) The practice of the presence of God strengthens us in hope. Our hope grows in proportion as our knowledge; and in measure as our faith by this holy practice penetrates into the hidden mysteries of God, in like measure it finds in Him a beauty beyond compare, surpassing infinitely that of earth, and of the most holy souls and angels. Our hope grows and waxes ever stronger, sustained and enheartened by the fullness of the bliss, which it aspires to and even already tastes in part.
-The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence The first benefit which the soul receives from the presence of God is that faith grows more alive and active in all the events of life, particularly when we feel our need, since it obtains for us the succor of His grace when we are tempted, and in every time of trial. Accustomed by this practice to take faith as guide, the soul, by a simple remembrance, sees and feels God present, and calls upon Him freely and with assurance of response, receiving the supply of all its needs. By faith, it would seem, the soul draws very near to the state of the Blessed-the higher it advances, the more living does faith grow, until at last so piercing does the eye of faith become, that the soul can almost say-faith is swallowed up in sight, I see and I experience.
-The Practice of The Presence of God, Brother Lawrence Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 KJV That he expected hereafter some great pain of body or mind; that the worst that could happen to him was to lose that sense of God which he had enjoyed so long; but that the goodness of God assured him He would not forsake him utterly, and that He would give Him strength to bear whatever evil He permitted to happen to him; and therefore that he feared nothing, and had no occasion to consult with anybody about his state. That when he had attempted to do it, he had always come away more perplexed; and that as he was conscience of his readiness to lay down his life for the love of God, he had no apprehension of danger. That perfect resignation to God was a sure way to heaven, a way in which we had always sufficient light for our conduct.
That in the beginning of the spiritual life, we ought to be faithful in doing our duty and denying ourselves; but after that, unspeakable pleasures followed. That in difficulties we need only have recourse to Jesus Christ, and beg His grace; with which everything became easy. That many do not advance in the Christian progress, because they stick in penances and particular exercises, while they neglect the love of God, which is the end. That this appeared plainly by their works, and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue. That there needed neither art nor science for going to God, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only. The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) Third Conversation That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of God, his soul being at that time insesible to everything but Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy; yet hoped that God would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger.
That we ought, once for all, heartily to put our whole trust in God, and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him, secure that He would not deceive us. That 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. That 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 care, and to our exceeding great delight. The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) That the whole substance of religion was faith, hope, and charity; by the practice of which we become united to the will of God; that all besides is indifferent and to be used as a means that we may arrive at our end, and be swallowed up therein, by faith and charity.
That all things are possible to him who believes, that 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. That the end we ought to propose to ourselves is to become, in this life, the most perfect worshippers of God we can possibly be, as we hope to be through all eternity. The Practice of The Presence of God, Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) |
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