The Practice of the Presence of God (Brother Lawrence)

Brother Lawrence was a 17th century member of a Parisian monastery.  This book, The Practice of the Presence of God, is a Christian classic.  In it, Lawrence states that "we should establish ourselves in a sense of God's Presence by continually speaking with Him . . . It was a delusion to think that the times of prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as required to adhere to God in action, as by prayer in its season."  Basically, he's saying that we should be in community with God at all times, and He should influence all our actions.  He can't be 'put in a box' and considered only during prayer or on Sundays- the Christian walk requires nothing less than a constant, consistent communion with the Lord.  Brother Lawrence lived this out:

As he proceeded in his work, he continued his conversation with his Maker, imploring His grace, and offering to Him all his actions. When he had finished, he examined how he had fulfilled his duty; if he found well, he returned thanks to God. If otherwise, he asked pardon, and without being discouraged, he set his mind right again, and continued his exercise of the presence of God, as if he had never deviated from it.

This book is very short (95 small pages) and convicting- I recommend it for all Christians.  In college, I practiced the presence of God pretty well.  I've tapered off as I've aged, as [I confess] I've allowed the cares and concerns of adulthood to occupy more of my thoughts than they warrant.  This is to my detriment- the peace, contentment, and joy of being with (and delighting in) the Lord is far better.  I'll end with a final round of strung-together quotes from this book- may I take this to heart:

Be satisfied with the condition in which God places you . . . He sometimes permits bodily diseases to cure the distempers of the soul . . . Continue then always with God. It is the only support and comfort for your affliction . . . If we only knew the need we have of the grace and help of God, we should never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment.

Rating: A