There’s only one person I ever call at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. It’s Suzanne. I don’t remember the date it started, but we’ve been doing this for almost thirteen years. It’s become a part of my week’s spiritual rhythm…like going to church on Sunday morning. It doesn’t cross my mind not to do it unless an act of God prohibits it. Although, I have been known to oversleep a few times!
We share our life’s story for the past week, hold each other accountable, and cry out to God for each other and our families. It’s one of the most beautiful moments of my week. There’s this one thing that Suzanne and I keep circling back to just about every week. How do we practice the presence of God throughout our day? How do we remember, more often and consistently that God is with us and helps us? How do we more readily worship Him and thank Him throughout our day? If you’re a follower of Christ, you dream of days like this, yet I don’t personally know anyone who claims to have it down.
If we had this perfected, I guess we wouldn’t need Tuesday mornings.
So we’ve decided that our struggle to do this is a beautiful one because at least we’re struggling. I mean, we could be lacking awareness to the need. Or we could be aware but without a care. Instead, we’re aware and struggling. And I think God loves that. He knows we won’t do it perfectly, that is why He gave us Jesus. So a struggle it is, and a struggle it will always be on this side of glory.
But how can we make it easier? How can we cooperate with Jesus? How can we practice His presence more and more?
A couple of years ago I stayed overnight alone in a little hermitage on a cliff that overlooked the Mississippi River in order to simply be with God. It was a stunning experience in continuous solitude. I was absolutely quiet for over twenty-four hours. How I wish there was a way to experience the peace from God’s presence that I had there in every moment of my life! Here is a picture that I took from the inside of my one-room cabin.
Most of us can’t run off to a cabin each day. I do believe, though, that we CAN experience peace and the abundant spiritual life as we turn to Him throughout our days. This turning becomes more streamlined and easier as we practice it throughout our lives.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).”Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
For the next six weeks, I’ll be focusing on a book by Brother Lawrence called The Practice of the Presence of God. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?
“Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth. It is the art of “practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end.” He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul. We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence. For nearly 300 years this unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day.” (Amazon book description)
DISCLAIMER: Brother Lawrence and I may not hold all the same views on theology, but I do agree with him on his basic six points of practicing the presence of God. Please remember…we are not Brother Lawrence! Most of us do not live in a monastery, we live in the world. We may have spouses, children, many friends and family able to text us and call us at all moments of the day. We leave our homes daily and work and play with a variety of people. Our lives will not look like Brother Lawrence’s life exactly. And maybe that’s a good thing! We also can’t forget the importance of being lead, not merely by our experiencing God, but by His Word. We should look forward to Him interacting with us by His Word, not only in being mindful of Him. In this series, I’ve made an attempt to add God’s Word to guide and inform us through the points that He makes. I want to encourage you to allow God’s Word to guide and inform you in all your moments.
If you would like your own copy of The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, please click on the link below. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I will be focusing on the practices that brother Lawrence wrote were necessary to develop the spiritual life.
Here’s a quick list to peak your interest!
- Finding constant pleasure in His divine company
- Conversing with God in little ways while we do our work
- Doing everything with great care
- Stopping for a few minutes – as often as possible – to praise God
- Adoring God in faith
- Carefully examining ourselves
What are some ways you practice His presence? Will you join me for the next six weeks as I explore this book a bit and focus on ways that we can once again turn to Jesus, His grace, and His kingdom? I’d love to know if brother Lawrence’s thoughts from about 400 years ago are consistent with your thoughts on this topic now! Let’s find out together!
Do you struggle to find peace? One of the reasons I created the course Overcoming Overwhelm was because I was going through a season of an overwhelming lack of peace. Click here to learn more about the course:
Linking up this week with these lovely bloggers:
So looking forward to this series!
Glad you will join me!
I’m looking forward to this series also! I’ve read his book several times, but I recently found out from a friend about an updated version in modern english. So I’ve begun reading this version, asking God to open my eyes to see things I have missed in past readings. So this series is a gift of God’s timing!
Hi Bettie–I actually did this a few years ago and I enjoyed it so much. I’m digging up the old blog posts and re-writing parts of them. I’m getting re-inspired!
First of all, this focus and theme are what my small group were just talking about this morning, Amy! We need to be intentional with this pursuit or it simply won’t happen! And I also wanted to say that I’ve been, I think, to that same hermitage on the Mississippi! (It is near Pevely, MO, correct?) It’s a great spot to have a spiritual retreat. You feel so much a part of God’s natural world nestled in the side of those cliffs. Maybe it’s time to schedule one of those again! I hope you get lots of friends to join you on reading through this book. I’m familiar with it, though I’ve never read it before. Hugs to you!
Hi Beth–Yep! That is the retreat I’m talking about! I agree–time to go again! Hey-do you still live in the area or did you move?
Intentionality is key…it does take some effort on our part in regards to making time and setting our minds on things. He does that amazing work if we just make room for Him! Thanks for visiting!
I have heard of this book–sounds like a great resource. For me, I have been working on the developing the habit of Bible study and prayer to begin the day, before I open the computer. As friends mention prayer requests–or send them in an e-mail or text–I am learning to pause and immediately pray. Still can grow in the area of offering praise and thanksgiving.
Hi Carol–Those are great habits to form. I especially appreciate the habit of bible study and prayer before devices! That’s hard, but worth the effort. I need to be more consistent. I hope you can follow along over the next six weeks!
Practicing the Presence of God is on my short list of all time favorite books! Such a simple book that was so life-changing for me years ago. I’ve read it many times since. What a great book for a series!
Hi Stacy! I’m finding that many who have read it go back to it again and again. It’s so practical for the timeless challenge for all followers of Christ. Thanks for visiting!
Amy, I am looking forward to your series. I think I bought the book and ended up giving it to someone who needed it more. Now I need it. I hope you will consider adding your series to Grace & Truth. I know our readers would benefit.
My favorite time to be in the presence of God is during ski season. I love riding up the lift and looking all around and seeing God’s beautiful creation.
Thank you for pointing me towards God.
Maree
Maree, thanks for visiting and reminding me about Grace & Truth. I thought that it was no longer happening so I stopped joining that link-up. I’m so glad to find it again! I have added my post! Ski lifts are wonderful ways to see God’s creation. I’ve only done it a handful of times in my life! Getting in nature is the absolute best way for me to easily connect with God!
Wonderful!! I love Brother Lawrence–so much to learn from this humble servant of God. I know your series will be a huge blessing to people!
Thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thanks for visiting and featuring my post on your lovely blog and link-up!
I love that book and revisit it from time to time. Perhaps it is time to revisit the book along with you 🙂
Yes–please do join me!