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by Brother Lawrence (Author)
Where is God in the midst of the tumult and change of our lives? Where is He in our joys and sorrows, our difficulties and struggles, our daily tasks and responsibilities? He is not distant or uncaring. He is with us and in us--so much nearer than we can imagine. And He invites us to live in ongoing love and fellowship with Him, whether we are worshipping Him in church, cleaning the house, reconciling our checkbooks, working at our jobs, gathering with family and friends, or engaging in any other activity of life.
Nearer than We Imagine: Meditations on Practicing the Presence of God highlights pivotal areas of Brother Lawrence's renowned spiritual and practical guidance for entering into and remaining in the immediate presence of our loving heavenly Father. As you read excerpts from his classic Practice of the Presence of God, with related Scripture verses and inspiring illustrations, you will receive spiritual strength and nourishment to meet all your daily needs, experiencing unbroken communion with your heavenly Father. In the monastery kitchen and shoe-repair shop, Brother Lawrence learned to complete every act out of love for God as he discovered the joys of oneness with the Father and His purposes. He wrote, "By practicing God's presence and continuously looking at Him, the soul familiarizes itself with Him to the extent that it passes almost its whole life in continual acts of love, praise, confidence, thanksgiving, offering, and petition. Sometimes all this may merge into one single act that does not end, because the soul is always in the ceaseless exercise of God's divine presence." Discover Brother Lawrence's secrets to continuous love, joy, and rest in God, no matter where you are or what your task, and amid all the everyday demands and challenges of life.Author Biography
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (c. 1611-1691) was a lay brother in the Parisian Carmelite Order. He taught that "our whole purpose...[is] to adore God and to love Him, without worrying about the rest." While looking at a barren tree one wintry day, the eighteen-year-old Lawrence realized that this tree would blossom once again. He was profoundly moved by God's providence and overcome with love for God. He was not only converted that day but also forever committed to serving God wholeheartedly. He believed that by accepting God's help and guarding our souls, keeping them in tune with God's will, we can have constant fellowship with the Lord. For decades, he practiced and taught this life-transforming path to God. Brother Lawrence died peacefully at about the age of eighty. His writings and spiritual advice, as well as a short account of his life, were compiled and published in 1692 as The Practice of the Presence of God, of which millions of copies have been sold.
