Recommended by Claire Wolterstorff: 

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

The Practice of the Presence of God is a book which is most helpful for those who feel themselves to be (too) ignorant, (too) reticent, (too ordinary -- no spiritual giant -- to undertake a way of prayer, but who nevertheless are deeply hungry for the abiding presence of God in their lives. 

The Practice of the Presence of God describes a way of being in the world, a spirituality, a way of prayer without ceasing (1 Thes 5.17), and is begun, continued, and sustained by paying attention to what is going on, and becoming aware of the constant, abiding presence of God.  The Practice of the Presence of God was written by Brother Lawrence (born Nicholas Herman, 1611-1691), who, upon entering religious life, soon learned to traquilly live always in God's presence, and to talk constantly with God. 

This book is reassuring for those of us who are wanting to begin walking this path with God.  Begin, Brother Lawrence says, by learning to pray the Our Father, and then put it into practice.  Truly this is a book for beginning, and for sustaining oneself in the presence of God. 

 -- Claire K. Wolterstorff

     2  November 2006

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