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Thursday morning, after Mom’s surgery on Monday, the news of Mom’s amazing progress thrilled us. She slept through the night, awoke with sparkle, and even took a walk in the corridor! Hearing the ‘morning report’ birthed a wave of relief, thankfulness to God, and praise in all of our hearts.
As the morning progressed, I thought on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” It was easy and natural to give thanks, to rejoice, and to sense His presence.
But, it simply wasn’t so natural to feel spontaneous gratitude and praise when the news wasn’t so positive! As we discussed these verses and this issue, the question arose, “How do we really – practically – pray without ceasing?”
A seventeenth century French monk, Brother Lawrence, came to continually practice the presence of God. His experience with God was so evident that others often asked him how he came to place of continual, constant awareness of God in His life. Brother Lawrence had clear answers that challenge believers still today.
Brother Lawrence, who served in the kitchen for most of his years, engaged in
religious life only for the love of God. “I have endeavored to act only for Him. Whatever becomes of me, whether I be lost or saved, I will always continue to act purely for the love of God. I shall have this good at least that until death I shall have done all that is in me to love Him.”
He went on to say that, “To form a habit of conversing with God continually and referring all we do to Him, we must, at first, apply to Him with diligence. Then, after a little care, we would find His love inwardly draw us to Him without any difficulty.”
It was observed, that even in the busiest times in the kitchen, Brother Lawrence still preserved his recollection and heavenly-mindedness. He was never hasty nor loitering, but did each thing in its turn with an even, uninterrupted composure and tranquility of spirit. "The time of work does not with me differ from the time of prayer. In the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great a tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Supper."
Brother Lawrence was absolutely single-minded about his devotion to God. When the Counsel to the Paris archbishop desired to interview him on
his practice of the presence of God, Brother Lawrence agreed. However, at the end of the first conversation, he said to the Counsel, “If your purpose for the visit is to sincerely discuss how to serve God, you might come to me as often as you please; and without any fear of being troublesome. If this is not the case, then you ought to visit me no more.”
I want Brother Lawrence himself to finish this devotional: “Yet, I think it is appropriate to tell you how I perceive myself before God, whom I behold as my King. I consider myself as the most wretched of men. I am full of faults, flaws, and weaknesses, and have committed all sorts of crimes against his King. In deep regret I confess all my wickedness to Him. I ask His forgiveness. I abandon myself in His hands that He may do what He pleases with me.
“The time presses. There is no room for delay. Our souls are at stake . . . I commend you for it. It is the one thing necessary. We must always work at it, because not to persevere in the spiritual life is to go back. But those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the Lord who reposes within. He will quickly calm the sea.”
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Only those can comprehend it who practice and experience it. Yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise. Let us do it from a principle of love, and because it is God's will for us.”
“Believe me. Immediately make a holy and firm resolution never more to forget Him. Resolve to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived of all consolations for the love of Him if He thinks fit. Set heartily about this work, and if you do it sincerely, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it.” |
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Practicing His Presence |
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Our prayers are with you that God will shower you with His love and mercy, and bring you into all that He has for your life. Please remember us in your prayers as we reach out to orphans and other children who so desperately need natural help and to know the love of our Heavenly Father.
Tom and Larissa Benz |