Knowing His Presence

 Have you longed to know the presence of God continually? Many of us do. A monk discovered the secret while serving as a poor kitchen worker in a French monastery in the seventeenth century. Known as Brother Lawrence, his given name was Nicholas Herman.

His book, written after his death by a friend more than 300 years ago, is still a classic, “The Practice of the Presence of God.”  (Now released as “Practicing His Presence.”)

 He said you can know God’s presence wherever you are, whatever you do. Just practice until you achieve it. He wrote, “Think often on God, by day, by night, in your business and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave him not alone.”

Born in France in 1614, this lowly peasant was wounded serving in the military, leaving him somewhat lame. When he was 24, he joined a Carmelite Priory in Paris, taking the religious name “Lawrence of the Resurrection.”  He lacked the necessary education to become a cleric, so he spent the rest of his life at the monastery working in the kitchen or repairing sandals. At first, he struggled to experience God presence in a deep way especially when facing confusion, noise and opposition.

 Finally, this humble man came to a point he felt the very presence of the Lord when working in a busy kitchen as much as in a church worship service. His deep peace and joy drew people from all walks of life who came to seek his spiritual advice and guidance. How did he do it? they asked.

The wisdom he gave them and that which he wrote in his private letters became the basis for the book, “The Practice of the Presence of God” which Father Joseph de Beaufort compiled after Brother Lawrence died in 1691. It was popular among both Catholics and Protestants, impacting such great men as John Wesley and A.W. Tozer. ¹

He wrote: “The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer; and 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 tranquility as if I were upon my knees before the Blessed Sacrament.”  

He cautioned against giving up: “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”  ²

In one of David’s psalms, we read how he desired to dwell in the Lord’s presence all of his days.  He wrote: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4 AMPC)

One Bible scholar points out that when David wrote this he was speaking of being surrounded with God’s presence and holiness.³

These two people– a simple kitchen helper and a man not yet a king—both sought the Lord’s presence continually.

 Challenging to us, isn’t it? We can also ask God to help us know the joy of His presence in the midst of our every moment and circumstance. It’s a great goal to set. Something to practice achieving, until like Brother Lawrence, we can experience God’s presence no matter where we are.

Prayer: Lord, help me know Your peace and presence even when it seems a storm is blowing around me. Your word says You never leave me or forsake me, but I need that keen sensitivity to Your presence like Brother Lawrence came to know even in the busyness of his kitchen labor. I invite the Holy Spirit to help me achieve that. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture: Where could I go from your Spirit? It is impossible to disappear from you…for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night. (Psalm 139: 7a, 11 TPT)

Excerpts from my book Cast Your Shadow: Influence On Purpose. Available Amazon.

1.https:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother Lawrence

2.www:azquotes,com Brother Lawrence

3.Brian Simmons, The Passion Translation notes, Psalm 27:4, (Passion and Fire Ministries, Inc., 2020, Broad Street Publishers), 799.