Book Review: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Trace Pirtle
Jul 14
6 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Scripture Foundation

"Pray without ceasing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Blooming cherry blossom tree with pink flowers against a cloudy sky and distant hills, creating a serene and peaceful scene. — The Practice of the Presence of God

Introduction

"The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence is one of Christianity's most enduring spiritual formation classics, compiled from the intimate conversations and personal letters of a humble 17th-century French monk. This book review explores what makes Brother Lawrence's approach to contemplative Christianity so remarkable - not grand theological treatises, but the simple, practical wisdom of Nicholas Herman who discovered how to maintain constant communion with God while working as a monastery cook and later in charge of sandal repair for over 100 members.

This Practice of the Presence of God book review examines the four recorded conversations with Abbé Joseph de Beaufort and fifteen personal letters, offering readers a comprehensive analysis of Brother Lawrence's approach to spiritual formation and contemplative Christianity. For those seeking practical Christian mysticism, this book provides a direct window into how a simple monastery cook found God as present in the kitchen as in the chapel.

Part 1: The Four Conversations with Abbé Joseph de Beaufort

Conversation 1: The Foundation

Brother Lawrence recounts his spiritual awakening at age eighteen, sparked by seeing a bare winter tree and recognizing God's power to bring life from apparent death. He describes how his love for God was so kindled in that moment that "he could not tell whether it had increased in the forty years that he had lived since."

This single encounter with God's grace through nature became the foundation for a lifetime of spiritual intimacy. This conversation reveals his entry into monastic life and early struggles with formal prayer, which he found "dead" and unsatisfying. Key insight: He abandoned prescribed prayers not from rebellion, but from a hunger for authentic connection with God. Readers learn that spiritual formation often requires releasing what doesn't work, even if it's traditionally sanctioned.

Conversation 2: The Practice Develops

Here Lawrence explains his revolutionary discovery: maintaining awareness of God's presence during ordinary work. He describes finding no difference between kitchen duties and formal prayer time, introducing readers to the radical idea that washing dishes can be as sacred as kneeling before the altar. Lawrence reveals his profound humility, saying "he was pleased when he could take up a straw from the ground for the love of God, seeking Him only, and nothing else, not even His gifts."

This conversation also unveils his spiritual crisis—a troubled mind regarding his certain belief that he should be damned. His breakthrough came when he reasoned that whatever became of him, lost or saved, he would act purely for the love of God. This powerful realization freed him from spiritual anxiety and established his foundation of pure devotion. He discovered that while we must apply ourselves to God with diligence, through practice His love "excites us without difficulty." This conversation demolishes the sacred/secular divide that plagues many believers while showing how spiritual maturity moves from anxious striving to joyful surrender.

Conversation 3: The Mature Mystic

Brother Lawrence discusses his settled spiritual state after years of practice. He describes experiencing profound peace, his simple approach to handling sin (immediate confession and trust in God's mercy), and why he gave up spiritual books and exercises that others found helpful. This conversation reveals his remarkable spiritual confidence—he feared nothing because "the worst thing that could happen to him was to lose that sense of God which he had enjoyed so long."

Yet even this fear was calmed when God reassured him that he would receive strength to bear any evil that God allowed to happen to him. This conversation challenges readers who feel guilty about not fitting traditional spiritual molds. Lawrence demonstrates that authentic spirituality is deeply personal and may look different for each believer, while showing how mature faith rests in God's faithfulness rather than our own spiritual performance.

Conversation 4: Final Wisdom

In his final recorded conversation, Lawrence offers advice on spiritual direction, shares his thoughts on suffering as purification, and reveals his peaceful anticipation of death. Here he shares one of his most profound insights about motivation: "We ought not 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."

This conversation provides readers with mature spiritual perspective on life's difficulties and the ultimate goal of spiritual formation—union with God that transcends circumstances. His final wisdom emphasizes that God values the heart behind our actions more than the magnitude of our achievements.

Part 2: The Fifteen Letters

Letters 1-3: Establishing the Practice

These early letters introduce correspondents to Brother Lawrence's central concept: practicing God's presence through conscious awareness during daily activities. He emphasizes starting small—brief, frequent "turnings" to God throughout the day. Readers will find specific, actionable guidance for beginning their own practice without overwhelming spiritual ambitions.

Letters 4-6: Dealing with Distractions

Lawrence addresses the common struggle of wandering thoughts during prayer and work. His advice is remarkably gentle: simply return attention to God without self-condemnation. These letters offer tremendous relief to readers who struggle with perfectionism in their spiritual lives, showing that even saints dealt with distraction and found grace in imperfection.

Letters 7-9: The Heart of Devotion

These middle letters reveal Lawrence's understanding of pure love for God—seeking Him for Himself, not for spiritual consolations or benefits. He discusses moving beyond emotional spiritual experiences to steady devotion regardless of feelings. Readers will find mature guidance for navigating spiritual dryness and maintaining faith when God feels absent.

Letters 10-12: Practical Mysticism

Lawrence provides specific counsel for maintaining his practice during illness, difficulty, and routine. He demonstrates how contemplative spirituality works in real-world conditions, not just ideal circumstances. These letters are particularly valuable for readers balancing spiritual aspirations with demanding daily responsibilities.

Letters 13-15: Legacy and Love

The final letters, written near the end of his life, show Brother Lawrence's spiritual legacy. He expresses deep love for his correspondents and confidence in God's faithfulness. Readers will find in these letters a model of how spiritual maturity expresses itself in genuine love and pastoral concern for others.

Part 3: Bridge Framework Integration & Practical Application

Brother Lawrence represents the pure contemplative mystic temperament on our Bridge.

His approach appeals to believers who:

Crave intimate, personal relationship with God
Feel frustrated by formal religious structures
Seek simple, practical spirituality
Want to integrate faith with daily life
Are drawn to mystical union over theological study

Modern Applications:

Transform routine activities (commuting, household chores, work tasks) into prayer
Practice "conversational prayer" throughout the day
Release guilt about unconventional spiritual practices
Find God in ordinary moments rather than only "sacred" times
Develop patience with gradual spiritual formation

Part 4: Biblical Foundation & Modern Credibility

Scripture Essence

Brother Lawrence's entire approach is captured in Paul's command to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). His practice embodies Colossians 3:17: "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus." This isn't innovative spirituality—it's biblical Christianity lived out practically.

Mainstream Recognition

Far from being a fringe mystic, Brother Lawrence enjoys widespread recognition across the Christian spectrum. A.W. Tozer frequently referenced his teachings, Richard Foster features him prominently in "Celebration of Discipline," and Dallas Willard drew heavily on his approach to spiritual formation. Henri Nouwen considered him foundational to contemplative Christianity. With over 22 million copies in print and inclusion in seminary curricula across denominational lines, Brother Lawrence represents mainstream Christian spirituality at its most practical and accessible.

Part 5: Who Should Read This Book

This book serves multiple audiences:

Contemplative Seekers will find a master teacher who makes mystical spirituality accessible and practical. Lawrence proves that profound spiritual experiences don't require monastery walls or extensive theological education.

Busy Believers struggling to maintain spiritual life amid demanding schedules will discover how to transform their entire day into prayer without adding another obligation to their calendar.

Church Outsiders feeling alienated by formal religion will find Lawrence's gentle, non-institutional approach refreshing. His spirituality transcends denominational boundaries while remaining thoroughly Christ-centered.

Spiritual Directors will gain invaluable insights into guiding others toward authentic spiritual formation, learning when to encourage traditional practices and when to suggest alternative approaches.

Conclusion: Book Review: The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

"The Practice of the Presence of God" remains compelling after three centuries because Brother Lawrence discovered something every believer craves: how to live in continuous communion with God without abandoning ordinary life. His wisdom isn't theoretical but tested through decades of kitchen work, monastery routine, and personal struggle. Readers will finish this book not with more spiritual techniques to master, but with a simple, sustainable way to transform their existing life into continuous prayer.

The book's greatest gift is showing that holiness is accessible to everyone, regardless of education, position, or natural spiritual giftedness. In Brother Lawrence's kitchen, ordinary moments become encounters with the Divine, and every reader can find their own path to practicing God's presence.

For contemplative mystics on the Bridge, this book serves as both introduction and advanced course in the art of finding God in everything. Brother Lawrence doesn't just describe the contemplative life—he makes it irresistibly attractive and surprisingly achievable.

Ready to begin your own practice of God's presence? Start with this timeless classic that has guided millions of believers into deeper intimacy with Jesus through the ordinary moments of daily life.