The Practice of the Presence of God

“The Practice of the Presence of God was a pivotal book in my spiritual growth. It showed me there was no division between work that is secular and work that is sacred. When done ‘unto God rather than men, ’ all work is sacred. And Brother Lawrence, with his sleeves rolled up and his hands elbow deep in the sink, shows us in everyday ways how to turn the kitchens in our lives into cathedrals.”–Ken Gire, author of Moments with the Savior, Windows of the Soul, and The Divine EmbraceThe Practice of the Presence of God was a pivotal book in my spiritual growth. It showed me there was no division between work that is secular and work that is sacred. When done unto God rather than men, all work is sacred. And Brother Lawrence, with his sleeves rolled up and his hands elbow deep in the sink, shows us in everyday ways how to turn the kitchens in our lives into cathedrals. Ken Gire, author of Moments with the Savior, Windows of the Soul, and The Divine Embrace”

Nicholas Herman was born in Lorraine province, France in about 1605; he came from a humble background and was an unlearned man. He was converted in 1629, and after being a soldier and a footman for some time, he entered the religious community of the Carmelites in Paris in about 1649. It was there, as a lay brother, that he took the name of Brother Lawrence. He remained in the community until his death in 1691. While in the community he worked most of the time as a helper in the kitchen; it is in this specific surrounding that he became known for his simple, practical faith.