That there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only. Brother Lawrence More Quotes by Brother Lawrence More Quotes From Brother Lawrence I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is insupportable. Brother Lawrence soul religious practice Good when He gives, supremely good; Nor less when He denies: Afflictions, from His sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise. Brother Lawrence blessing giving hands I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to GOD, which I may call an actual presence of GOD, or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with GOD, which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others. Brother Lawrence simple prayer mean I did not pray for any relief, but I prayed for strength to suffer with courage, humility and love. Brother Lawrence and-love humility suffering In the way of God, thoughts count very little. Love does it all. Brother Lawrence doe littles way The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy. Brother Lawrence increase desire joy Let us fear to leave Him. Let us be always with Him. Let us live and die in His presence. Brother Lawrence dies Love sweetens pain; and when one loves God, one suffers for His sake with joy and courage. Brother Lawrence sweet-love pain joy Lift up your hearts to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware. Brother Lawrence remembrance prayer heart Having found in many books different methods of going to GOD, and divers practices of the spiritual life, I thought this would serve rather to puzzle me than facilitate what I sought after, which was nothing but how to become wholly GOD'S. This made me resolve to give the all for the all; so after having given myself wholly to GOD, that He might take away my sin, I renounced, for the love of Him, everything that was not He; and I began to live as if there was none but He and I in the world. Brother Lawrence practice spiritual book A little lifting up of the heart suffices; a little remembrance of God, an interior act of adoration, even though made on the march and with sword in hand, are prayers which, short though they may be, are nevertheless very pleasing to God, and far from making a soldier lose his courage on the most dangerous occasions, bolster it. Let him then think of God as much as possible so that he will gradually become accustomed to this little but holy exercise; no one will notice it and nothing is easier than to repeat often during the day these little acts of interior adoration. Brother Lawrence prayer exercise heart GOD will not permit that a soul which desires to be devoted entirely to Him should take other pleasures than with Him: that is more than reasonable. Brother Lawrence soul worship desire To worship God in truth is further to admit that we are entirely contrary to Him, and that He is willing to make us like Himself if we desire it. Who will be so imprudent as to turn himself away, even for a moment, from the reverence, love, service and continual adoration which we most justly owe Him? Brother Lawrence moments worship desire If we are truly devoted to doing God's will, pain and pleasure won't make any difference to us. Brother Lawrence pleasure differences pain A little lifting of the heart suffices; a little remembrance of God, one act of inward worship are prayers which, however short, are nevertheless acceptable to God. Brother Lawrence remembrance prayer heart It matters not to me what I do, or what I suffer, so long as I abide loveingly united to God's will - that is my whole business. Brother Lawrence suffering matter long That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of GOD, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with GOD, praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy; yet hoped that GOD would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger. Brother Lawrence prayer blessing past We must do our business faithfully, without trouble or disquiet, recalling our mind to God mildly, and with tranquility, as often as we find it wandering from him. Brother Lawrence tranquility trouble mind 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. Brother Lawrence diversion night thinking If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to receive equally and with indifference from His hand the sweet and the bitter; all would please that came from Him. Brother Lawrence bitter sweet hands
