The Practice of the Presence of God

This marks another book that I have always wanted to read, but never did, until now.  And I should have read it sooner.  For one thing, it's really short!  It took just a few sittings to get through it.
Here are some of my faves from The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
(free on the public domain at ccel.org, and free audio at Librivox. ):

That, when he began his business, he said to GOD, with a filial trust in Him, “O my GOD, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections.”

As he proceeded in his work, he continued his familiar conversation with his Maker, imploring His grace, and offering to Him all his actions.

When he had finished, he examined himself how he had discharged his duty; if he found well, he returned thanks to GOD; if otherwise, he asked pardon; and without being discouraged, he set his mind right again, and continued his exercise of the presence of GOD, as if he had never deviated from it. “Thus,” said he, “by rising after my falls, and by frequently renewed acts of faith and love, I am come to a state, wherein it would be as difficult for me not to think of GOD, as it was at first to accustom myself to it.” (Fourth Conversation)

As a mom of four little ones, it is hard to find those times of prayer - and they are wonderful and good - but how much better to also carry around in my mind the conscience sense of God's presence with me in all of the home-duties I must do.

 There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with GOD (Fifth Letter)
 

We have but little time to live; you are near sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with GOD: sufferings will be sweet and pleasant to us, while we are with Him: and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him, a cruel punishment to us. May He be blessed for all. Amen. (Seventh Letter)

One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of GOD; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.(Eighth Letter)

Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to 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. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it. I will endeavor to help you with my prayers, and am yours in our LORD.(Tenth Letter)

Let us fear to leave Him. Let us be always with Him. Let us live and die in His presence. (Twelfth Letter)



GOD knoweth best what is needful for us, and all that He does is for our good......Let all our employment be to know GOD: the more one knows Him, the more one desires to know Him. (Fifteenth Letter - about a week before his death)