Practice of God's Presence: 5th letter
Fifth Letter: Today I received two books and a letter from Sister M_, who is preparing to make her profession. She desires the prayers of your holy society, and yours in particular. I think she greatly values your support. Please do not disappoint her. Pray to God that she may take her vows in view of His love alone, with a firm resolution to be wholly devoted to Him. I will send you one of those books about the presence of God; a subject which, in my opinion, contains the whole spiritual life. It seems to me that whoever duly practices it will soon become devout.
I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of all other things because God will possess the heart alone. As He cannot possess it alone without emptying it of all besides, so, neither can He act there and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Only those can comprehend it who practice and experience it. Yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise. Let us do it from a principle of love, and because it is God's will for us.
Were I a preacher, I would, above all other things, preach the practice of the presence of God. Were I a director, I would advise all the world to do it, so necessary do I think it, and so easy too. Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of God, we would never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment.
Believe me. Immediately make a holy and firm resolution never more to forget Him. Resolve to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived of all consolations for the love of Him if He thinks fit. Set heartily about this work, and if you do it sincerely, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it.
I will assist you with my prayers, poor as they are. I recommend myself earnestly to you and those of your holy society.
Questions:
I would love to know what book Br. Lawrence sent to his correspondent, wouldn't you. What books have you read which seem to you to contain the whole of the spiritual life and which duly practiced, yoiu became devout?
His second paragraph reminds me of the first commandment: you shall have no other God before me. Are there things in your life that take precedence over God in your life? What concerns keep you from church or daily devotions?
Br. Lawrence emphasizes something in the 3rd paragraph. What is it? Why is it necessary to stress this? In what ways might your own motives the wrong ones?
Has reading these conversations and letters encouraged you to give more of yourself to our Lord? How has this manifested itself in your life?
I know that for the right practice of it, the heart must be empty of all other things because God will possess the heart alone. As He cannot possess it alone without emptying it of all besides, so, neither can He act there and do in it what He pleases, unless it be left vacant to Him.
There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Only those can comprehend it who practice and experience it. Yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise. Let us do it from a principle of love, and because it is God's will for us.
Were I a preacher, I would, above all other things, preach the practice of the presence of God. Were I a director, I would advise all the world to do it, so necessary do I think it, and so easy too. Ah! knew we but the want we have of the grace and assistance of God, we would never lose sight of Him, no, not for a moment.
Believe me. Immediately make a holy and firm resolution never more to forget Him. Resolve to spend the rest of your days in His sacred presence, deprived of all consolations for the love of Him if He thinks fit. Set heartily about this work, and if you do it sincerely, be assured that you will soon find the effects of it.
I will assist you with my prayers, poor as they are. I recommend myself earnestly to you and those of your holy society.
Questions:
I would love to know what book Br. Lawrence sent to his correspondent, wouldn't you. What books have you read which seem to you to contain the whole of the spiritual life and which duly practiced, yoiu became devout?
His second paragraph reminds me of the first commandment: you shall have no other God before me. Are there things in your life that take precedence over God in your life? What concerns keep you from church or daily devotions?
Br. Lawrence emphasizes something in the 3rd paragraph. What is it? Why is it necessary to stress this? In what ways might your own motives the wrong ones?
Has reading these conversations and letters encouraged you to give more of yourself to our Lord? How has this manifested itself in your life?
posted by Gloriamarie Amalfitano @ 8:34 AM
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