Tag: Practice of the Presence of God

Wise Words on Wednesday: Feelings, nothing more than feelings

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Lawrence

“Those who take no other guidance in the spiritual life but their particular dispositions and feelings, who fancy that they have nothing more important to do than to examine themselves as to whether they feel devout or not, such can have no stability nor any certain rule; because our dispositions change continually, sometimes owing to our own sloth, sometimes by the ordinance of God, Who varies His gifts towards us according to our needs”

– Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God

Prayer before starting work

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One of the books I read during my sabbatical was Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, a lay Carmelite who inspired so many people by his simple, practical approach to spirituality, which focuses on always being mindful of God, even throughout everyday tasks, such as doing the washing up.

brother-lawrence

Yesterday my sabbatical ended and I start back at work. Inspired by this Carmelite’s book, I’ve decided that I’m going to begin each workday with the prayer which Brother Lawrence mentions in the book:

Before beginning any task I would say to God, with childlike trust:

“O God, since You are with me, and it is Your will that I must now apply myself to these outward duties, I beg You, assist me with Your grace that I may continue in Your Presence; and to this end, O Lord, be with me in this my work, accept the labour of my hands, and dwell within my heart with all Your Fullness”

– Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God