While in seminary I came across a book by Brother Lawrence entitled Practicing The Presence of God. It’s a small book, but an amazing book. Brother Lawrence was a monk who said he got to the point in his life when he found the set times of prayer in the monastery interrupted his time with God.
Wow! What an amazing thought. Think about that for a moment and let it really sink in. Is it true we can get close enough to God that set times of prayer interrupt our time with Him? I remember pondering that thought often throughout seminary and even during times of ministry. How can one arrive at the place where set times of prayer interrupt regular time with God. That means we’re truly conscious of the presence of God at all times in our lives.
Many times we find ourselves tossed to a fro by the demands of the world. It doesn’t matter if one is in ministry, or if one is working in the marketplace, the demands of the world, and those around us, can seem overwhelming at times. How are we to survive and maintain a relationship with God in the midst of all the demands on our life? I believe that’s what Brother Lawrence was getting at when he addressed the idea of practicing the presence of God, at all times.
A Fellow Sojourner,
Dr. Rus
