[Propertalk] Brother Lawrence, on kitchen prayer

[Joe Parrish]

"I appreciate what someone has called Brother Lawrence's methodless method. It's refreshing to hear him say, writing to a nun, 'Do not burden yourself with rules of private devotions (but) get used to gradually offering God your heart whenever you can.'
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"Brother Lawrence writes that, finally, 'I gave up all devotions and prayers that were not required and I devoted myself exclusively to remaining always in his holy presence.'

"Let me quote him further:

"'The holiest, most ordinary and most necessary practice of the spiritual life is that of the presence of God. It is to take delight in and become accustomed to his divine company, speaking humbly and conversing lovingly with him at all times, in every moment, without rule or measure, especially in times of temptation, suffering, aridity, weariness, even infidelity and sin.'

"This is the man who spoke of doing everything as an act of worship--even picking up a straw off the floor--as something done for God. 'I possess God as peacefully,' he said, 'in the commotion of my kitchen, where, often enough, several people are asking me for different things at the same time, as I do when kneeling before the sacrament.' He said if we can learn to do everything we do as a conscious act for God, in the presence of God and for God's sake, perhaps it will become easier for us to cultivate an ongoing conversation, 'speaking humbly and conversing lovingly with him at all times.' I think this is precisely what Paul meant when he said, "Pray without ceasing.'"


By the late Rev. Dr. Robert M. Holmes, a United Methodist minister in Montana, July 29, 2001

http://day1.org/612-the_ongoing_conversation
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