{"id":5981,"date":"2018-09-21T21:00:35","date_gmt":"2018-09-21T19:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=5981"},"modified":"2020-02-10T10:30:18","modified_gmt":"2020-02-10T09:30:18","slug":"in-the-school-of-prayer-with-brother-lawrence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/09\/21\/in-the-school-of-prayer-with-brother-lawrence\/","title":{"rendered":"In the school of prayer with Brother Lawrence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nRoof garden in inner city Rotterdam  (Photo: Irene Bom)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While reflecting on the theme of work, I was reminded of Brother Lawrence<\/strong> – a role model for us (as for previous generations) of what it means to “make your life a prayer” (1 Thessalonians 5:17<\/a>, The Passion Translation)<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk working in a monastery kitchen in Paris in the seventeenth century. He wrote no book but his papers, together with accounts of conversations with him, were collected after his death and published. The English translation was given the title, The Practice of the Presence of God<\/em>. <\/p>\n

Here are two excerpts:<\/p>\n

“The time of business does not differ with me from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were on my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.”
\n       from the Fourth Conversation<\/em><\/p>\n

“But when we are faithful to keep ourselves in his holy presence, and set him always before us, this not only hinders our offending him, and doing anything that may displease him, at least willfully, but it also begets in us a holy freedom, and if I may so speak, a familiarity with God, wherewith we ask, and that successfully, the graces we stand in need of. In time, by often repeating these acts, they become habitual, and the presence of God is rendered as it were natural to us. Give him thanks, if you please, with me, for his great goodness towards me, which I can never sufficiently admire, for the many favours he has done to so miserable a sinner as I am. May all things praise him. Amen.”
\n       from the First Letter<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Two simple prayers<\/h3>\n

Drawing inspiration from Brother Lawrence, Ann Lewin<\/strong> writes:<\/p>\n

Brother Lawrence believed that it was important to relate all his life to God, work and prayer alike. … <\/p>\n

We have to establish the habit of remembering that there is a connection between God and ourselves wherever we are …
\nnow<\/u> is the time we meet with God. <\/p>\n

Two simple prayers are enough to carry around with us: ‘Thank God’, and ‘Lord have mercy’. These are the responses we can make to all the circumstances of our lives, for God is concerned with the painful experiences and the hard questions just as much as with the joys and delights.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

from Seasons of Grace<\/a><\/em> by Ann Lewin, p. 28-29<\/p>\n\n

Digging deeper<\/h3>\n

The Practice of the Presence of God<\/i>  (Audio version<\/a> | PDF<\/a>)
\nby Brother Lawrence<\/p>\n

The devotional life of Brother Lawrence<\/a>
\narticle by Robert M. Johnston<\/p>\n

Four Lessons about Faith & Work from Brother Lawrence<\/a>
\narticle by Dr. Andrew Spencer<\/p>\n

A ministry of dirty dishes<\/a>
\narticle by Perry Engle<\/p>\n\n

Benediction<\/h3>\n

(inspired by Exodus 3)<\/em><\/p>\n

Go out into the world to join God
\n      in the work of love, of peace, of justice.
\nTake in the breath of life.
\nTake off your shoes.
\nKnow that you are ever in the presence
\nof the Holy and Living God.
\nGo in peace. Amen.<\/p>\n

\u2014 written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith<\/a> blog.<\/p>\n\n

Other blog posts in the “In the school of prayer” series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the school of prayer with Angela Ashwin<\/a>
\nIn the school of prayer with Anselm<\/a>
\nIn the school of prayer with Ann Lewin<\/a>
\nIn the school of prayer with Eddie Askew<\/a>
\nIn the school of prayer with the Celtic Saints<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Roof garden in inner city Rotterdam  (Photo: Irene Bom)   While reflecting on the theme of work, I was reminded of Brother Lawrence – a role model for us (as for previous generations) of what it means to “make your life a prayer” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, The Passion Translation). Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk … Continue reading “In the school of prayer with Brother Lawrence”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[84,3],"tags":[62,116,142],"class_list":["post-5981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-benediction","category-prayer","tag-school-of-prayer","tag-work","tag-work2018"],"yoast_head":"\nIn the school of prayer 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Personally, I'm not surprised that Circle\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "review"","block_context":{"text":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/review\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/rome_at_twilight.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16108,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/02\/17\/tree-of-beauty\/","url_meta":{"origin":5981,"position":2},"title":"Tree of beauty","author":"Irene Bom","date":"February 17, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Hymn 87 87 87 Faithful cross, O tree of beauty, tree of Eden, tree divine! Not a grove on earth can show us leaf and flow'r and fruit so fine. Bearer of our Savior's body, tree of life, salvation's sign! Cross of pain transformed to gladness ever green and sheltering\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "song"","block_context":{"text":"song","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/song\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tree_city.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tree_city.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tree_city.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/tree_city.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17005,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2026\/03\/02\/daily-practice\/","url_meta":{"origin":5981,"position":3},"title":"Daily practice","author":"Irene Bom","date":"March 2, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 In the book, Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott, Anglican cleric John Stott shared this prayer. It was his practice to pray it every morning. \u00a0 Good morning heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the creator and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotterdam_sunset.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotterdam_sunset.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotterdam_sunset.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/rotterdam_sunset.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15690,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2024\/10\/22\/blessed-be-god-who-makes-us-fruitful\/","url_meta":{"origin":5981,"position":4},"title":"Bless\u00e8d be God who makes us fruitful","author":"Irene Bom","date":"October 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u201cI am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.\" John 15:5 \u00a0 Litany of Adoration Bless\u00e8d be God, the only God, three Persons in one eternity of love: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bless\u00e8d\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/autumn_table.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/autumn_table.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/autumn_table.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/autumn_table.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14341,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2023\/08\/02\/i-call-on-you-my-god\/","url_meta":{"origin":5981,"position":5},"title":"I call on you, my God","author":"Irene Bom","date":"August 2, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"PDF version \u00a0 Psalm for Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, RCL Year A Psalm 17:1-7, 15 A litany with a sung response alternating with spoken word (preferably with feeling). \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me Turn your ear to me and hear my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "psalms"","block_context":{"text":"psalms","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/psalms\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/i_call_on_you_my_god_psalm17v6.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/i_call_on_you_my_god_psalm17v6.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/i_call_on_you_my_god_psalm17v6.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/i_call_on_you_my_god_psalm17v6.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":1,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/benediction\/\" rel=\"category tag\">benediction<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Roof garden in inner city Rotterdam  (Photo: Irene Bom)   While reflecting on the theme of work, I was reminded of Brother Lawrence – a role model for us (as for previous generations) of what it means to “make your life a prayer” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, The Passion Translation). Brother Lawrence was a Carmelite monk…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5981\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}