The Practice of the Presence of God - Introduction by Hannah Whitall Smith

Sep 28, 2026

A spiritually focused work centered on the simple “practice” of consciously being present with God, as taught through conversations and letters attributed to Nicholas Herman of Lorraine, presented with an introduction by Hannah Whitall Smith. The text emphasizes unity with God without theological complexity, training, or elaborate ritual—describing a kitchen-and-altar approach where ordinary tasks become prayer. It argues that anyone, regardless of status or education, can practice this presence at any moment amid daily circumstances.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Preface

Conversations

First Conversation

Second Conversation

Third Conversation

Fourth Conversation

Letters

Fifth Letter

Sixth Letter

Seventh Letter

Eighth Letter

Ninth Letter

Tenth Letter

Eleventh Letter

Twelfth Letter

Thirteenth Letter

Fourteenth Letter

Fifteenth Letter

The Practice of thePresence of God HER Digitized by the Internet Archivein 2022 with funding fromKahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781907436208 LaConner Regional Library he Piactice o the Presence Being CONVERSATIONS and LETTERSof NICHOLAS HERMAN of LORRAINEB R O T HE R L A W R EN C E Introduction byHannah Whitall Smith Christian Books Today LtdChorley,Lancashire,UK2009 www.christianbookstoday.com DiscardLa Conner Memorial Libral Contents INTRODUCTION 7PREFACEIICoNVERSATIONSFIRST CONVERSATIONI3SECOND CONVERSATION工THIRD CONVERSATION2IFOURTH CONVERSATION24FIRST LETTER3 ISECOND LETTER33THIRD LETTER39FOURTH LETTER41FIFTH LETTER44SIXTH LETTER46SEVENTH LETTER48EIGHTH LETTER50NINTH LETTERSITENTH LETTER53 LETTERS Contents ELEVENTH LETTER55TWELFTH LETTER57THIRTEENTH LETTER58FOURTEENTH LETTER60FIFTEENTH LETTER6r But I fear,lest by any means,as the serpent beguiled Evethrough his subtlety,so your minds should be corrupted fromthe simplicity that is in Christ.-II Corinthians 11:g. THE value of this little book is its extremesimplicity.The trouble with most of the re-ligion of the day is its extreme complexity."Brother Lawrence"was not troubled withany theological difficulties or doctrinal dilem-mas.For him these did not exist.His one singleaim was to bring about a conscious personalunion between himself and God,and he tookthe shortest cut he could find to accomplish it.The result can best be described in his ownwords:"If I dare use the expression,I shouldchoose to call this state the bosom of God,forthe inexpressible sweetness which I taste andexperience there.” What Brother Lawrence did all can do.Notheological training nor any especial theologi-cal views are needed for the blessed “practice” he recommended.No gorgeous churches,norstately cathedral,nor elaborate ritual,couldeither make or mar it.A kitchen and an altarwere as one to him;and to pick up a strawfrom the ground was as grand a service as topreach to multitudes.The time of business,"said he,"does not with me differ from the timeof prayer;and in the noise and clutter of mykitchen,while several persons are at the sametime calling for different things,I possess Godin as great tranquillity as if I were upon myknees at the blessed sacrament.” This little book,therefore,seems to me oneof the most helpfulI know.It fits into the livesof all human beings,let them be rich or poor,learned or unlearned,wise or simple.Thewoman at her wash-tub,or the stone-breakeron the road,can carry on the “practice”heretaught with as much ease and as much assur-ance of success as the priest at his altar or themissionary in his field of work. All must feel that anything that brings thereligion of Christ within reach of overworkedand poverty-stricken humanity,in the midstof its ignorance and its helplessness,is a price-less boon,and this is what Brother Lawrencedoes.His “practice”requires neither time,nortalents,nor training.At any moment,in the # Introduction midst of any occupation,under any circum-stances,the soul that wants to know God can"practise the presence"and can come to theknowledge.The Lord Christ of hosts is withus,the God of Jacob is our refuge,let the"seemings"be what they may;and we needbut to recognize this as a continual,ever-pres-ent fact,and the inexpressible sweetness towhich Brother Lawrence attained will becomeours. HANNAH WHITALL SMITH

FAQs

What is the core idea of the book’s “practice” of God’s presence?

The book teaches a direct, ongoing awareness of God’s presence—pursued through a simple practice rather than complex theology.

Does Brother Lawrence’s approach require religious training or elaborate rituals?

No. The text stresses that no theological training, special doctrinal views, or grand church settings are needed for the practice.

Who can use the “practice,” and when can it be done?

The book states that it fits all people, rich or poor and learned or unlearned, and can be practiced at any moment during ordinary work and daily life.

Sep 28, 2026

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