I love the simplicity and directness and the truth of Brother Lawrence in his book, The Practice of the Presence of God. He says in the sixth Letter, for example (my paraphrase), that we must serve God each day with holy freedom, and serve Him by doing our daily responsibilities faithfully, always remembering that God is present in everything we think and do, with every challenge we face, and we must do all of this quietly, without show, because we know and feel His Divine presence. And whenever we find ourselves wandering, which we all do, of course, we must trust God completely in what we are facing, lay aside all other thoughts of caving in to our wanderings, and come into His presence deliberately remembering that we are with Him and that He is with us. Love Him and persevere with Him because He is present in us. Praise Him, adore Him, desire Him and Him only, resigning ourselves in thanksgiving to follow Him all the days of our life.
And when we fall, do not get discouraged by the unholy nature that is ours, but lose no time in running back to Him, resolved to persevere to our death.
So let this be our prayer today, then.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“Blessed is the person who remains steadfast under trial, for when you have stood the test you will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him”
James 1:12.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9.
“Rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” Romans 5:3-5.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually” 1 Chronicles 16:11!
“You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” Hebrews 10:36.
“Do not grow weary in doing good” 2 Thessalonians 3:13.
“Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance” Ephesians 6:18.
“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” Revelation 3:11.
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