Quotes from Brother Lawrence

It is not necessary for being with GOD to be always at church; we may make an oratory of our heart, wherein to retire from time to time, to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with GOD, some more, some less: He knows what we can do.

Imagine a world with just you and God. In this world, you have a present, personal, and indisputable sense that He is all yours and you are all His.

Gradually train yourself to show your love for Him by asking for His grace. Offer your heart to Him at every moment

Before he had experienced God's swift help in his affairs, he had attempted to plan every detail, doing the job in his own strength. Now, though, acting with childlike simplicity in God's sight, he did everything for the love of God, thanking Him for His guidance.

Many people do not advance in the Christian life, because they get stuck in penances and particular spiritual exercises. They neglect the love of God, which is the goal. This could be seen plainly by their works, and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue. The spiritual life is neither an art nor a science. To arrive at union with God all one needs is a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, do nothing but for His sake, and to love Him only.

Yet, strain does not seem to do good. At the moment I feel something "let go" inside, lo, God is here! It is a heart-melting "here-ness," a lovely whispering of father to child; and the reason I did not have it before was that I had failed to let go.

He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must GOD be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it.

When an occasion arose to exercise some virtue, he committed himself to God, saying, "Lord, I cannot do this unless You enable me." Then he received more than sufficient strength.

Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. Still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues.

Make it your study, before taking up any task to look to GOD, be it only for a moment, as also when you are engaged thereon, and lastly when you have performed the same.

We should seek our satisfaction only in fulfilling His will, whether that leads to suffering or comfort.

It is only faith that makes me know Him as He is. By means of it I learn more about Him in a short time than I would learn in many years in the schools.