The Practice of the Presence of God (Paraclete Essentials)

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is a timeless spiritual classic that has inspired millions for centuries. First published after the author's death in 1691, this beloved book of practical guidance reveals the simple yet profound secret to experiencing God in everyday life―not just in prayer or worship, but in the ordinary moments of daily work and routine.

Brother Lawrence, a humble 17th-century monk, discovered that true peace and joy come from cultivating a constant awareness of God’s presence. Whether washing dishes in the monastery kitchen or performing small daily tasks, he found deep fulfillment in offering every action as an act of love. His wisdom, captured in this beautifully rendered edition, reminds us that spiritual growth is not about grand gestures but about finding God in the smallest moments of life.

Perfect for readers of: Christian devotionals, spiritual classics, contemplative prayer, and those seeking a deeper, more intimate connection with God. Whether you're new to Brother Lawrence’s teachings or returning to them, this edition offers inspiration and encouragement for a life filled with faith, peace, and divine presence.

Brother Lawrence (c. 1611 – 1691) was born Nicholas Herman in the Lorraine region of France. As a young man, he fought in the Thirty Years’ War before joining the Carmelite order in Paris as a monk at the age of 24. The Practice of the Presence of God was originally compiled from his letters and conversations, immediately after his death.

Robert J. Edmonson, CJ, holds a certificate in French from the University of Montpellier (France) and degrees in French from the University of Miami and Middlebury College. His translations—including one of the world's best-selling English-language editions of The Story of a Soul—have sold 100,000 copies.

Born in North Carolina in 1923, Hal M. Helms graduated from Furman University and earned an M. Div. from Hartford Seminary. He served five congregations and then in 1974 became Chaplain at the Community of Jesus, an ecumenical Christian Community on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Rev. Helms “mildly modernized”  a number of classics, including The Pilgrim's Progress, The Imitation of Christ, and The Confessions of St. Augustine, and wrote several devotional books. He died in 1997.

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is a leader of the new monastic movement and co-founded the Rutba House community in Durham, North Carolina. An associate minister at St. John’s Baptist Church in Durham, he also directs the School for Conversion, a partnership among new monastic communities for alternative theological education. His other books include Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, New Monasticism, and God’s Economy. www.jonathanwilsonhartgrove.com