Brother Lawrence

Biography Compiled by ChatGP | June 1, 2025

Brother Lawrence: A Life of Simplicity and the Practice of the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614–1691) was a humble Carmelite monk whose profound spiritual insights on living continually in the presence of God have inspired Christians across centuries. Though he wrote little himself, his teachings—compiled posthumously in the classic spiritual work The Practice of the Presence of God—have become a timeless guide for cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God through everyday life.

Early Life and Background

Little is known about Brother Lawrence’s early life, including his birth name; “Brother Lawrence” is how history remembers him, honoring his monastic identity. He was born around 1614 in a small village in Lorraine, France, to a poor farming family.

As a young man, Lawrence served as a soldier during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), an experience that profoundly affected him. After leaving military life, he worked as a cook and kitchen helper in various households. Despite the simplicity of his roles, Lawrence’s heart longed for a deeper spiritual life.

Entrance into Monastic Life

In his late twenties or early thirties, Lawrence entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Paris. He took the religious name Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. Unlike many who sought academic or theological distinction, Lawrence’s path was marked by simplicity and devotion.

Assigned mostly to humble tasks in the monastery kitchen and refectory, he embraced these chores as opportunities to commune with God. Rather than seeking extraordinary experiences or theological debate, he focused on an intimate, continuous awareness of God’s presence in every moment.

The Practice of the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence’s spiritual legacy comes primarily from the book The Practice of the Presence of God, a compilation of letters and conversations collected by a disciple named Father Joseph de Beaufort after Lawrence’s death.

This work reveals a spirituality rooted in:

• Constant awareness of God’s presence: Lawrence believed that God was always near, and that one could maintain a continual inner conversation with Him, no matter what task was at hand.
• Simplicity and humility: For Lawrence, even the most mundane duties—washing dishes, chopping wood, or cooking—became sacred when done with love and attention to God.
• Peace amid difficulties: His faith led him to a remarkable peace, grounded not in external circumstances but in an internal communion with God.

Lawrence wrote:

“The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter 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 upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”

Spiritual Themes and Influence

The central message of Brother Lawrence’s writings is that spiritual life is not confined to prayer meetings or church services but is a continual, simple practice accessible to all believers. This was revolutionary at a time when much spirituality emphasized formal devotions or mystical experiences.

Some key spiritual themes include:

• Union with God through love: Lawrence taught that God desires a loving relationship with His children, one that flows naturally throughout daily life.
• Surrender and trust: He encouraged believers to surrender their will to God and trust Him in all things, cultivating patience and humility.
• Joy in the present moment: Practicing the presence of God allows one to find joy and peace in ordinary life, rather than seeking it from external achievements or possessions.

Impact and Legacy

Though Brother Lawrence himself never wrote a formal theological treatise, his simple wisdom has had an outsized impact on Christian spirituality. His book remains popular across many Christian traditions—Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox alike—and has been translated into numerous languages.

His teachings have inspired countless believers to seek a more intimate, practical spirituality—not one defined by extraordinary gifts or knowledge, but by ordinary love and attention to God throughout the day.

Notable figures who have echoed or been influenced by his spirituality include:

• Thomas Merton, the 20th-century Trappist monk, who praised Lawrence’s simple approach to God’s presence.
• Brother Lawrence’s influence extends to modern spiritual writers and laypeople seeking to integrate faith into daily routines.

Later Life and Death

Brother Lawrence remained a humble monk until his death around 1691 in the Carmelite monastery in Paris. Throughout his life, he maintained a quiet and consistent witness to the power of God’s presence in the most ordinary aspects of life.

Though he did not seek recognition or status, his legacy endures as a powerful reminder that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary but is accessible to all who simply live in love and awareness of God.

Conclusion

Brother Lawrence’s life is a testament to the power of simple faith and constant communion with God. His writings challenge Christians to move beyond compartmentalized spirituality and to discover that the presence of God can be experienced in every moment and every task.

In a world often distracted by busyness and achievement, Brother Lawrence offers a radical invitation to rest in the practice of the presence of God—finding peace, joy, and love in the very heart of daily life.