For some time I have struggled to get into the pattern of praying which I developed during my last year in Kent. It was easy to pray in my last house. I had a prayer room with no distractions in it. I could shut the door and everything was ready for me- my music, my books, my sofa and my piano. I spent evening after evening in there, by myself.

Those were precious months.

This house is not so easy. The piano is under the children’s rooms and wakes them at night. I don’t have my own prayer space and I don’t have everything all kept in one place any longer.

Last night I was leading worship at church and as the last song ended I found myself in tears. God had taken me to a deep place in Him that I had not dwelt in for a while. I had missed it!

It reminded me of the beautiful writings of Brother Lawrence that I was encouraged to read by one of my mentors whilst at University.

Brother Lawrence was born around 1610 in Lorraine in France. He fought in the 30 years war as a soldier and sustained a near-fatal injury to his sciatic nerve. The injury left him quite crippled and in chronic pain for the rest of his life.

In middle life he entered a monastery and for the rest of his life devoted himself to practicing God’s presence with joy and calm. This, despite being in constant discomfort and regular pain.

His conversations are recorded in a short booklet entitled ‘Practicing the presence of God” (which can be downloaded here: http://www.practicegodspresence.com/)

One of my favourite quotes from the writings is this:
“When outward business diverted him a little from the thought of God, a fresh remembrance coming from God invested his soul and so inflamed and transported him that it was difficult for him to contain himself. He said he was more united to God in his outward employments than when he left them for devotion in retirement.”

That is really interesting – not to mention comforting, to me. Brother Lawrence’s experience was not that he felt closer to God in meditation and study, but that he was often more intimate with Him in performing his everyday duties in the kitchen or in the sandal repair workshop. He did not need the rosary or the stations of the cross to inspire him but the simple acts of serving others helped him stay closer to His Father.

Today as you serve others by making them food, buying them something or tidying up, you are serving God and can be as close to Him as you were last time you sensed the depths of His presence in worship.

For this is your worship too. Your service is service to Him.
Every time you put on the kettle, you are doing it “as unto the Lord.”
Rejoice in the small things that bring big joys and practice His presence today.