The Practice of the Presence of God - Pope Leo Edition

“As I have had occasion to say, together with the writings of Saint Augustine and other books, this is one of the texts that have most shaped my spiritual life and have formed me in what the path can be for knowing and loving the Lord.”

–Pope Leo XIV

Step into a life of continual conversation with God.

We hear the call to “pray without ceasing,” but it can seem impossible in the middle of our modern life with daily tasks, interactions, and responsibilities.

However, what if this feat is not unattainable?

In The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence offers a simple, profound way forward: God is present to you at every moment, and you can learn to be present to him.

Brother Lawrence didn’t live a hidden life removed from the world. He worked in a monastery kitchen, carried out ordinary responsibilities, and experienced many of the same distractions and demands we all do. And yet, in the midst of it all, he discovered a way to live in constant friendship with God, where even the smallest tasks became an encounter with him.

At the heart of his teaching is this: God is always near, and holiness is found not in extraordinary practices, but in a steady, loving awareness of His presence in the ordinary.

The Ascension edition brings this beloved spiritual work to life with a clear, accessible, and Ascension exclusive translation by Matthew K. Minerd, as well as an insightful introduction and commentary by Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and Rebecca Dougherty. 

This edition also includes a foreword written by Pope Leo XIV, introducing readers to a book that has been personally impactful in his own relationship with God.

Inside this book, you’ll discover:

• Simple ways to “pray without ceasing” through the day
• How ordinary tasks can become real prayer
• Why holiness is found in fidelity to small, everyday moments
• How to develop an ongoing, interior conversation with God
• Why childlike trust in God matters more than complex or time consuming practices
• How peace grows when you learn to surrender and trust God in all things
• What it means to abide in God not just in prayer, but in every moment of life

This book is part of Ascension’s Catholic Classics series, created to make the Church’s most powerful spiritual works readable and approachable for modern Catholics. The Practice of the Presence of God will be read on Ascension’s Catholic Classics podcast with commentary from Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. and Rebecca Dougherty.

Sign up for the podcast reading plan here.