Practice the Presence of God (a book review)

Can we really fulfill the command to "pray without ceasing." Can we constantly and consciously rest in the Lord and have fellowship with him? If such is possible does it require that you live in a monastery?
These questions and more are answered in a 1600s book by Brother Lawerence, entitled, "Practice the Presence of God." In a simple way his book explains how it is possible to do EVERYTHING for the glory of God, and how to have continuous communion with him. No it does not take a special formula or a higher theological education, it merely requires the express and total purpose of your life be the service of God. That you would view doing the greatest pleasure for yourself, rather than for him, to be a greatest misery possible. And that the most distastful chores, and mundane tasks be done only and totally for him. Indeed it is possible to do something so little as picking up a straw from the ground for the glory of God. Brother Lawerence explained how, because of his communion with God, the private times of prayer where no less times of fellowship with God then when he worked in his kitchen.
While on earth, we will still have failures while excercising this communion with God, Brother Lawerence explained, but yet it is a fortaste of heaven, unbroken fellowship with the Lord.

This book was a great encouragement and conviction to me, I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking closer fellowship with God. You can find it free online here:
http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/practicegodspresence08.html

A Method For Prayer

"A Method For Prayer" is a book on prayer, written by the well known Pastor and Commentator, Matthew Henry in the 1600's. While his grammar maybe be old fashioned and the book itself is almost 400 years old, it is just as applicable today as the day he wrote it. The relationship with God that he speaks of, and the knowledge of the scripture he had, makes me yearn for those things.
He address each part of Prayer and shows how to use scripture in each of those areas. He does this by listing literally pages of scripture! You might say, "Isn't that sort of boring?" Well you might think so, but Matthew Henry was able in some way, to make it incredibly edifying. So many times I would recognize one of the scripture he was using,(whether it was in Adoration, Confession, Petiton, Thanksgiving, or Intercession.) and think to my self, "What a powerful way to pray that verse." In addition to that, the huge amount of scripture he lists, and the depth to which he digs in each of those five areas, almost makes it a theology lesson!
After addressing those specific parts of prayer, he went on to compile scriptural prayers for public meetings, conclusions of prayer, and an extended Lord's Prayer. After this he gives one chapter of short, non-scriptural prayers (I could tell he was still using alot of scripture, but it wasn't referenced, and it wasn't 100% scripture.).
After this there are three Discourses on how to spend the day with God. If you don't have time to read nine chapters of prayer, you still MUST read these discourses. I found them encouraging, convicting, invigorating, sanctifying, and INCREDIBLY powerful!
The first was on how to begin the day with God. I found myself convicted in that my service and communication to God is almost an after thought, and I forget the thankfulness for the grace He showed me through the night watches.
The second was on how to spend the day with God. In this I was again convicted in the importance of waiting on the Lord, and how little I do it. We are to wait on him whatever the circumstance, whatever the action, etc.
Third was Closing the day with God, and here also I found myself lacking. Prayer to God at the end of the day is of the essence. We must pray for forgiveness, show thankfulness, pray for his protection through the night, not only for physical harm but from spiritual also, and pray that keep our hearts from thinking on wickedness.

In conclusion, this book is one of the most power books on prayer. It is immersed in scripture, and it has truly convicted and influenced me. I thank the Lord for work Matthew Henry, and I especially thank him for this incredible work, A Method for Prayer. I hope everyone who reads this review, will read this book, and I pray that God will use it in your lives, for his glory and the advancement of his kingdom.
Thank you for reading,
In Christ, David.