pstrongemThe Practice of the Presence of Godem is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrencestrongstrong born Nicolas Herman, a 17th-century Carmelitestrongstrong friarstrongstrong, compiled by Father Joseph de Beaufort. The compilation includes letters, as well as records of his conversations kept by Brother Lawrence's interlocutors. The basic theme of the book is the development of an awareness of the presence of Godstrongstrong.strongppemAbout Brother LawrenceemppstrongThe first conversation in the book recounts Brother Lawrence's conversion to a deeper commitment to his Christian faith at 18 years old ...in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time, the leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of the Providence and Power of God, which has never since been effaced from his soul.strongppstrongAt the age of 24, Brother Lawrence joined the Order of Discalced Carmelites in Paris