Continually Conversation with God. My Altar, My Kitchen, My Business, My Work. A reflection of Brother Lawrence-The Practice of the Presence of God
- eric mau hsiao ming
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Brother Lawrence, a humble Carmelite monk, found his sacred space—not in a grand cathedral, but in the kitchen of a monastery. In a place where others saw only mundane, repetitive work, he discovered an altar—a space where he met with God in every moment.
He wasn’t a theologian or a saint in the traditional sense, yet his simple, method-less approach to God continues to resonate with seekers today. His wisdom teaches us that an altar isn’t just a physical place but a state of heart—a continual conversation with God in the middle of our daily lives.
If Brother Lawrence could transform a bustling monastery kitchen into a place of deep communion with God, can’t we do the same in our workplaces and businesses? Imagine a life where every moment—whether making a sales call, managing a delivery, serving a client, or leading a meeting—becomes an act of prayer, an altar where you encounter God.
This seemingly easy practices still resonates with modern readers today and finds his way among the well known and a must read spirituality books for all.
Imagine a life where every moment—whether washing dishes, walking to work, or sitting in silence, doing your sales call, managing a delivery and giving a sales pitch can —becomes an act of altar building. Where God’s presence isn’t something you seek only in church but something you experience every second of the day in the everyday life.
For Brother Lawrence, we don’t need to search for God in grand religious experiences. God is already present in the smallest details of our lives, even mundane tasks—like peeling potatoes in the monastery kitchen— can become an act of worship. He didn’t separate "holy" activities (prayer, church services) from "ordinary" ones (cooking, cleaning, conducting business). Instead, he infused all moments of life with the awareness of God, often with sweet and calm devotion, preserving his recollection and heavenly mindedness, something you and I can do in our every day work and business in the world. The time of business for me says, brother Lawrence- does not differ with time of prayer and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, where at the same time several peoples calling for different thing, I posses God in as great tranquility as i am upon my knees at the blessed sacrament (Conversation 4)
“We should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence by continually conversing with Him- Every moment is an altar and open heaven between you and God
How can we apply this?
As you go about your day in your business/work, erect an altar-whisper short prayers or words of gratitude, enter into praise and thanksgiving (conversation 4)
When doing chores, remind yourself that God is with you in its abiding presence
Turn routine moments—like drinking coffee, driving, meeting customers or commuting—into times of altar building. Familiarity with God is the key and through this his grace flows and altar building becomes habitual.
The goal isn’t to add more prayer into your life but to recognize that life itself is an opportunity to build an altar when lived with with the awareness of God’s presence.
Altar doesn’t have to be complicated, altar can be build wherever, whenever and in whatever places we are in for it is of the heart! Brother Lawrence believed that talking to God should be as natural as talking to a friend.
He rejected rigid or formal prayers, instead encouraging simple, heartfelt conversations throughout the day and that his formal time of prayer is an extension of his daily altar. There was no need for fancy words at the altar— no complexities, just honesty and openness.
“We must speak to God as we speak to a friend, asking Him for help in times of need, and rejoicing in Him in times of happiness.”
Try this:
Instead of waiting for a designated prayer time to build an altar, talk to God spontaneously—build altar while walking, working, or resting.
Share your struggles, joys, and thoughts, just as you would with a close friend.
Don’t worry about saying the "right" things; sincerity is what matters most.
Brother Lawrence saw love as the driving force behind his altar. He didn’t erect an altar out of duty or obligation—he prayed because he loved God. Intimacy at the altar hangs on this love with faith and hope.
This love transformed his prayer. This love directs his heart to connect with God wholly and to people he serves (in the kitchen). Even the most tiresome tasks became meaningful and joyful when done for God. He once said that he was more united with God while working in the kitchen than during formal prayer times because everything he did was for love (probably for us too in our businesses and work, when it is seen as an altar)
“We ought not to grow weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
A practical takeaway:
Before starting any task, silently dedicate it to God - build an altar.
Find joy in the little things, knowing that even the smallest acts—done with love—are sacred. Brother Lawrence often recollect, how the outburst was his joy after his encountered, that he has to drown it before others.
One of the most comforting aspects of Brother Lawrence’s teachings is his attitude toward failure. He understood that we would often forget God’s presence or get distracted, but he didn’t believe in guilt or discouragement. Instead, he taught that the moment we realize we’ve lost focus, we should gently return to God—without shame or frustration. Altar can always be repaired, rebuilt and God will meet us there.
“When we fail in our duty, we should only humble ourselves before God with sorrow for our failing, without discouragement, and without troubling ourselves.”
This is a powerful reminder that spirituality isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence building a habitual practice of the presence of God. His desire was to be wholly God's in that altar and even if you forget to pray or lose awareness of God’s presence, don’t be hard on yourself. Simply begin again- build that altar again today.
Brother Lawrence’s wisdom is refreshingly simple yet profoundly life-changing. His approach to altar building isn’t about adding more religious practices to our busy lives; it’s about transforming everything we already do into an act of altar building. Brother Lawrence’s wisdom reminds us that work and worship were never meant to be separate. Even in the beginning, when God placed Adam in the garden, Genesis 2:15 tells us that Adam was to tend (worship) and keep (guard) it. The priestly and kingly roles were united—work was an act of devotion in the sacred garden - Eden. By practicing God’s presence in our workplaces, we reconnect faith with business, worship with work. Our offices, shops, and industries become sanctuaries where the presence of God dwells—not just on Sundays, but in the everyday. it is an Altar to the almighty God.
By continually conversing with God, we turn ordinary moments into sacred encounters. We turn ordinary moment to worship. We connect business to faith. We learn to see God not as distant but as a constant companion, present in the simplest joys and the most difficult struggles.
So today, as you go about your routine, take a moment to acknowledge God’s presence. Build an altar by whispering a praise and thanksgiving. Express your gratitude. Invite God into the small, ordinary moments, because in the end, spirituality isn’t about doing more—it’s about being with God in everything.
You can hear the reading of the book at-
The free e-book can be downloaded at-
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