Spiritual Solutions

In the Seventh Letter, Brother Lawrence encourages us to simply begin to practice the presence of God, no matter how old we may be or whether we spend a lot or a little time in the practice. The important thing is to begin.

A question we all experience is addressed in the Eighth Letter, that of what to do about wandering thoughts in prayer. He advises us not to disquiet ourselves because of wandering thoughts, since trouble and disquiet serve to distract the mind. He suggests that one way to recollect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to wander too far at other times but to keep the mind in the presence of God and to think of Him often.

The Ninth Letter is to a colleague in response to a letter he received from a lady; he asks his colleague to deliver his letter to her and to report to him on her progress from time to time. In so doing he also brings to his colleague the importance of a greater awareness and attention to the practice of the presence of God, and I quote:

“We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure.”

Now we turn our attention to two more letters.

TENTH LETTER

I have had a good deal of difficulty to bring myself to write to Mr. ____, and I do it now purely because you and Madame _____ desire me. Pray write the directions and send it to him. I am very well pleased with the trust which you have in God; I wish that He may increase it in you more and more. We cannot have too much in as good and faithful a Friend, who will never fail us in this world nor in the next.

If Mr. ______ makes his advantage of the loss he has had, and puts all his confidence in God, He will soon give him another friend, more powerful and more inclined to serve him. He disposes of hearts as He pleases. Perhaps Mr. _______ was too much attached to him he has lost. We ought to love our friends, but without encroaching on the love due to God, which must be the principal.

Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on God, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone who came to visit you; why, then, must God be neglected?

Do not, then, forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually, live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian. In a word, this is our profession; if we do not know it, we must learn it. I will endeavor to help you with my prayers, and am, in our Lord,

Yours, etc.

ELEVENTH LETTER

I do not pray that you be delivered from your pains, but I pray God earnestly that He would give you strength and patience to bear them as long as He pleases. Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to the cross. He will loose you when He thinks fit. Happy those who suffer with Him. Accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be necessary for you.

The men of the world do not comprehend these truths, nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and not like Christians. They consider sickness as a pain to nature, and not as a favor from God; and seeing it only in that light, they fid nothing in it but grief and distress.

But those who consider sickness as coming from the hand of God, as the effect of His mercy, and the means which He employs for their salvation – such commonly find in it great sweetness and sensible consolation.

I wish you could convince yourself that God is often (in some sense) nearer to us, and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in health. Rely upon no other physician; for, according to my apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself.

Put, then, all your trust in Him, and you will soon find the effects of it in your recovery, which we often retard by putting greater confidence in physic than in God.

Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He permits. When pains come from God, He only can cure them. He often sends diseases of the body to cure those of the soul. Comfort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of the soul and body.

Be satisfied with the condition in which God places you; however happy you may think me, I envy you. Pains and sufferings would be a paradise to me while I should suffer with my God, and the greatest pleasures would be hell to me if I could relish them without Him. All my consolation would be to suffer something for His sake.

I must, in a little time, go to God. What comforts me in this life is that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as might make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see. I feel what faith teaches us, and in that assurance and that practice of faith I will live and die with Him.

Continue, then, always with God; it is the only support and comfort for your affliction. I shall beseech Him to be with you. I present my service.

Yours, etc.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

If you’d like to receive weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at Rich Words

To make a donation to “Spiritual Solutions,” just go to Send a Love Offering and it will take you to a simple form you can use. Thank you - I am very grateful for your generosity!

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In the Fifth Letter it appears that Brother Lawrence was writing to an older person, who is perhaps the head of a holy society, in regard to one who is proposing to make her profession, or vows, and who is requesting prayer.

He asks that the one to whom he is writing not disappoint the one requesting prayer, and he sent to the correspondent a book on the practice of the presence of God, with his strongest possible recommendation of the practice.

In the Sixth Letter to the same person, he evidently had not had any response in regard to the book he had sent. So again he strongly recommends the practice and to (I love this) “Pray set heartily about the practice of it in your old age; it is better late than never.”

Now we turn to three more letters from Brother Lawrence.

SEVENTH LETTER

I pity you much. It will be of great importance if you can leave the care of your affairs to ________, and spend the remainder of your life only in worshipping God.

He requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time; a little adoration; sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can.

Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.

It is not necessary for being with God to be always at church. We may make an oratory of our heart wherein to retire from time to time to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Every one is capable of such familiar conversation with God, some more, some less. He knows what we can do. Let us begin then.

Perhaps He expects but one generous resolution on our part. Have courage. We have but little time to live; you are near sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God. Sufferings will be sweet and pleasant to us while we are with Him; and the greatest pleasures will be, without Him, a cruel punishment to us. May He be blessed for all. Amen.

Accustom yourself, then, by degrees thus to worship Him, to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time in the midst of your business, even every moment, if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules or particular forms of devotion, but act with a general confidence in God, with love and humility. You may assure _________ of my poor prayers, and that I am their servant, and particularly

Yours in our Lord, etc.

EIGHTH LETTER

(Concerning Wandering Thoughts in Prayer)

You tell me nothing new; you are not the only one that is troubled with wandering thoughts. Our mind is extremely roving; but, as the will is mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to God as their last end.

When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth.

I believe one remedy for this is to confess our faults and to humble ourselves before God. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer, many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering.

Hold yourself in prayer before God like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate. Let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord. If it sometimes wander and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind than to recollect it; the will must bring it back in tranquility. If you persevere in this manner, God will have pity on you.

One way to recollect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it strictly in the presence of God; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.

I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of God. Let us set about it seriously, and pray for one another.

Yours, etc.

NINTH LETTER

The enclosed is an answer to that which I received from ___________; pray deliver it to her. She seems to me full of good will, but she would go faster than grace. One does not become holy all at once. I recommend her to you; we ought to help one another by our advice, and yet more by our good examples. You will oblige me to let me hear of her from time to time, and whether she be very fervent and very obedient.

Let us think often that our only business in this life is to please God, and that all besides is but folly and vanity. You and I have lived about forty years in religion (i.e., a monastic life). Have we employed them in loving and serving God, who by His mercy has called us to this state, and for that very end?

I am filled with shame and confusion when I reflect, on one hand, upon the great favors which God has done, and incessantly continues to do me; and on the other, upon the ill use I have made of them, and my small advancement in the way of perfection.

Since by His mercy He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest; let us repair the lost time; let us return with a full assurance to that Father of mercies, who is always ready to receive us affectionately. Let us renounce, let us generously renounce, for the love of Him, all that is not Himself; He deserves infinitely more.

Let us think of Him perpetually. Let us put all our trust in Him. I doubt not but we shall soon find the effects of it in receiving the abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can do nothing but sin.

We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life without the actual and continual help of God. Let us, then, pray to Him for it continually. How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him but in thinking of Him often? And how can we often think of Him but by a holy habit which we should form of it?

You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing. It is true, for this is the best and easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to do it. We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure. This is an argument which well deserves your consideration.

I am,

Yours, etc.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

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Life is exciting! 

There’s just so much you can achieve.

Yet in the desire to attain success, impatience can set in.

If you let impatience rule, then you start looking for ways to speed towards the outcome and in doing so neglect the vital foundations that you need to get there.

Often, it pays to be ’slow but sure’ rather than ‘fast and rash.’

After all, giant oaks rise slowly from tiny acorns. It takes years of patience for a tree to grow. There are no short-cuts for the oak … no quick growing formula. It all takes time and nourishment.

As that acorn takes root, pushes through the soil and grows up under the light, it begins to establish its foundations in order to be strong and tall.

Its only goal is to become a great oak tree and it becomes just that in its own time.

So, first things first … focus on your roots or foundations.

Sai Baba said…

“A house must be built on solid foundations if it is to last. The same principle applies to man, otherwise he too will sink back into the soft ground and becomes swallowed up by the world of illusion.”

Whether you wish to succeed in business, sport, science, the arts or simply as being the best person you could possibly be, make sure your foundations are strong.

These solid foundations will carry you so much further through life. You’ll be able to depend upon them. 

Concentrate on what needs to be done.

Don’t cheat because you’ll only be cheating yourself.

Stay focused, work productively, prioritize what needs to be accomplished and just do it!

Remember, all things have their time.

So, like the oak, grow firm roots and success will follow.

(Thanks to Karl Moore, of www.KarlBlog.com for another great article)

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

“Summer Heat Calls for Inner Cool!” I could see the headline now, as I worked with my frustration in trying to get someone to come out and fix our air-conditioning. It was the middle of summer and not only was the air inside the house hot, I was pretty hot too.

The promise was that someone would come out and fix it between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday. No one showed up. They said they’d be there Tuesday, between the same times. It was after 4 p.m. before anyone showed up.

Then, after assurances from customer service that we had a manufacturer’s warranty on the A/C unit, the service man tells me the condenser unit needs replacing and there’s no warranty on that.

It wasn’t just air-conditioning I needed by this time, it was inner conditioning! Ever been there? I’m sure you have. Of course, it all got resolved eventually. We got several quotes and now have a brand new condenser unit with a 10-year warranty.

A nice ending touch was that, a couple of days later, we received a lovely flower arrangement by way of the sales person. It sat there sweetly in the middle of our coffee table, quietly reminding me of the need for inner conditioning if you want to be truly cool.

There’s a great little story that points up the same message:

Once upon a time there was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried.

The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this painting thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these mountains were ragged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.

But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.

The king chose the second painting as the prize-winning picture of peace. Do you know why?

“Because,” explained the king, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

Would you like to be truly cool and maintain a deep sense of inner peace?

Well, maybe I can help you with some inner conditioning.

Have you ever thought of using a meditation based on the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi? You may recall that the opening line of that famous prayer is, “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.”

The clue to finding peace is in those last two words: “thy peace.”

You can learn how to be a calm center of peace for yourself and an instrument of God’s peace for others. Here’s how:

First take some time, maybe each day for a week, to memorize the Prayer of St. Francis.

Then, having memorized the prayer, when you next settle into a time of quiet meditation, use one line of the prayer at a time and say it very slowly to yourself letting it sink into your consciousness at a deep level:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon,

Where there is doubt, faith,

Where there is despair, hope,

Where there is darkness, light,

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much

Seek to be consoled, as to console;

To be understood, as to understand;

To be loved, as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying [to self] that we are born to eternal life.

Let this be your form of meditation each day for as long as need be, and until you are feeling a deeper sense of peace within yourself. Then keep it in mind and use it whenever you need it any time in the future.

“If you are at peace,” said Thomas Merton, “then there is at least some peace in the world. Then share your peace with everyone, and everyone will be at peace.”

Yours, in Love and Peace,

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

P.S. If you would like to be on Rev. Alan’s personal mailing list to receive his inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions, you can sign up at http://spiritualsolutionsblog.com/

In the Second Letter from the book, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, we learned again of his early trials in seeking to practice the presence but also that he stayed in faith and continued his practice. He quit all other devotions and practices in favor of a simple attention to God’s holy presence and a silent, secret conversation of the soul with God. It is interesting that when speaking of his soul he speaks of it as having a feminine nature, calling his soul “She.”

Even when his mind wanders from his attention to God’s presence, he finds himself recalled by what he refers to as “inward motions so charming and delicious” that he is afraid to mention them to his correspondent and says he would rather that the Reverend reflect upon his wretchedness than upon the great favors which God does him. It’s rather like any one of us who, upon receiving some kind of good, can’t believe our good fortune and feel that if we delight in it too much somehow it could be taken away from us.

In that regard, let me remind you that nothing is too good to be true. And do not feel that to experience the presence of God in a continual and delightful way is delusional because, as Brother Lawrence says, the soul which thus enjoys God desires herein nothing but Him. And if this be delusion, it belongs to God to remedy it.

Let us now turn to the THIRD LETTER:

We have a God who is infinitely gracious and knows all our wants. I always thought that He would reduce you to extremity. He will come in His own time, and when you least expect it. Hope in Him more than ever; thank Him with me for the favors He does you, particularly for the fortitude and patience which He gives you in your afflictions. It is a plain mark of the care He takes of you. Comfort yourself, then, with Him, and give thanks for all.

I admire also the fortitude and bravery of Mr. ________. God has given him a good disposition and a good will; but there is in him still a little of the world and a great deal of youth. I hope the affliction which God has sent him will prove a wholesome remedy to him, and make him enter into himself. It is an accident which should engage him to put all his trust in Him who accompanies him everywhere. Let him think of Him as often as he can, especially in the greatest dangers.

A little lifting up of the heart suffices. A little remembrance of God, one act of inward worship, though upon a march, and a sword in hand, are prayers, which, however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to God; and far from lessening a soldier’s courage in occasions of danger, they best serve to fortify it.

Let him then think of God the most he can. Let him accustom himself, by degrees, to this small but holy exercise. No one will notice it, and nothing is easier to repeat often in the day these little internal adorations. Recommend to him, if you please, that he think of God the most he can, in the manner here directed. It is very fit and most necessary for a soldier, who is daily exposed to the dangers of life. I hope that God will assist him and all the family, to whom I present my service, being theirs and

Yours, etc.

FOURTH LETTER

I have taken this opportunity to communicate to you the sentiments of one of our society, concerning the admirable effects and continual assistances which he receives from the presence of God. Let you and me both profit by them.

You must know his continual care has been, for about forty years past that he has spent in religion, to be always with God, and to do nothing, say nothing, and think nothing which may displease Him, and this without any other view than purely for the love of Him, and because He deserves infinitely more.

He is now so accustomed to the divine presence that he receives from it continual succors upon all occasions. For about thirty years his soul has been filled with joys so continual, and sometimes so great, that he is forced to use means to moderate them, and to hinder their appearing outwardly.

If sometimes he is a little too much absent from that divine presence, God presently makes Himself to be felt in his soul to recall him, which often happens when he is most engaged in his outward business.

He answers with exact fidelity to these inward drawings, either by an elevation of his heart toward God, or by a meek and fond regard to Him; or by such words as love forms upon these occasions, as, for instance, My God, here I am all devoted to Thee. Lord, make me according to Thy heart. And then it seems to him (as in effect he feels it) that this God of love, satisfied with such few words, reposes again, and rests in the fund and center of his soul.

The experience of these things gives him such an assurance that God is always in the fund or bottom of his soul that it renders him incapable of doubting it upon any account whatever.

Judge by this what content and satisfaction he enjoys, while he continually finds in himself so great a treasure. He is no longer in an anxious search after it, but has it open before him, and may take what he pleases of it.

He complains much of our blindness, and cries often that we are to be pitied who content ourselves with so little. God, saith he, has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion, which passes in a moment.  Blind as we are, we hinder God and stop the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favors plentifully; there they flow like a torrent, which, after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.

Yes, we often stop this torrent by the little value we set upon it. But let us stop it no more; let us enter into ourselves and break down the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace; let us redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left. Death followed us close; let us be well prepared for it; for we die but once, and a miscarriage there is irretrievable.

I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses, there is no room for delay; our souls are at stake. I believe you have taken such effectual measures that you will not be surprised. I commend you for it; it is the one thing necessary.

We must, nevertheless, always work at it, because not to advance in the spiritual life is to go back. But those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep. If the vessel of our soul is stil tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the Lord, who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the sea.

I have taken the liberty to impart to you these good sentiments, that you may compare them with your own. It will serve again to kindle and inflame them, if by misfortune (which God forbid, for it would be indeed a great misfortune) they should be, though never so little, cooled.

Let us then both recall our first fervors. Let us profit by the example and the sentiments of this brother, who is little known of the world, but known of God, and extremely caressed by Him. I will pray for you; do you pray incessantly for me, who am, in our Lord,

Yours, etc.

God is Blessing You Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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 Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

If you’d like to receive weekday inspirational quotes, you can subscribe at Rich Words

To make a donation to “Spiritual Solutions,” just go to Send a Love Offering and it will take you to a simple form you can use. Thank you - I am very grateful for your generosity!

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Over the last several weeks, I’ve been writing a book while participating in a great proram on the whole process of becoming an author of mini-books. A mini-book is a pocket-size book which also has an online journal for the reader to access, making the book an individual interactive experience for the reader.

I’m still in the process of writing as well as moving forward into the design and publishing process. It’s a fascinating journey. When I’m finished writing and publishing my book, you who are on my mailing list will get first dibs at it. My book will have the title Miracle Power You Can Use Today.

I’m telling you about this now because Robert Evans, the originator of “Messenger Mini-books,” will be starting another Mini-Book program in November. If you’re interested and would like to check it out, go to http://www.authorin90days.com where you can get all the information about the program.

I look forward to hearing that you will be joining me in this writing adventure. By the way, there are lots of resources provided and you’ll enjoy the sharing with and support of others that will be on the journey with you. Even after the initial program is completed, you’ll still have access to all the resources so there is no pressure to complete your book within the program timeline.

I decided just to have fun with it. Maybe you can do the same.

Remember, God is Blessing You Right Now!

Rev. Alan

In this series based on selections from the book The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, we last week presented the first of Brother Lawrence’s Letters.

In the First Letter he emphasized the importance of making the sense of God’s presence habitual. In other words, so that it becomes a natural part of our being.

In seeking to become wholly God’s, he renounced in mind everything that was not God and began to live as if there was none but God and he in the world.

 Even though he encountered many difficulties in his practice, he continued it.

 Now we turn to the Second Letter.

To the Reverend _________

Not finding any manner of life in books, although I have no difficulty about it, yet, for greater security, I shall be glad to know your thoughts concerning it.

In a conversation some days since with a person of piety, he told me the spiritual life was a life of grace, which begins with servile fear, which is increased by hope of eternal life, and which is consummated by pure love; that each of these states had its different stages, by which one arrives at last at that blessed consummation.

I have not followed all these methods. On the contrary, from I know not what instincts, I found they discouraged me. This is the reason why, at my entrance into religion, I took a resolution to give myself up to God, as the best return I could make for His love, and, for the love of Him, to renounce all besides.

For the first year I commonly employed myself during the time set apart for devotion with the thought of death, judgment, heaven, hell, and my sins. Thus I continued some years, applying my mind carefully the rest of the day, and even in the midst of my business, to the presence of God, whom I considered always as with me, often as in me.

At length I came insensibly to do the same thing during my set time of prayer, which caused in me great delight and consolation. This practice produced in me so high an esteem for God that faith alone was capable to satisfy me in that point.

(At this point the narrator inserts a footnote, as follows: I suppose he means that all distinct notions he could form of God were unsatisfactory, because he perceived them to be unworthy of God; and therefore his mind was not to be satisfied but by the views of faith, which apprehend God as infinite and incomprehensible, as He is in Himself, and not as He can be conceived by human ideas.)

Such was my beginning, and yet I must tell you that for the first ten years I suffered much. The apprehension that I was not devoted to God as I wished to be, my past sins always present to my mind, and the great unmerited favors which God did me, were the matter and source of my sufferings. During this time I fell often, and rose again presently.

It seemed to me that all creatures, reason, and God Himself were against me, and faith alone for me. I was troubled sometimes with thoughts that to believe I had received such favors was an effect of my presumption, which pretended to be at once where others arrived with difficulty; at other times, that it was a willful delusion, and that there was no salvation for me.

When I thought of nothing but to end my days in these troubles (which did not at all diminish the trust I had in God, and which served only to increase my faith), I found myself changed all at once; and my soul, which till that time was in trouble, felt a profound inward peace, as if she were in her center and place of rest.

Ever since that time I walk before God simply, in faith, with humility and with love, and I apply myself diligently to do nothing and think nothing which may displease Him. I hope that when I have done what I can, He will do with me what He pleases.

As for what passes in me at present, I cannot express it. I have no pain or difficulty about my state, because I have no will but that of God, which I endeavor to accomplish in all things, and to which I am so resigned that I would not take up a straw from the ground against His order, or from any other motive than purely that of love to Him.

I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business only to persevere in His holy presence, wherein I keep myself by a simple attention, and a general fond regard to God, which I may call an actual presence of God; or, to speak better, an habitual, silent, and secret conversation of the soul with God, which often causes me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them and prevent their appearance to others.

In short, I am assured beyond all doubt that my soul has been with God above these thirty years. I pass over many things that I may not be tedious to you, yet I think it proper to inform you after what manner I consider myself before God, whom I behold as my King.

I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full of sores and corruption, and who has committed all sorts of crimes against his King. Touched with a sensible regret, I confess to Him all my wickedness, I ask his forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands that He may do what He pleases with me. The King, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastising me, embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table, serves me with His own hands, gives me the key of His treasures; He converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways, and treats me in all respects as His favorite. It is thus I consider myself from time to time in His holy presence.

My most useful method is this simple attention, and such a general passionate regard to God, to whom I find myself often attached with great sweetness and delight than that of an infant at the mother’s breast; so that, if I dare to use the expression, I should choose to call this state the bosom of God, for the inexpressible sweetness which I taste and experience there.

If sometimes my thoughts wander from it by necessity or infirmity, I am presently recalled by inward motions so charming and delicious that I am ashamed to mention them. I desire your Reverence to reflect rather upon my great wretchedness, of which you are fully informed, than upon the great favors which God does me, all unworthy and ungrateful as I am.

As for my set hours of prayer, they are only a continuation of the same exercise. Sometimes I consider myself there as a stone before a carver, whereof he is to make a statue; presenting myself thus before God, I desire Him to form His perfect image in my soul, and to make me entirely like Himself.

At other times, when I apply myself to prayer, I feel all my spirit and all my soul lift itself up without any care or effort of mine, and it continues as it were suspended and firmly fixed in God, as in its center and place of rest.

I know that some charge this state with inactivity, delusion, and self-love. I confess that it is a holy inactivity, and would be a happy self-love if the soul in that state were capable of it, because, in effect, while she is in this repose, she cannot be disturbed by such acts as she was former accustomed to, and which were then her support, but which would now rather hinder than assist her.

Yet I cannot bear that this should be called delusion, because the soul which thus enjoys God desires herein nothing but Him. If this be delusion in me, it belongs to God to remedy it. Let Him do what He pleases with me; I desire only Him, and to be wholly devoted to Him. You will, however, oblige me in sending me your opinion, to which I always pay a great deference, for I have a singular esteem for your Reverence, and am in our Lord,

Yours, etc.

God is Blessing You, Right Now!

Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-six years, invites you to enjoy more articles and/or subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions or go directly to the Spiritual Solutions Blog

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