Christian Book Club will read The Practice of the Presence of God, a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite friar. Brother Lawrence was a man of humble beginnings who discovered the greatest secret of living in the kingdom of God here on earth is the art of “practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end.” As a humble cook, Brother Lawrence learned an important lesson through each daily chore: The time he spent in communion with the Lord should be the same, whether he was bustling around in the kitchen—with several people asking questions at the same time—or on his knees in prayer. This unparalleled classic has given both blessing and instruction to those who can be content with nothing less than knowing God in all His majesty and feeling His loving presence throughout each simple day. The compilation includes letters, as well as records of his conversations kept by Brother Lawrence’s interlocutors. It was originally published in 1692. We will meet in January.