Prayer is nothing else but a sense of the presence of God

The saying of Brother Lawrence, "Prayer is nothing else but a sense of the presence of God," expresses one of the central themes of his spiritual teaching: prayer is not primarily an activity but a relationship.

Prayer is not limited to set times, formal words, or particular places. For him, true prayer is an ongoing awareness that God is near and that we live in His presence. Whether washing dishes, preparing reports for the office, or participating in church activities, we can be in prayer by being aware of God’s loving presence. This reflects the biblical invitation: "Pray without ceasing." (1Thessalonians 5:17). Continuous prayer becomes possible not because we are constantly speaking to God, but because we are constantly conscious of Him.

The phrase "a sense of the presence of God" does not necessarily mean a strong feeling or mystical experience. In the Christian spiritual tradition, one may be deeply united with God even during times of dryness or spiritual darkness. The "sense" equates to faith—a quiet belief or conviction that God is always present, whether or not we feel Him. Prayer, then, rests not on emotions but on trust.

The Catholic definition of prayer is "the raising of one's mind and heart to God." Brother Lawrence's definition complements this teaching by emphasising that the heart can remain turned toward God throughout the day. Even the smallest actions can become prayer when they are done with love and with an awareness of God's presence.

A simple way to practise unceasing prayer is given in True Life in God. “We, us” principle. Meaning, if you leave the house, you say Jesus, let us go out together. Or let us prepare the food, or let us watch a movie together. If we do this, then we can fulfil the invitation to pray without ceasing.