My God, you are always close to me
In obedience to you,
I must now apply myself to outward things.
Yet as I do so,
I pray that you will give me the grace of your presence.
And to this end I ask that you will assist my work,
receive its fruits as an offering to you,
and all the while direct all my affections to you.
receive its fruits as an offering to you,
and all the while direct all my affections to you.
Brother Lawrence, 1611-1691, Carmelite brother and cook, Paris
from The Practice of the Presence of God
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You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
prayer & verse 