--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Were I a preacher, I should preach above…" description: "\"Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God… Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png" --- # Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things… ![“Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God… Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward, even in sleep.” quote by Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png) > “Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God… Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward, even in sleep.” [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Preachers should prioritize experiencing God's presence over mere doctrine. **In simple terms:** Focus on divine presence, not preaching. Key Takeaway Seek personal spiritual experience. Themes spirituality humility devotion Mood contemplative inspirational Type mystical reflective When to use this quote - personal prayer - silent retreats - spiritual mentorship - daily reflection Key Concepts mysticism inner transformation Questions to Reflect On - How does one balance preaching and personal spirituality? - What practices deepen awareness of God's presence? A Different Perspective Emphasizing experience may be seen as neglecting teaching duties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gale/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-spirit/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Preach Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preach-things-503609/) [Preacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher/) [Preacher Preach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preacher-preach-3339837/) [Presence God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence-god/) [Presence of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence-of-god/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [A wet eyed preacher will never preach dry sermons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/a-wet-eyed-preacher-will-never-preach-dry-sermons/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [I'm not a preacher, but I preach. I'm not a Buddhist, but I chant. I'm not race theorist, but I have questions and ponderances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theaster-gates/i-m-not-a-preacher-but-i-preach-i-m-not-a-buddhist-but-i-chant-i-m/) [Theaster Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theaster-gates/) > [I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of GOD. For my part I keep myself retired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/i-cannot-imagine-how-religious-persons-can-live-satisfied-without-the/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God. That means finding constant pleasure in His divine company,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/the-most-holy-and-necessary-practice-in-our-spiritual-life-is-the/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [The most holy and important practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God - that is, every moment to take great pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/the-most-holy-and-important-practice-in-the-spiritual-life-is-the/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [I have quitted all forms of devotion and set prayers but those to which my state obliges me. And I make it my business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/i-have-quitted-all-forms-of-devotion-and-set-prayers-but-those-to/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [We should fix ourselves firmly in the presence of God by conversing all the time with Him...we should feed our soul with a lofty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/we-should-fix-ourselves-firmly-in-the-presence-of-god-by-conversing/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of GOD, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/that-his-prayer-was-nothing-else-but-a-sense-of-the-presence-of-god/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [I drove away from my mind everything capable of spoiling the sense of the presence of God… I just make it my business to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/i-drove-away-from-my-mind-everything-capable-of-spoiling-the-sense-of/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [Please don't preach about things you know very well you won't live by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mudcat/please-don-t-preach-about-things-you-know-very-well-you-won-t-live-by/) [Mudcat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mudcat/) > [Any athlete can preach to this, that when things aren't going well, you tend to bring it home, and the people that take the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/any-athlete-can-preach-to-this-that-when-things-aren-t-going-well-you/) [Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/) > [If men come among you who do NOT preach all the counsel of God, who do NOT preach of Christ, sin, holiness, of ruin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/if-men-come-among-you-who-do-not-preach-all-the-counsel-of-god-who-do/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [“You can’t preach things like spirituality, yoga, or animal activism to someone who hasn’t had a decent meal in days...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-deepak-s-hiwale-aka-dr-dee/you-can-t-preach-things-like-spirituality-yoga-or-animal-activism-to/) [Dr. Deepak S. Hiwale aka 'Dr Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-deepak-s-hiwale-aka-dr-dee/) > [“When things fall apart, the broken pieces allow all sorts of things to enter, and one of them is the presence of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/when-things-fall-apart-the-broken-pieces-allow-all-sorts-of-things-to/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [Each day is a step we make towards eternity and we shall continue thus to step from day to day until we take the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mcauley/each-day-is-a-step-we-make-towards-eternity-and-we-shall-continue/) [Catherine McAuley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mcauley/) ## More by Brother Lawrence > [How happy we would be if we could find the treasure of which the Gospel speaks; all else would be as nothing. As it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/how-happy-we-would-be-if-we-could-find-the-treasure-of-which-the/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/it-is-enough-for-me-to-pick-up-but-a-straw-from-the-ground-for-the/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [Let us think often that our only business in this life is to please God. Perhaps all besides is but folly and vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/let-us-think-often-that-our-only-business-in-this-life-is-to-please/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [“Sometimes I consider myself there as a stone before a carver, whereof he is to make a statue; presenting myself thus before GOD, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/sometimes-i-consider-myself-there-as-a-stone-before-a-carver-whereof/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [“the whole substance of religion was faith, hope and charity;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/the-whole-substance-of-religion-was-faith-hope-and-charity/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/in-order-to-know-god-we-must-often-think-of-him-and-when-we-come-to/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [If we knew how much He loves us, we should be always ready to receive equally and with indifference from His hand the sweet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/if-we-knew-how-much-he-loves-us-we-should-be-always-ready-to-receive/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [Lord of all pots and pans and things make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/lord-of-all-pots-and-pans-and-things-make-me-a-saint-by-getting-meals/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [“Let us seek Him often by faith. He is within us: seek Him not elsewhere. If”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/let-us-seek-him-often-by-faith-he-is-within-us-seek-him-not-elsewhere/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [Loving God and loving one's neighbor are really the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/loving-god-and-loving-one-s-neighbor-are-really-the-same-thing/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/there-is-no-sweeter-manner-of-living-in-the-world-than-continuous/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [That we need only to recognize GOD intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/that-we-need-only-to-recognize-god-intimately-present-with-us-to/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [“many do not advance in the Christian progress because they stick in penances, and particular exercises, while they neglect the love of GOD, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/many-do-not-advance-in-the-christian-progress-because-they-stick-in/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [To worship God is to admit that we are entirely contrary to Him, and that He is willing to make us like Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/to-worship-god-is-to-admit-that-we-are-entirely-contrary-to-him-and/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) > [“in difficulties we need only have recourse to JESUS CHRIST, and beg his grace; with that everything became easy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/in-difficulties-we-need-only-have-recourse-to-jesus-christ-and-beg/) [Brother Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) [Explore all 114 Brother Lawrence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/) ## More Gale quotes > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Katniss?" Peeta says. I meet his eyes, knowing my face must be some shade of green. He mouths the words. "How about that kiss?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/katniss-peeta-says-i-meet-his-eyes-knowing-my-face-must-be-some-shade/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Katniss…he's still trying to keep you alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/katniss-he-s-still-trying-to-keep-you-alive/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“Katniss blew it out, Peeta,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/katniss-blew-it-out-peeta/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The perennial gale of creative destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-a-schumpeter/the-perennial-gale-of-creative-destruction/) [Joseph A. Schumpeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-a-schumpeter/) > [“He says he’d like to see you.” I’m on a frosting sailboat, tossed around by blue-green waves, the deck shifting beneath my feet. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-says-he-d-like-to-see-you-i-m-on-a-frosting-sailboat-tossed-around/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“We got them all out. Except Enobaria. But since she’s from Two, we doubt she’s being held anyway. Peeta’s at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/we-got-them-all-out-except-enobaria-but-since-she-s-from-two-we-doubt/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I asked these Indians: "Do men ever make Chicha?" My question was met with gales of laughter. The women howled. Bent over in hilarity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-d-eames/i-asked-these-indians-do-men-ever-make-chicha-my-question-was-met/) [Alan D. 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The girl who was on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/no-one-will-forget-me-not-my-look-not-my-name-katniss-the-girl-who/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“He made a point of complimenting Lysistrara's brilliant handling of the rabies situation and thanking her for her generosity in the last minutes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-made-a-point-of-complimenting-lysistrara-s-brilliant-handling-of/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Hoist up sail while gale doth last, Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southwell/hoist-up-sail-while-gale-doth-last-tide-and-wind-stay-no-man-s/) [Robert Southwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southwell/) > [As a society, I think we express our cultural mores through our politics. We're trying constantly to figure out what's OK and what's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/as-a-society-i-think-we-express-our-cultural-mores-through-our/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) [Browse all 380 Gale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gale/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God… Those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward, even in sleep.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brother Lawrence" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above-all-other-things-the-practice/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gale" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above-all-other-things-the-practice/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/brother-lawrence-4215_gale_were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above_1975131.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Were I a preacher, I should preach above all other things, the practice of the Presence of God… Those who…” — Brother Lawrence", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brother Lawrence", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-lawrence/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Were I a preacher, I should...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above-all-other-things-the-practice/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-lawrence/were-i-a-preacher-i-should-preach-above-all-other-things-the-practice/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```