Tuesday, February 1, 2011

prayer.

I've been reading the book A Praying Life.  It's an inspiration.  I would recommend picking it up and giving it a read.  Now, I'm only on Chapter 8, but still.  It's great.  The author, Paul Miller, is exploring the link between missed prayer opportunities and anxiety.  I really enjoyed this passage.


Instead of trying to suppress anxiety, manage it, or smother it with pleasure, we can turn our anxiety toward God.  When we do that, we'll discover that we've slipped into continuous praying...
What does an unused prayer link look like?  Anxiety.  Instead of connecting with God, our spirits fly around like severed power lines destroying everything they touch.  Anxiety wants to be God but lacks God's wisdom, power, or knowledge.  A godlike stance without godlike character and ability is pure tension.  Because anxiety is self on its own, it tries to get control.  It is unable to relax in the face of chaos.  Once one problem is solved, the next in line steps up.  The new one looms so large, we forget the last deliverance.  


What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!  This is why the peace of God transcends understanding.  How can we have peace in the face of chaos?  Prayer.