such centered and dear Reality

i thought this girl laughing was much like the peace and joy from trusting. yes yes. plus she's adorably wonderful and that is a theme of who is featured here :).



Paul Miller, A Praying Life

The connection between peace and continuous praying goes back to Eden, where Adam and Eve were in unbroken fellowship with God and continuous prayer was normal. When they sought independence from God, they stoped walking with God in the cool of the day and their prayer link was broken. 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. Anxiey 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 the 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.

Instead of hunting for the perfect spiritual state to lift you above the chaos, you come to him in the chaos. As you heart or circumstances generate problems, keep generating prayer. You will find that the chaos lessens.

If we pray, we will experience a peace that passes all understanding. You watch God weave his patterns in the story of his life. Instead of trying to be out front, designing your life, you realize you are inside God’s drama. As you wait, you begin to see him work and your life begins to sparkle with wonder. You are learning to trust again.