Committed to Prayer

Andrew Murray discovered the power of prayer. Born in South Africa in 1828, he was raised in a Christian home where his father regularly led his family in prayer and Bible reading. Developing a burden for the Gospel, Murray went on to pastor several churches, preaching sermons that generated attention for their depth and insights.

His greatest impact might have come through his many books. In With Christ in the School of Prayer, Murray focused on teaching believers how to pray, explaining why the prayers of so many Christians were weak and ineffective.

He observed that many believers are content just going through the motions. Just repeating familiar phrases. But the Bible taught a different kind of prayer. Prayer with power. That results in real change: “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.”

Murray discovered that effective prayers emerge from an intimate relationship with God: “Prayer [is] the quiet, persistent living of our life of desire and faith in the presence of our God.”

Prayer should focus on that relationship. “Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory.” We should marvel at the privileges He has given us. And to “expect great things!”

This relationship grows as we put aside our personal interests and surrender to Him. As we increase our desire for Him. Murray came to love these times with the Lord, writing, “I need to spend time with God even when I do not know what to pray.”

On this, the national day of prayer in the U.S., renew your commitment to prayer. Seek to grow closer to the Father. Out of that relationship, pray expecting results, with faith and confidence.