“Living a Prayerful Life”, Andrew Murray
Photo courtesy of Bethany House
“Satan endeavours to become the master of the Christian prayer time.”
That statement is written on the third last page of this marvellous book but is a great reminder of where the battle for our souls is played out. The enemy knows we are ineffective against him if we aren’t praying.
Andrew Murray in this relatively short book emphases the power of prayer by exploring Jesus’ commitment to it. His ministry wouldn’t have been as effective if it weren’t for His prayer life. I know I often forget this.
Murray regards prayerlessness as the scourge of the christian community: we just don’t pray enough. This book needs to be read diligently as Murray explores many new ideas. It isn’t a “To Do guide” only featuring the one small chapter on how to spend one’s prayer time but rather by focusing on the Word, the lives of Jesus, Paul and some more modern day Christian heroes like George Mueller and Hudson Taylor, encourages us to greater commitment to prayer.
It got me praying more which is the best recommendation I can make about a book on prayer.
Praying lots these days. Lost my 5 year old Golden Retriever Hero quite suddenly and unexpectedly. A lot of my prayers these days are even just repeating His powerful name. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Help me Jesus. My dog was like a child for me being motherless and therefore that alone should describe my grief. If I didn’t have faith in God and feel Him near even when I pray a short prayer of repeating His name alone…I would be in a pit of despair and in the enemy’s control but all things are possible, even the most impossible that we feel we could never survive…with God.
Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress.
My sight is blurred because of my tears…
I am dying from grief…
But I am trusting you, O Lord,
Saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands.
Psalm 31: 9, 10, 14-15
Oh, Joanne. I’m so sorry. Praying that you’ll experience Jesus’ loving embrace. He grieves with you.