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Teach Me to Pray
Contemporary Christians know that God answers prayer and that praying is important, but most also wish their prayer life could be more effective. Murray instructs readers from Scripture and the life of Jesus that prayer is the root and strength of all work for God, that God intends to answer every prayer, and that prayer is meant to be a way of life. These thirtyone classic meditations, written in 1885, have been edited and clarified for new readers.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
79 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Murray
1,199 books548 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.
He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.
Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.
He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 1, 2021
Creo que tiene información muy útil y lleva a esta reflexión de la importancia y poder de la oración e intersesion como principio bíblico. Realmente lo recomiendo y lo disfruté !
August 18, 2010
The Holy Spirit and Prayer
In holy awe I bow before you, the triune God. Again I have seen how the mystery of prayer is the mystery of the holy Trinity. ( the Godhead ) I adore the Father who ever hears, the Son who ever lives to pray, and the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, to lift us up in that ever-blessed, never-ceasing place of prayer. I bow , my God, in adoring worship before this infinite condescension that through the Holy Spirit takes us into the divine Life and fellowship of love.
Blessed Lord Jesus, teach me to understand that it is the indwelling Spirit flowing from you and uniting to you who is the Spirit of prayer. Teach me what it is as an empty, wholly consecrated vessel, to yield myself to Him as my life. Teach me to honor and to trust Him as a living person to lead my life and my prayers. Teach me to wait in holy silence in prayer and give Him place to breathe within me His unutterable intercession. Teach me that through Him it is possible to pray without ceasing - to pray without failing - because He makes me a partaker of the never-ceasing and never-failing intercession in which you, the Son, appear before the Father. Lord, fulfill in me your promise " In that day you will ask in my name, I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. "
Amen.
Andrew Murray
In holy awe I bow before you, the triune God. Again I have seen how the mystery of prayer is the mystery of the holy Trinity. ( the Godhead ) I adore the Father who ever hears, the Son who ever lives to pray, and the Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Father and the Son, to lift us up in that ever-blessed, never-ceasing place of prayer. I bow , my God, in adoring worship before this infinite condescension that through the Holy Spirit takes us into the divine Life and fellowship of love.
Blessed Lord Jesus, teach me to understand that it is the indwelling Spirit flowing from you and uniting to you who is the Spirit of prayer. Teach me what it is as an empty, wholly consecrated vessel, to yield myself to Him as my life. Teach me to honor and to trust Him as a living person to lead my life and my prayers. Teach me to wait in holy silence in prayer and give Him place to breathe within me His unutterable intercession. Teach me that through Him it is possible to pray without ceasing - to pray without failing - because He makes me a partaker of the never-ceasing and never-failing intercession in which you, the Son, appear before the Father. Lord, fulfill in me your promise " In that day you will ask in my name, I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. "
Amen.
Andrew Murray
December 13, 2018
Wonder why people have so much confusion with regard to the Bible? Here is a part of that problem. People not accurately quoting the Bible. While this book does have some helpful information in it, it also has inaccurate, misleading information. I have written in many the pages of this book the correct information from the Bible, not my assumptions or guesses, but scripture. To me, if one claims to be a teacher of the Bible, he should be more accurate on his statements to reflect the truth of scripture.
A few examples:
On page 305, Murray states: “Your will be done in heaven as on earth.” This is not what scripture states. Scripture clearly states: ESV: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” And in KJV: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” Why would His will be done in heaven as on earth?
On page 301, author states: “It is because of a lack of prayer that the working of the Spirit is so weak.” God, the Spirit, is never weak, ever. 1Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for your, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ESV. That weakness is ours, not God’s.
Page 295, author has: “God’s intense longing to bless seems to be graciously limited by His dependence on the intercession that rises from the earth.” God having dependence?? God limited ??? How did he arrive at that, where did he get that from? All things are possible with God – Matthew 19:26.
Page 249, author states: “All that He asks is that we prayerfully stay in close fellowship with Him every day.” All? This is not all we are to do, where in scripture does it state this is “all” I want Christians to do?
There are more things in this book that are disappointing because it is misleading in many places as other reviewers have noted; I will not repeat those here but you can find them in the reviews section. For those just beginning their journey with our Lord to read this book, they would be misguided/misinformed. I’m glad I read it completely before deciding if it could be given as gifts. To me, this is unacceptable teaching. And there are so many authors doing that these days – misinforming. I wish anyone who wishes to teach scripture to do just that, teach the truth, and that they would keep in mind the warning in Revelations, 22:18-19 ESV “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
A few examples:
On page 305, Murray states: “Your will be done in heaven as on earth.” This is not what scripture states. Scripture clearly states: ESV: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” And in KJV: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” Why would His will be done in heaven as on earth?
On page 301, author states: “It is because of a lack of prayer that the working of the Spirit is so weak.” God, the Spirit, is never weak, ever. 1Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for your, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ESV. That weakness is ours, not God’s.
Page 295, author has: “God’s intense longing to bless seems to be graciously limited by His dependence on the intercession that rises from the earth.” God having dependence?? God limited ??? How did he arrive at that, where did he get that from? All things are possible with God – Matthew 19:26.
Page 249, author states: “All that He asks is that we prayerfully stay in close fellowship with Him every day.” All? This is not all we are to do, where in scripture does it state this is “all” I want Christians to do?
There are more things in this book that are disappointing because it is misleading in many places as other reviewers have noted; I will not repeat those here but you can find them in the reviews section. For those just beginning their journey with our Lord to read this book, they would be misguided/misinformed. I’m glad I read it completely before deciding if it could be given as gifts. To me, this is unacceptable teaching. And there are so many authors doing that these days – misinforming. I wish anyone who wishes to teach scripture to do just that, teach the truth, and that they would keep in mind the warning in Revelations, 22:18-19 ESV “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”
May 25, 2024
“What is the best and most glorious thing that a man needs every day and can do every day? Nothing less than to seek, to know, to love, and to praise God himself.”
I read this book in both a small book/pamphlet form and in a daily devotional form. I liked the daily devotional best because some of the things said needed to sit with me for a time. The daily entries were bite-sized so I could chew on them for a while. Some were profound, others felt redundant, but overall they were good things to think about in regard to prayer. The negative about the daily devotional is I felt like I lost context so some things seemed a bit off. Generally, Murray focuses on seeking God and spending time with him, but there were some days that focused on the persistence of prayer (which I agree with), but at times it came across like if you pray enough you’ll get what you want or if you’re obedient you’ll get what you pray for. So, I think dividing what he had originally written sometimes kept the full truth from being clearly understood.
“May God give us grace to struggle in prayer until we have all victory.”
I read this book in both a small book/pamphlet form and in a daily devotional form. I liked the daily devotional best because some of the things said needed to sit with me for a time. The daily entries were bite-sized so I could chew on them for a while. Some were profound, others felt redundant, but overall they were good things to think about in regard to prayer. The negative about the daily devotional is I felt like I lost context so some things seemed a bit off. Generally, Murray focuses on seeking God and spending time with him, but there were some days that focused on the persistence of prayer (which I agree with), but at times it came across like if you pray enough you’ll get what you want or if you’re obedient you’ll get what you pray for. So, I think dividing what he had originally written sometimes kept the full truth from being clearly understood.
“May God give us grace to struggle in prayer until we have all victory.”
February 18, 2020
Started by couldn't finish. I was deeply saddened by the "out of Biblical context" this book was teaching. It appeared that some general concepts (that were good) were taken to conclusions that were not good or Biblical truth. For example in Matthew, Jesus talks about having a private place to pray; however, this does not mean that we HAVE to have a private place to pray in order to learn how to pray "correctly." A quotation from chapter 3, "Everyone must have some solitary spot where he can be alone with God." I kept reading. "God hides himself from the carnal eye." I just had to stop reading. God wants ALL people to know Him and understand the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), why on earth would He hide Himself? I just can't support the teaching here.
May 14, 2023
Andrew Murray's devotionals have been some of the most eye opening ones I've read! This one in particular is full of insights into the heart of Jesus' relationship to His Father, in regards to prayer. So much sound biblical meat to chew on! He has a way of evoking inspiration in his readers as well.
May 22, 2019
Good food for thought. I had some quibbles with some of the theology, but I appreciated the format: 31 short chapters, each followed by a prayer.
June 8, 2022
Another book by the author in the school of prayer genre. The language was simple and made as half devotional, means for us to do much practice than just reading.
December 24, 2023
best book on prayer
July 24, 2024
Andrew Murrays example of a life of prayer and faith in God is inspiring.
March 10, 2012
Andrew Murray's book 'teach me to pray' is a beautifully written work on prayer and worship that is well worth reading. To get a sense of his writing style, I'll post some excerpts below.
"It is only Christ who opens the way and teaches the worship in Spirit".
"But Jesus came to give the Spirit; He has given Him to us. Let the disposition in which we set ourselves to pray be what Christ's words have taught us. Let there be the deep confession of our inability to bring God the worship that is pleasing to Him".
"We must ask our Lord Jesus to take us; we must be taught of Him how to worship in spirit and truth".
"Teach me to draw near to God in prayer under the deep impression of my ignorance and my having nothing inmyself to offer Him, and at the same time oif the provision. Thous, my Savior, makest for the Spirit's breathing in my childlike stammerings."
Andrew Murray's writings definitely lead you in to a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Lord, as well as, improve your prayer life. Definitely worth reading.
"It is only Christ who opens the way and teaches the worship in Spirit".
"But Jesus came to give the Spirit; He has given Him to us. Let the disposition in which we set ourselves to pray be what Christ's words have taught us. Let there be the deep confession of our inability to bring God the worship that is pleasing to Him".
"We must ask our Lord Jesus to take us; we must be taught of Him how to worship in spirit and truth".
"Teach me to draw near to God in prayer under the deep impression of my ignorance and my having nothing inmyself to offer Him, and at the same time oif the provision. Thous, my Savior, makest for the Spirit's breathing in my childlike stammerings."
Andrew Murray's writings definitely lead you in to a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Lord, as well as, improve your prayer life. Definitely worth reading.
November 20, 2014
Andrew Murray's books on prayer are always great.
This is a series of individual page-length readings which start with a Bible verse to help illustrate the perspective on prayer that Murray wishes to elaborate on.
It's circa a devotional on prayer outlining the how, why, what and who of prayer. I particularly appreciated the series of readings on intercession and how prayer underpinned Jesus' communion with the Father.
A resource that is useful for everyone as it will help enhance your prayer life.
This is a series of individual page-length readings which start with a Bible verse to help illustrate the perspective on prayer that Murray wishes to elaborate on.
It's circa a devotional on prayer outlining the how, why, what and who of prayer. I particularly appreciated the series of readings on intercession and how prayer underpinned Jesus' communion with the Father.
A resource that is useful for everyone as it will help enhance your prayer life.
January 25, 2013
I read this daily, almost without fail. I repeat each year because there is always treasure to be gleaned. It either speaks to me in a new way, or I am refreshed with something I had known but forgotten. I began reading this the year it came out, 2004, and I find that I now have a greater understanding of the passages than I did then. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a deeper prayer life and to know God in a more personal way.
October 21, 2015
Teaches how to prayer in sure belief and promise from God of an answer.
I wanted to learned to prayer in a more meaningful way. The most most important thing that I learned was, in praying, to do the will of the Lord; and to do so with the intent to glorify his holy name. Sometimes, it is easy to forget to keep it simple. Let the Holy spirit work in your heart. pray increasingly. God is eager to answer his children's players.
I wanted to learned to prayer in a more meaningful way. The most most important thing that I learned was, in praying, to do the will of the Lord; and to do so with the intent to glorify his holy name. Sometimes, it is easy to forget to keep it simple. Let the Holy spirit work in your heart. pray increasingly. God is eager to answer his children's players.
May 11, 2010
this book came at the right time, that's why i would also give it such a high rating. for me it was a time of searching, of proving foundations.
simple words and ideas. back to the basics. reminders.
simple words and ideas. back to the basics. reminders.
October 24, 2009
My evening devotional which was so fabulous I am choosing to read through it again.
June 5, 2012
Some parts of this book are really deep, it was a good one to do with a study group with lots of discussion.
Read
October 11, 2014An excellent book on prayer. I highly recommend it.
December 20, 2014
Wonderful devotional! One I will read over and over.
Read
April 6, 20154 copies
January 3, 2023
This book is awesome for people that want to dig deeper into prayers. It teaches you how to pray like Jesus.
April 14, 2024
This book was pretty good. I would approach it more as a devotional because it's set up like one page, one "topic," I guess you could say. I read two pages a day which was just a spread a day.
September 19, 2008
This is the one that changed my life in 2007. What more is there to say?
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews