Andrew Murray (1828-1917) was born in South Africa to missionary parents. Educated in Scotland, he returned to South Africa as a pastor and teacher. He was a prolific writer having authored over 240 books and was instrumental in the South African Revival of 1860. Below are just a few examples of his wisdom and evidence of his passionate faith.
“God has no pleasure in afflicting us, but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.”
“One great power of sin is that it blinds men so that they do not recognize its true character.”
“Christ will always accept the faith the puts its trust in Him.”
“Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.”
“The greatest test of whether the holiness we profess to seek or to attain is truth and life will be whether it produces an increasing humility in us. In man, humility is the one thing needed to allow God’s holiness to dwell in him and shine through him. The chief mark of counterfeit holiness is lack of humility. The holiest will be the humblest.”
“Men ought to seek with their whole hearts to be filled with the Spirit of God. Without being filled with the Spirit, it is utterly impossible that an individual Christian or a church can ever live or work as God desires.”
“Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part.”
“Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him; it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts.”
“Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart-so will you be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”
“The coming revival must begin with a great revival of prayer. It is in the closet, with the door shut, that the sound of abundance of rain will first be heard. An increase of secret prayer with ministers will be the sure harbinger of blessing.”
“Time spent in prayer will yield more than that given to work. Prayer alone gives work its worth and its success. Prayer opens the way for God Himself to do His work in us and through us. Let our chief work as God’s messengers be intercession; in it we secure the presence and power of God to go with us.”
“A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and life.”
“The enemy uses all his power to lead the Christian, and above all the minister, to neglect prayer. He knows that however admirable the sermon may be, however attractive the service, however faithful the pastoral visitation, none of these things can damage him or his kingdom if prayer is neglected.”
“We have within us a self that has its poison from Satan–from hell–and yet we cherish and nourish it. What do we not do to please self and nourish self–and we make the devil within us strong. … Look at your own life. What are the works of hell? They are chiefly these three: self-will, self-trust, and self-exaltation.”
“Do not confound work and fruit. There may be a good deal of work for Christ that is not the fruit of the heavenly Vine.”
“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.”
“May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.”
Original Content: Copyright © 2012 by Susan E. Johnson
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Revival begins with prayer. That should be circled and underlined and typed in bold italics.
So it does. See above–the text has been properly amended!
These are some tremendous quotes. The man is speaking the Word of God though in the words the Lord gave him. It’s almost like reading Scripture. Andrew Murray was without doubt a man committed and close to God. Thank you for the post. I feel blessed to have more “Bits Of.”
Also, these passages remain quite topical, especially in this time. The Lord has been leading me to various ministry sites, literature articles, and current Christian news. Many Christians are becoming very interested in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I think it is a combination of the times and the maturing of the Lord’s people. Many of us simply want more of God, whatever that may mean or entail.
“Men ought to seek with their whole hearts to be filled with the Spirit of God. Without being filled with the Spirit, it is utterly impossible that an individual Christian or a church can ever live or work as God desires.”
I think as Christians, we must be interested in the release of the power of the Holy Spirit. We have largely been living with our eternity “secure” but without any real power to effect change in our lives or in our culture. I too, am finding more and more Christians who are hungry for God and for living a life that makes of difference. We are tiring of pablum and wanting the “meat” of the Word. Only that will satisfy the hunger in our hearts.
I am always so encouraged to read what these “church fathers” have written. It reminds me of how timeless God’s truth is, and how applicable it is no matter what century it was spoken in. I am so glad that you find these “Bits Of” encouraging as well. Thank you, R.J.