In the complete writings of “Murray On Prayer,” published by Whitaker House, we read this about the author. Andrew Murray (1828-1917) lived and ministered as both a pastor and author from the towns and villages of South Africa. His earliest writings were written to provide nurture and guidance for Christians of all ages and were actually an extension of his pastoral work. He wrote to give daily practical help to many of the people in his congregation who lived out in the farming communities and could only come into town for church services on rare occasions. Most of Murray’s writings revolved around prayer and he adopted the practice of placing many of his more devotional books into thirty-one separate readings to correspond with the days of the month.
Would you believe that, finally, at the age of 78, Murray resigned from the pastorate and devoted the last eleven years of his life to his manuscripts, writing profusely, moving from one book to the next with an intensity of purpose and a zeal that few men of God have ever equaled? He often said of himself, rather humorously, that he was like a hen about to hatch an egg; he was restless and unhappy until he got the burden of the message off his mind! It was during these later years of his life that these manuscripts were compiled into books that have been influential in the lives of believers the world over for more than eighty years!
The Scriptures have always encouraged me during tough times (I Peter 5:10; Psalm 34:19; Isaiah 24:15; 61:10) but also the writings of great men of God. Years ago I came across an article on how Andrew Murray, going through a very painful experience in his life, worked through trials. It has been a real blessing to me and I trust it will be an encouragement to you also. Maybe you should clip and place it in the flyleaf of your Bible.
“First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest. Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child. Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow. Last, in His good time He can bring me out again–how and when He knows. Let me say I am here….by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time!”