Murray Meditations: The Source of Power

Let us take time not only to meditate, but to pray, to wait at the foot of the throne and be trained to the work of intercession. A. Murray

Do you ever feel inadequate when it comes to prayer? As I dig deeper into the topic, I feel a growing sense of my shortcomings. God is calling me to more than I've ever known or experienced.

Prayer in my own strength has been weak and often ineffectual. In my own strength, I easily lose my focus and wander off to make another cup of tea. My goals are often selfishly motivated. And worst of all, many times I simply forget to pray. My justification for an undisciplined prayer life was Paul's words "pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17).With this exhortation in mind, I could offer up quick popcorn petitions as my mainstay style of prayer. I was satisfied with my obedience.

But the prayer life that He longs for me to know is a life that is only given through the power of the Spirit. As I spend time with Him, He gives me a taste of what it means to drink of His living water.  I'm not talking about little sips from a dainty cup. I'm talking large gulps from a fountain, drinking long and deep until full and overflowing.

It isn't always easy, but the more I engage in the discipline of prolonged, focused prayer, the more I experience the Spirit filling and empowering my prayer life. Murray assures me that God is continuing His work in my life, even when I feel that my efforts are "stammerings and fears".  Press on, even when you don't feel like it and even when you feel inadequate.


He teaches by giving not only thoughts of what to ask or how to ask, but by breathing within us the very spirit of prayer, by living within us as the great Intercessor. A. Murray

Father, breathe in me the spirit of prayer. Give me Your thoughts, Your word and Your holy life filling me and flowing out of me to those that are in need. It is only as I surrender to Your power in my life that I am able to pray for others with persistence. Lord, keep me faithful to pray for those around me and for Your work here on earth.

Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.