Customer Reviews

With Christ in the School of Prayer

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The contents of this book are the experiences of a Christian, for sure, whose faith in God was tried. The examples are clear, the results of real. Anyone who desires to hear from God and receive "the desires of their heart" should carefully read this book. Of all my books, this one will never be loaned out, for it has many years of practical wisdom pertaining to "touching the hem of His garment". If you need a miracle in your life; If your prayer life needs a boost; If you need to know that God hears all your prayers, and is answering them; If you're a minister; If you're wandering aimlessly through life and need direction, then READ THIS BOOK. Andrew Murray wrote it 165 years ago, but it as relevant today as it was then, for the need to learn more about prayer is a timeless desire from all ages. In the back of this book, there is a section titled "George Mueller, and the Secret of His Power in Prayer." Read this book and your prayer life will never be idle again! Read this book and you'll never lack again to know God's will! Read this book and see God's mighty hand work in your life!

I can honestly say that this book was used by the Holy Spirit to powerfuly afect my prayer life. It turned praryer time into a tender and powerful time. I do not think that this book will have the same impact on everyone, but if you like old authors like I do then please read this book. It is written by a man that spent much time in the closet and out of the closet with the Lord.

This book was written many years ago and yet its message is still as valid and beautiful as it was long ago. Jesus' teachings on prayer are closely examined and the life of a praying man or woman is shown for the powerful thing it really is! I'm 29 years old and have loved this book since age 14!

I am a pastor, and I have been using this book in my devotional life. I began on the first day of August, and have read one chapter per day. The reading for each day is short enough to not be a burden, but meaty enough to give me plenty to think about. Each chapter ends with a prayer which I have made my own. This book really is "a school" of prayer: I'm now on day 19, and I can truly say that I have learned lots and my prayer life has deepened. Even as a pastor with seminary training, I have been challenged by this book. It is a classic that speaks on many levels, and I imagine that I will take this journey again in subsequent years. I heartily recommend this book to anyone, clergy or lay, who wants a stronger prayer life.

This book, With Christ in the School of Prayer, by the Reformed Dutch pastor Andrew Murray, is a collection of Biblical instructions on intercessory prayer. Although the book was copyrighted in 1981, the foreword (by Dick Eastman) says it was "first written more than a century ago." Since Murray wrote the book so long ago it is understandable that he would use the King James Version of the Bible for his scriptural quotes. I found the archaic language of the KJV made it difficult for me to follow much of the discussion. Words such as; importunity (chapter 8), howbeit (chapter 13), availeth (chapter 23) are no longer a part of our conventional vocabulary. I found it was equally distracting when the same language was carried in the text by Murray, most frequently in the prayers at the close of each chapter, which seemed like an effort to make them sound more pious. In some places I felt that the texts Murray selected were used out of their proper context, and his "proof texting" came close to typology. Throughout the book Murray argues our need to learn to pray, and our teacher is Jesus, and we must continually ask for Jesus' help in our education, in the school of prayer. Murray's writing is very inspiring, and I found his advice very practical. I liked Murray's point that believers are called to a lifetime of intercessionary prayer. We are to draw down God's grace to others. We, as God's servants on earth, need to go to God in prayer and ask to other benefit from his grace. "In conformity to Jesus, the Great High Priest, they are to be the ministers and stewards of the grace of God" (page 225). If our lives are lived in faithful obedience to God's will, we can obtain his promises and use them successfully in our prayers for others. This book is a classic, and I highly recommend it.

Do not choose this edition! I am very familiar with this title, and have passed it on to many. Now, looking for an inexpensive copy for a group, I chose this publication of the title. Murray is from the late 19th C, as is his language, so although it is a bit more of a struggle for today's reader's, his concepts are clearly presented. However, this version has not been edited! Entire sentences are missing, there are commas where none belong, and many absent where there should be. This makes Murray's ideas even more difficult to understand. I instead chose the title from another publisher and paid a few more dollars. The other publication, by Whitaker House, ISBN 9780883681060, is by far superior to this very poor edition.

I purchased the paperback ed. 1981, 238 pages. This is an exceptional book. Each of the 31 chapters breaks down what prayer is and why we are to pray and then a well thought out prayer is offered, which I might add spoke to what I was thinking in each chapter. It is not a book to read about prayer, but, to be studied. I took a chapter a day, read it and pondered it throughout the day. The author breaks down prayer, its parts and explains through scripture why these parts are important. Chapters 20 and 21 brought everything together for me emphasising why our prayers have not been answered in the past and how to make changes for effective prayers. This is a must for anyone wishing to strengthen their prayer life and consequently their faith.

Second to the bible, this is my favorite book of all time. I believe it will open your eyes to what prayer and intimacy with God can and should actually be like (as well as how far we've fallen/ how distorted our view of prayer tends to be!). Other than the Word, there are few books (at least of those that are not so sophisticated as to be beyond comprehension) that I can read over and over and never fail to discover something new each time. But this one I have been reading for years, and it NEVER grows old.

The principles on this Murray book by Whitaker, I have used extensively!! Thank God that Whitaker House keeps printing books written by Andrew Murray! If it were not for Whitaker House publishing their books, we would not have Murray books to share with others (as well as study ourselves). All five of my Andrew Murray "Believer's Secret" books, published by Bethany House Publishers are out of print.

Charles Finney and Andrew Murray wrote the best books on the Holy Spirit, Prayer, Revival, and Holiness that I have ever read. You cannot go wrong buying any Murray books published by Whitaker House! So I say again, thank God for Whitaker House!

L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
Author: Prayer Steps to Serenity The Twelve Steps Journey: New Serenity Prayer Edition [Paperback]

"With Christ in the School of Prayer ..." is a wonderful classic to read and enjoy.

Don't let the second part of the title put you off ... this is a book for everyone. Really.