My initial thought in writing about Andrew Murray (1827-1917) was to acknowledge that I do not belong in his same league. He was a spiritual giant in the faith. Yet when I read the story of Andrew’s engagement, I relax. This is more like it, someone with whom I can identify. Andrew at age 27 was already a capable, confident minister. “Never fear” was his motto. He was sent by the British government to South Africa on a diplomatic assignment and stayed with the Rutherford family in their home. Andrew was attracted to 20-year-old Emma Rutherford, a capable woman in her own right. Andrew proposed prior to his departure. His approach was businesslike and his offer poorly timed. Emma was in the middle of helping with a child’s birthday party. She was stunned and rendered speechless by the proposal since they had known each other less than a month. She wrote the next day, flatly refusing his offer and declining further contact. She expressed in a letter to her sister, “It pains me that one of no ordinary mental capacity and vigor of piety should be so totally devoid of proper feelings.” Andrew sent an apology to Emma and left the door open to further contact. After a flurry of letters, Emma reversed course and accepted his marriage proposal, with the proviso that they spend more time together. They were married in 1865 and flourished as a couple for 48 years. Andrew credited his blunders as an event which jump-started his deeper walk with Christ. He served as a South African pastor and a prodigious author. Today’s prayer is taken from his book, With Christ in the School of Prayer:
Andrew Murray
O Lord Jesus. Teach me to understand and believe what You have promised me. It is not hidden from You, O my Lord, with what reasonings my heart seeks to satisfy itself, when no answer comes. There is the thought that my prayer is not in harmony with the Father’s secret counsel; that there is perhaps something better You would give me; or that prayer as fellowship with God is blessing enough without an answer…. You did say so plainly that prayer may and must expect an answer. You assure us that this is the fellowship of a child with the Father: the child asks and the Father gives. Blessed Lord, your words are faithful and true. It must be, because I pray amiss, that my experience of prayer is not clearer. It must be, because I live too little in the Spirit…Lord, teach me to pray. Teach me to pray in faith. Everyone that asks receives. Amen.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.