Andrew Murray, pastor and author from South Africa, continues to inspire believers through the legacy of his books. These include With Christ in The School of Prayer. In his book, The Prayer Life, he offers this insight to help the believer overcome discouragement regarding his/her prayer life.

“Many a one has turned to his inner chamber, under bitter self accusation that he has prayed so little, and has resolved for the future to live in a different manner. Yet no blessing has come — there was not the strength to continue faithful, and the call to repentance had no power, because his eyes had not been fixed on the Lord Jesus, If he had only understood, he would have said: ‘Lord, thou seest how cold and dark my heart is; I know that I must pray, but I feel I cannot do so. I lack the urgency and desire to pray.’

“He did not know that at that moment the Lord Jesus in his tender love was looking down upon him and saying: ‘You cannot pray; you feel that all is cold and dark: why not give yourself over into my hands? Only believe that I am ready to help you in prayer; I long greatly to shed abroad my love in your heart, so that you, in the consciousness of weakness, may confidently rely on me to bestow the grace of prayer. Just as I will cleanse you from all other sins, so also will I deliver from the sin of prayerlessness — only do not seek the victory in your own strength. Bow before me as one who expects everything from his Saviour. Let your soul keep silence before me however sad you feel your state to be. Be assured of this – I will teach you how to pray.'” *

May we be encouraged my the grace of the Lord Jesus and the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:16,26,27).

*From chapter 3. Read the full book in PDF here: The Prayer Life.