Ministry of Intercession

Andrew Murray wrote The Ministry of Intercession in 1898 as a systematic exploration of prayer as the church's essential work, not merely a spiritual discipline. Drawing from his decades as a Dutch Reformed minister in South Africa and his observations of declining spiritual vitality in established churches, Murray argued that intercession represents the highest calling of every believer and the primary means by which God accomplishes his purposes on earth.

Murray grounds his argument in the priesthood of all believers, contending that just as Christ's earthly ministry culminated in his ongoing intercession at the Father's right hand, so the church's mission finds its center in prayer rather than programs or preaching alone. He traces the biblical pattern from Abraham's intercession for Sodom through Moses' advocacy for Israel to Paul's constant prayers for the churches, demonstrating that God consistently works through human intercession rather than bypassing it. The book examines practical barriers to sustained prayer—doubt, selfishness, spiritual lethargy—while offering concrete guidance for developing both personal prayer disciplines and corporate prayer ministries. Murray particularly emphasizes prayer for missions, arguing that evangelistic efforts succeed or fail based on the prayer support they receive rather than the strategies they employ.

The work became influential across denominational lines because Murray addressed prayer as both mystical communion and practical necessity, appealing to evangelicals focused on missions and to liturgical traditions emphasizing the church's priestly role. His integration of Calvinist theology with emphasis on human responsibility in prayer offered a middle way between fatalistic approaches that discouraged prayer and Arminian perspectives that some found theologically problematic. Who should read this: Christians seeking to move beyond casual approaches to prayer toward viewing intercession as central ministry, particularly those in church leadership roles who need theological grounding for prioritizing prayer in congregational life. Those comfortable with only spontaneous prayer may find Murray's structured approach constraining.