📖 Overview
Waiting on God is a Christian devotional book written by Andrew Murray in 1896. The work consists of 31 daily meditations focused on the spiritual practice of waiting on God through prayer and contemplation.
Each chapter examines a different aspect of waiting on God through Biblical passages and Murray's interpretations. The text provides practical guidance for developing patience, trust, and spiritual discipline in one's relationship with God.
Murray structures the book as a progressive journey, building from basic concepts to more advanced spiritual practices. The format allows readers to engage with one meditation per day over the course of a month.
The book explores core themes of surrender, divine timing, and the transformation that occurs when believers learn to wait in God's presence. Through this lens, Murray presents waiting not as passive inaction, but as an active spiritual posture that strengthens faith.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a meditative daily devotional that focuses on patience and surrender in waiting for God's timing. The 31 short chapters allow for month-long reflection.
Readers appreciate:
- Short, focused chapters for daily reading
- Biblical references and examples
- Practical applications for modern life
- Clear writing style that avoids complex theology
Common criticisms:
- Repetitive themes and language
- Dated writing style from 1800s
- Some find the message overly passive
- Limited scope beyond the waiting theme
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (800+ ratings)
ChristianBook.com: 4.5/5 (150+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Murray's insights helped me reframe waiting as active trust rather than passive endurance." Another mentioned: "The Victorian prose style made it harder to connect with the message."
Readers recommend taking time to digest each chapter rather than reading straight through.
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A monk's letters and conversations reveal methods for maintaining constant communion with God through daily tasks and routines.
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer This text examines the path to deeper intimacy with God through surrender, faith, and spiritual disciplines.
The Spirit of Christ by Andrew Murray This work explores the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer life and spiritual transformation.
Interior Castle by Teresa of Ávila A spiritual guide maps the soul's journey toward union with God through seven stages of contemplative prayer.
Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds This manual presents prayer as the central pathway to spiritual power and divine connection.
The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer This text examines the path to deeper intimacy with God through surrender, faith, and spiritual disciplines.
The Spirit of Christ by Andrew Murray This work explores the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer life and spiritual transformation.
Interior Castle by Teresa of Ávila A spiritual guide maps the soul's journey toward union with God through seven stages of contemplative prayer.
Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds This manual presents prayer as the central pathway to spiritual power and divine connection.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Andrew Murray wrote this book in 1896 when he was 68 years old, during a period of forced rest due to a throat condition that temporarily silenced his preaching.
🕊️ The book consists of 31 daily meditations, intentionally structured to be read over the course of one month, making it one of the earliest modern daily devotional formats.
📖 Murray wrote the original text in Dutch (his native language) and personally translated it into English, which was unusual for religious writers of that era who typically relied on professional translators.
🌿 The concept of "waiting on God" that Murray explores was inspired by his experiences during the South African Revival of 1860, where he witnessed transformative spiritual experiences through patient prayer.
💫 The book has never gone out of print since its first publication and has been translated into more than 40 languages, influencing Christian meditation practices across multiple denominations for over 125 years.