Amy Carmichael Quotes & Sayings

We have one crystal clear reason apart from the blessed happiness of this way of life. It is this: prayer is the core of our day. Take prayer out, and the day would collapse, would be pithless, a straw blown in the wind. But how can you pray
really pray, I mean
with one against who you have a grudge or whom you have been discussing critically with another? Try it. You will find it cannot be done. — Amy Carmichael

Praise Him who went before to search out a Resting-place. May it be a place of victory too, for His own glory's sake. — Amy Carmichael

Give me the Love that leads the way The Faith that nothing can dismay The Hope no disappointments tire The Passion that'll burn like fire Let me not sink to be a clod Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God — Amy Carmichael

And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
But, no, Lord, no, that never shall be, rather
I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine.
I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing,
I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire
See in my quiet places, wishes thronging
Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire. — Amy Carmichael

Manliness is not mere courage, it is the quality of soul which frankly accepts all conditions in human life, and makes it a point of honor not to be dismayed or wearied by them. — Amy Carmichael

Even though we must walk in the land of fear, there is no need to fear. The power of His resurrection comes before the fellowship of His sufferings. — Amy Carmichael

If you are ever inclined to pray for a missionary, do it at once, where ever you are. Perhaps he may be in great peril at that moment. — Amy Carmichael

Missionary life is simply a chance to die. — Amy Carmichael

Sometimes in Dohnavur we, who dearly love the little children about us (and the older ones too), have looked up from some engrossing work to see a child beside us, waiting quietly. And when, with a welcoming hand held out, to the Tamil "I have come," we have asked "For what?" thinking, perhaps, of something to be confessed, or wanted, the answer has come back, "Just to love you." So do we come, Lord Jesus; we have no service to offer now; we do not come to ask for anything not even for guidance. We come just to love Thee. — Amy Carmichael

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

The only expenditure, and all its outworkings, for which God can be held to be responsible is that which He directs. — Amy Carmichael

It is great to be faced with the impossible, for nothing is impossible if one is meant to do it. Wisdom will be given, and strength. When the Lord leads, He always strengthens. — Amy Carmichael

O Thou who art my quietness, my deep repose,
My rest from strife of tongues, my holy hill,
Fair is Thy pavilion, where I hold me still.
Back let them fall from me, my clamorous foes,
Confusions multiplied;
From crowding things of sense I flee, and Thee I hide.
Until this tyranny be overpast,
Thy hand will hold me fast;
What though the tumult of the storm increase,
Grant to Thy servant strength, O Lord, and bless with peace. — Amy Carmichael

God Hold us to that which drew us first, when the Cross was the attraction, and we wanted nothing else. — Amy Carmichael

If my attitude be on of fear, not faith, about the one who has disappointed me; if I say "Just what I expected," if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary Love. — Amy Carmichael

Part of a soldier's duty is to fill gaps ... one must be willing to be nothing, as something. — Amy Carmichael

Satan is so much more in earnest than we are
he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost. — Amy Carmichael

Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step, by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories, by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment. — Amy Carmichael

The vows of God are on me. I may not stay to play with shadows or pluck earthly flowers till I my work have done and rendered up account. — Amy Carmichael

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

If Thy dear home be fuller, Lord, For that a little emptier. My house on earth, what rich rewards. That guerdon were. — Amy Carmichael

We have all eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them. — Amy Carmichael

One can't save and then pitchfork souls into heaven ... Souls are more or less securely fastened to bodies ... And as you can't get the souls out and deal with them separately, you have to take them both together. — Amy Carmichael

All life's training is just exactly what is needed for the true Life-work, still out of view but far away from none of us. Don't grudge me the learning of a new lesson. — Amy Carmichael

So whether our message is welcomed or not, the fact remains we must go to all; and the worse they are and the harder they are, the more evident is it that, wanted or not, it is needed by them. — Amy Carmichael

If our children were to grow up truthful they much be taught by those who had a regard for truth; and not just a casual regard, a delicate regard. On this point we were adamant. — Amy Carmichael

If you would live in victory ... you must refuse to be dominated by the seen and the felt. — Amy Carmichael

It is more important that you should know about the reverses than about the successes of the war. We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but we have only the few hours before sunset in which to win them. We are not winning them as we should, because the fact of the reverses is so little realized, and the needed reinforcements are not forthcoming, as they would be in the position were thoroughly understood ... So we have tried to tell you the truth the uninteresting, unromantic truth. — Amy Carmichael

There have been times of late when I have had to hold on to one text with all my might: "It is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful." Praise God, it does not say "sucessful. — Amy Carmichael

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

When an answer I did not expect comes to a prayer which I believed I truly meant, I shrink back from it; if the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden of my heart's choice, and I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

There are many rooms in the House of Pain. — Amy Carmichael

If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even of their little weaknesses; if I am careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities to smooth their way; if I make the sweet running of household wheels more difficult to accomplish, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

The best training is to learn to accept everything as it comes, as from Him whom our soul loves. The tests are always unexpected things, not great things that can be written up, but the common little rubs of life, silly little nothings, things you are ashamed of minding one scrap — Amy Carmichael

A voice said, "Climb." And he said, "How shall I climb?the mountains are so steep that I cannot climb."
The voice said, "Climb or die."
He said, "But how?I see no way up those steep ascents. This that is asked is too hard for me."
The voice said, "Climb, or perish, soul and body of theemind and spirit of thee. There is no second chance for any son of man. Climb or die."
Then he remembered that he had read in the books of the bravest climbers on the hills of the earth that sometimes they were aware of the presence of a Companion on the mountains who was not one of the earthly party of climbers.
And he rememberd a word in the Book of Mountaineers ... it heartened him,for it told him that he was created to walk in precarious places, not on the easy levels of life. — Amy Carmichael

God bless you and utterly satisfy your heart ... with Himself. — Amy Carmichael

Does it not stir up our hearts, to go forth and help them, does it not make us long to leave our luxury, our exceeding abundant light, and go to them that sit in darkness? — Amy Carmichael

The Calvinists illustrate their belief by a single illuminating word, Cat-hold, and the Arminians by another, Monkey-hold. Could you find better illustrations? The cat takes up the kitten and carries it in its mouth; the kitten is passive, the cat does everything. But the little monkey holds on to its mother, and clings with might and main. Those who have watched the "cat-hold" in the house, and the "monkey-hold" out in the jungle, can appreciate the accuracy of these two illustrations. — Amy Carmichael

From all that dims Thy calvary O Lamb of God deliver me. — Amy Carmichael

What is the secret to great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts. — Amy Carmichael

If by doing some work which the undiscerning consider 'not spiritual work' I can best help others, and I inwardly rebel, thinking it is the spiritual for which I crave, when in truth it is the interesting and exciting, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

To me there is no more tragic sight than the average missionary. ... We have given so much, yet not the one thing that counts; we aspire so high, and fall so low; we suffer so much, but so seldom with Christ; we have done so much and so little will remain; we have known Christ in part, and have so effectively barricaded our hearts against His mighty love, which surely He must yearn to give His disciples above all people. — Amy Carmichael

We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don't wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has. — Amy Carmichael

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. How often I think of that 'ought.' No sugary sentiment there. Just the stern, glorious trumpet call, OUGHT. But can words tell the joy buried deep within? Mine cannot. It laughs at words. — Amy Carmichael

Ours should be the love that asks not 'how little?' but, 'how much?' The love that delights to pour out everything upon the feet of our Beloved. — Amy Carmichael

If I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary's love — Amy Carmichael

The saddest thing one meets is a nominal Christian. — Amy Carmichael

Let nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? — Amy Carmichael

Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,
Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,
What matters beating wind and tossing billow
If only we are in the boat with Thee?
Hold us quiet through the age-long minute
While Thou art silent and the wind is shrill :
Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, are in it;
Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will? — Amy Carmichael

Let us end on a very simple note: Let us listen to simple words; our Lord speak simply: "Trust Me, My child," He says. "Trust Me with a humbler heart and a fuller abandon to My will than ever thou didst before. Trust Me to pour My love through thee, as minute succeeds minute. And if thou shouldst be conscious of anything hindering that flow, do not hurt My love by going away from Me in discouragement, for nothing can hurt so much as that. Draw all the closer to Me; come, flee unto Me to hide thee, even from thyself. Tell Me about the trouble. Trust Me to turn My hand upon thee and thoroughly to remove the boulder that has choked they river-bed, and take away all the sand that has silted up the channel. I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. I will perfect that which concerneth thee. Fear thou not, O child of My love; fear not. — Amy Carmichael

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is. — Amy Carmichael

I think God wants to make me pure gold, so He is burning out the dross, teaching me the meaning of the fire, the burnt offering, the death of the self-part of me. — Amy Carmichael

Nothing is worth doing at all, nothing is worth writing, which does not do something which will last. — Amy Carmichael

Thank God for the battle verses in the Bible. We go into the unknown every day of our lives, and especially every Monday morning, for the week is sure to be a battlefield, outwardly and inwardly in the unseen life of the spirit, which is often by far the sternest battlefield for souls. Either way, the Lord your God goes before you, He shall fight for you! — Amy Carmichael

All the great temptations appear first in the region of the mind and can be fought and conquered there. We have been given the power to close the door of the mind. We can lose this power through disuse or increase it by use, by the daily discipline of the inner man in things which seem small and by reliance upon the word of the Spirit of truth. It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is as though He said, 'Learn to live in your will, not in your feelings.' — Amy Carmichael

In case any are puzzled by the different translations from which I draw strength and help and delight, it is like this: In studying any object with the microscope we use different lenses and turn the mirror in various ways; each change brings out some new wonder and beauty. So it is for those who are not Greek or Hebrew scholars, and who use the work of scholars to open the meaning of the exhaustible Word-the Bible is richer than any single version can fully show. — Amy Carmichael

When I consider the cross of Christ, how can anything that I do be called sacrifice? — Amy Carmichael

It is not the place where we are, or the work that we do or cannot do that matters, it is something else. It is the fire within that burns and shines, whatever be our circumstances. — Amy Carmichael

Love knows how to do without what it naturally wants. Love knows how to say, 'What does it matter.' — Amy Carmichael

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Saviour than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

But God is the God of the waves and the billows, and they are still His when they come over us; and again and again we have proved that the overwhelming thing does not overwhelm. Once more by His interposition deliverance came. We were cast down, but not destroyed. — Amy Carmichael

If you have never been hurt by a word from God, it is probably that you have never heard God speak. — Amy Carmichael

He said "Love ... as I have loved you." We cannot love too much. — Amy Carmichael

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice; if I give any room to my private likes and dislikes, then I know nothing of Calvary love. Then Jesus said unto his disciples, If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Please take all of me, Lord, that I may be wholly yours. Help me to hold loosely those things, even those blessings, that I have here, that I may be available for service to you at any time. — Amy Carmichael

God, harden me against myself! — Amy Carmichael

If I am afraid to speak the truth lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand", or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

I believe truly that Satan cannot endure it and so slips out of the room - more or less - when there is a true song. — Amy Carmichael

We knew our Father. There was no need for persuasion. Would not His Fatherliness be longing to give us our hearts' desire (if I may put it so)? How could we press Him as though He were not our own most loving Father? — Amy Carmichael

Now you are deep in what seems to me a peculiarly selfless service. The spiritual training of children must be that. You work for the years you will not see. You work for the Invisible all the time, but you work for the Eternal. So it is all worthwhile. — Amy Carmichael

He hath never failed thee yet.
Never will His love forget.
O fret not thyself nor let
Thy heart be troubled,
Neither let it be afraid. — Amy Carmichael

We say, then, to anyone who is under trial, give Him time to steep the soul in His eternal truth. Go into the open air, look up into the depths of the sky, or out upon the wideness of the sea, or on the strength of the hills that is His also; or, if bound in the body, go forth in the spirit; spirit is not bound. Give Him time and, as surely as dawn follows night, there will break upon the heart a sense of certainty that cannot be shaken. — Amy Carmichael

God forgive us! God arouse us! Shame us out of our callousness! Shame us out of our sin! — Amy Carmichael

I think of the love of God as a great river, pouring through us even as the waters pour through our ravine at floodtime. Nothing can keep this love from pouring through us, except of course our own blocking of the river. Do you sometimes feel that you have got to the end of your love for someone who refuses and repulses you? Such a thought is folly, for one cannot come to the end of what one has not got. We have no store of love at all. We are not jugs, we are riverbeds. — Amy Carmichael

Every work undertaken in obedienced to a divine command, whether the work be that form of conflict with the powers of darkness that we call prayer, or whether it be the action that follows, leads sooner or later to a new demand on personal devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ. — Amy Carmichael

Have you given your child unreservedly to the Lord for whatever He will? ... O may He strengthen you to say YES to Him if He asks something which costs. — Amy Carmichael

For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted. — Amy Carmichael

Our loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than the thought can imagine - so near that a whisper can reach Him. — Amy Carmichael

Our prayers for the evangelization of the world are but a bitter irony so long as we only give of our superfluity and draw back before the sacrifice of ourselves. — Amy Carmichael

It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates — Amy Carmichael

There are times when nothing holds the heart but a long, long look at Calvary. How very small anything that we are allowed to endure seems beside that Cross. — Amy Carmichael

The night I sailed for China, March 3, 1893, my life, on the human side, was broken, and it never was mended again. But He has been enough. — Amy Carmichael

Thank God, He does not measure grace out in teaspoons. — Amy Carmichael

All along, let us remember we are not asked to understand, but simply to obey ... — Amy Carmichael

As the needs of all living things must, we have proved that it is a very safe thing to trust in the Lord our God. — Amy Carmichael

Bare heights of loneliness ... a wilderness whose burning winds sweep over glowing sands, what are they to HIM? Even there He can refresh us, even there He can renew us. — Amy Carmichael

Continually we look at things about us without seeing more than a very little of what is there. — Amy Carmichael

Let us not be surprised when we have to face difficulties. When the wind blows hard on a tree, the roots stretch and grow the stronger, Let it be so with us. Let us not be weaklings, yielding to every wind that blows, but strong in spirit to resist. — Amy Carmichael

We must look upon the world, with all its delights and all its attractions, with suspicion and reserve. We who love our Lord and whose affections are set on Heavenly things voluntarily and gladly lay aside the things that charm and ravish the world, that our hearts may be ravished with the things of Heaven; that our whole being may be poured forth in constant and unreserved devotion in the service of the Lord who died to save us. — Amy Carmichael

It is a solemn thing to find oneself drawn out in prayer which knows no relief till the soul it is burdened with is born. It is no less solemn afterwards, until Christ is formed in them. — Amy Carmichael

Love accepts the trying things of life without asking for explanations. It trusts and is at rest. — Amy Carmichael

The mere telling of how a need was met is often like telling of a need, which is asking crookedly instead of straight out. But this much I will say
with every fresh need has come a fresh supply. — Amy Carmichael

Soldiers may be wounded in battle and sent to a hospital. A hospital isn't a shelf. It's a place of repair. And a soldier in the spiritual army is never off his battlefield. He is only removed to another part of the battlefield when a wound interrupts what he was meant to do, and sets him doing something else. — Amy Carmichael

O Love of God, do this for me: Maintain a constant victory. — Amy Carmichael

If I fear to hold another to the highest goal because it is so much easier to avoid doing so, then I know nothing of Calvary love. — Amy Carmichael

Oh, will you pray? Stop now and pray, lest desire turn to feeling and feeling evaporate. — Amy Carmichael

A cup brimful of sweetness cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, no matter how suddenly jarred. — Amy Carmichael

Strength of my heart, I need not fail,
Not mind to fear but to obey,
With such a Leader, who could quail?
Thou art as Thou wert yesterday.
Strength of my heart, I rest in Thee,
Fulfil Thy purposes through me. — Amy Carmichael

One must as willingly be nothing, as something. — Amy Carmichael

Can we accept the unexplained, the loss,
The crushing agony, and hold us still.
And nowhere is that clearer vision given
Which pierces a bewildering providence,
And opens windows upon highest heaven,
But where we see Suffering Omnipotence. — Amy Carmichael