Edward McKendree Bounds (1835-1913) was a Methodist minister and devotional writer. Addressed primarily to preachers and pastors, 'Power Through Prayer' has also been popular among lay people for over a century. The book expounds the idea that prayer is the life-giving force behind the ministry. He states that believers depend on God just as much as he depends on them, and that, although the relationship is simple, it requires a lot of communication. Bounds discusses the essentiality of prayer, tendencies to be avoided, the primacy of the heart over the head, and gives examples of praying men from the scriptures.
E.M. Bounds examines the importance of prayer in a Christian's life with this seminal book that is still studied widely today. Bounds, a former Army chaplain, directed his text at church leaders, but his musings can be useful for all Christians looking to revitalize their prayer life.
He firmly believed that devoted prayer was at the root of a successful church ministry; he himself set aside three hours for prayer every morning. Power through Prayer is an inspiring text and the source of many often-quoted aphorisms, including the line: "The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men."
As a former Army chaplain, E.M. Bounds was no stranger to warfare when he wrote this book. He saw prayer as a powerful weapon that he used throughout his time at war and on the road as a traveling preacher. In this text, Bounds dives into the "why" of prayer-why you should intercede for your neighbor, why prayer should be prioritized in ministry, why Jesus himself prayed, and much more. His compelling words continue to inspire Christians today to spend more time in communion with God.
In The Weapon of Prayer??, E.M. Bounds explains why prayer is the most powerful way to connect with God and why it should take priority above all other things in a believers life. Through prayer we can find strength, comfort, and wisdom from Him. Bounds words are still as meaningful today as they were in the 19th and early 20th century, reminding readers that? ?prayer does make a difference in their relationship with God.
E.M. Bounds was truly a man of prayer. His wisdom on prayer was not just academic, but a life spent full of prayer. His daily 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. devotional life was well-known and strengthened his relationship with God. His writings have influenced generations, and few have written as powerful and Bible-centered books on prayer.
E.M. Bounds is the author of many books on prayer including Prayer and Praying Men, The Necessity of Prayer, and The Purpose of Prayer.
Jesus said, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do."
"That," says E. M. Bounds, "is the Divine declaration, and it opens a vista of infinite resources and possibility."
Throughout his ministry, Bounds rose early every morning to pray for three hours. Out of this deep prayer experience, he could say, "Without prayer, the Christian life, robbed of its sweetness and beauty, becomes cold and formal, and dead; but in the secret place where God talks with His own, the Christian life grows into such a testimony of Divine power that all men will feel its influence and be touched by the warmth of its love...That, surely is the purpose of all real prayer and the end of all true service."
"Ask and it shall be given you."-Matthew 7:7
Great men of God in Scripture, such as Paul, Ezra, Moses and Daniel, are the focus as E.M. Bounds demonstrates powerful lessons on the need for effective prayer. God's desire is for men to be on their knees in full subjection to Him. No stranger to the life lived in prayer, E.M. Bounds was devoted to praying 3 hours a day beginning at 4 a.m., and his books are a wonderful example of the power of a praying man.
Edward M. Bounds’ practice of prayer and writings upon the topic are like a hearty furnace, stoked and glowing brightly red. Now, others may gather around the luminance of that fire and warm themselves in the glow. The warmth which has spread to millions continues to produce heat and volcanic change.
In a penetrating and forthright style, Edward M. Bounds offers stimulating advice to Christian servants. “The preaching that kills may have insight and grasp of principles, may be scholarly and critical in taste, may have every minutia of the derivation and grammar of the letter, may be able to trim the letter into its perfect pattern, and illume it as Plato and Cicero may be illumined, may study it as a lawyer studies his text-books to form his brief or to defend his case, and yet be like a frost, a killing frost...Preaching which kills is prayerless preaching. Without prayer the preacher creates death, and not life.” This audio book nourishes the heart and mind with Bounds’ message about the role of prayer in the life of the Christian servant.
