Edward McKendree Bounds (August 15,
1835 – August 24, 1913) prominently known as E.M. Bounds, was an American author,
attorney, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South clergy.
He is known for writing 11 books, nine of which focused
on the subject of prayer. Only two of Bounds' books were published before
he died.
After his death, Rev. Claudius (Claude) Lysias Chilton, Jr., grandson
of William Parish Chilton and admirer of Bounds, worked on preserving
and preparing Bounds' collection of manuscripts for publication. By 1921, more
editorial work was being done by Rev. Homer W. Hodge.
E. M. Bounds was a saint of God known for his
extraordinary prayer life. A lawyer during the Civil War, Bounds spent an
average of four hours in prayer every morning.
Immediately following prayer, he
would write his most intimate prayer experiences. Like other spiritual leaders
of his generation, Bunds discovered the tremendous value of applying God’s Word
in his prayers.
"Edward McKendree Bounds did not merely pray well
that he might write well about prayer. He prayed because the needs of the world
were upon him. He prayed, for long years, upon subjects which the easy-going
Christian rarely gives a thought, and for objects which men of less thought and
faith are always ready to call impossible. From his solitary prayer-vigils,
year by year, there arose teaching equaled by few men in modern Christian
history. He wrote transcendently about prayer, because he was himself,
transcendent in its practice.
"As breathing is a physical reality to us so prayer
was a reality for Bounds. He took the command, 'Pray without ceasing' almost as
literally as animate nature takes the law of the reflex nervous system, which
controls our breathing."
Claude Chilton, Jr., in the Foreword to Necessity of
Prayer .
E. M. Bounds once testified,
“The Word of God is the fulcrum upon which the lever of
prayer is placed, and by which things are mightily moved. God has committed
Himself, his purpose, and his promise to prayer. His Word becomes the basis,
the inspiration of our praying, and there are circumstances under which by
importunate prayer, we may obtain an… enlargement of his promises.”
E. M. Bounds, The Possibilities of Prayer
This message is part of
the Prayer Monday series.
