Monday, March 30, 2015

E. M. Bouds - By Prayer Things Are Mightily Moved - Prayer Monday


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.

15 comments:

  1. Your words here, Joanna, remind me of the profundity of Mr. Bounds and how I need to read a book by him again. The men and women of years gone by wrote with such richness, with words given to them by God. I like to read those authors a lot.
    May your days in Ecuador be filled with the peace of God and the beauty of new ones coming to Jesus in your ministry.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Linda! I'm glad that you enjoyed the post and found it encouraging. It is true that there are many men and women of years gone by that can help us along our path to God.
      Thank you also for your blessings and may your life be blessed in Him also!

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  2. Truly inspirational post and quotes about and from a truly Godly man. May God bless you richly in your ministry. Linked up with you at Embracing His Will -- hope you'll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
    Laurie
    http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Laurie! Visited you in the Saved by Grace and was greatly blessed by it!

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  3. Mmmmm....what faithfulness in prayer. Honestly, I've not read his works, but after reading your post, I'm ready to run out and set my eyes on an E.M. Bounds book. His cling, that time in prayer, is amazing, it's strengthening, it's encouraging. Thanks, Joanna, for posting this. Visting today via #RaRaLinkUp.

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    1. Thank you, Kristi! I'm so glad that you were encouraged and motivated by the post. He truly is a great example for us all!

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  4. EM Bounds books have been some of my favorite on prayer. I love the way he shares the lessons he learned in prayer. So many things we need to heed and follow in practice and theory.

    Blessings,
    Dawn

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    1. He is an amazing example of the power of prayer for us all! Thank you for your visit and comment, Dawn!

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  5. I have never heard of this wise man. Thank you for introducing him to me. So many good thoughts to contemplate. I pray you have a blessed Easter!

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    1. Thank you for your visit and comment, Laura. I hope you will enjoy reading his works!

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  6. I haven't heard of this man either, but as I am studying prayer more and more (and living out my studies), I am really interested in gleaning from his wisdom. So glad you shared this!

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that, Jen, I hope you'll enjoy his books and that they'll be useful for you! Thank you for the visit and the comment!

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  7. I have never heard of E. M. Bouds, but if we will live a life where these words will be said about us "was a saint of God known for his (or her) extraordinary prayer life" that is a remarkable thing! I look forward to searching for more about this remarkable man. Blessings!

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    1. I agree, Letetia! I wish the same can be said one day about me. But I know I have a lot of work ahead of me :) Blessings to you!

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  8. I've been inspired many times by quotes from E.M. Bounds, but I don't think I've ever actually read one of his books. Thanks for this encouragement to do so. And thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
    Tina

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