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E.M. Bounds on Prayer

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Prayer That Gets Results 
Prayer is the Christian’s lifeline to God, and with it lives are changed for eternity! E. M. Bounds knew the secrets of prayer and that God has established divine principles and promises for our every need. He reveals these principles and illustrates how God has answered the prayers of men and women since the beginning of Bible times. He also uncovers how you can… Since the time of the apostles, no man besides E. M. Bounds has left such a rich inheritance of biblical research into the life of prayer. Here are teachings on the only effective barrier against the powers of evil that prevail throughout the present world. Through these writings, you will discover how you can have a totally effective prayer life and how you can know the fullness of divine power.

624 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

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About the author

E.M. Bounds

134 books189 followers
Edward McKendree Bounds was a Methodist minister, revivalist, author and lawyer.

Unsuccessful in the California gold rush of 1849, E.M. Bounds returned home to Missouri and became the state’s youngest practicing attorney at age 19. In his early twenties he was deeply impacted by the Third Great Awakening, and at age 24 he was ordained for ministry. During his lifetime he pastored churches, traveled as an evangelist, served as a Civil War chaplain, edited a Christian periodical and was a devoted husband and father. But E.M. Bounds is best known for prayer. His daily habit was to spend the time between 4 am and 7 am praying. His writings on prayer are widely acclaimed to be among the finest of any author before or since.

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Mikejencostanzo.
239 reviews40 followers
August 22, 2008
E.M. Bounds on Prayer is the biggest, fattest theology book I ever loved. I read through this book over the course of what must have been nearly a year. Every morning a few pages. It was wonderful.

I so treasure it when others record for posterity those precious, precious stories of answered prayer. I so easily forget that God hears and answers prayer. I need reminders like the ones author E.M. Bounds shares. He intersperses his teaching on prayer with stories of answered prayer at every turn -- both from the Bible as well as from contemporary life.

Please indulge me as I share just one...

"A water famine was threatened in Hakodate, Japan. Miss Dickerson, of the Methodist Episcopal Girls' School, saw the water supply getting smaller daily, and, in one of the fall months, appealed to the Board in New York for help. There was no money on hand, and nothing was done. Miss Dickerson inquired the cost of putting down an artesian well, but found the expense too great to be undertaken.

"One the evening of December 31, when the water was almost exhausted, the teachers and the older pupils met to pray for water, though they had no idea how their prayer was to be answered. A couple of days later, a letter was received in the New York office and it went something like this: "Philadelphia, January 1. It is six o'clock in the morning of New Year's Day. All the other members of the family are asleep, but I was awakened with a strange impression that someone, somewhere, is in need of money, which the Lord wants me to supply." Enclosed was a check for an amount that just covered the cost of the artesian well and the piping of the water into the school buildings."

I need stories like this. When the answered prayers of my own life seem to have faded into oblivion, and the only thing I can seem to remember is the sore spots that I'm currently praying for... I need those concrete reminders that the world is so much bigger than what I can see -- those reminders that there is something decidedly supernatural going on. We are living in an amazing universe that is saturated with spiritual goings-on. Stories like this take off the blinders for a few minutes.

--Jen
Profile Image for Shine.
4 reviews6 followers
May 28, 2008
What an amazing book! Okay so don't plan to finish this in one or two nights. I think it would work best as a devotional study.

Edward McKendree Bounds was born in the early 1800's and died in the early 1900's. So when you read his books you'll see how his writing style is a bit different than what we are used to reading in the 21st century today. Yet, its really easy to follow and you are just left amazed at how he unlocks the secrets to understanding the different paths of prayer in reaching God.

I would highly recommend a copy to anyone who wants to really press into seeking the Lord through prayer.
Profile Image for Brenda .
225 reviews
February 25, 2015
This is a phenomenal book on having a powerful prayer life. It actually teaches you in a way that is easy to learn but so deep. I took my time with this one. This book needs to be read over and over because there is just so much information on the hows and whys to prayer. I am finding my prayer life changing and getting stronger. There are many Scriptures to back everything. I have bought this book for everyone in my family because I want to leave a legacy of learning to be strong prayer warriors. That life is better with prayer. Excellent book. The power of prayer exists. Read this book with your Bible. You will change for the better.
Profile Image for Tamara Kronk.
8 reviews
June 21, 2017
Have finished the first of 7 books...and its been completely transformative for my prayer life. Definitely highly recommend so far!
Profile Image for Sean.
55 reviews
August 8, 2011
I never knew so much could be written about prayer! And I spent 7 years reading this book, and only made it half-way through. It was recommended to me, and it's great, but I just can't read that much at a time. It would be a great resource if you want to focus on a single aspect of prayer (because the book is broken down into 7 books).
Profile Image for Karen.
18 reviews
June 14, 2013
This is an awesome book on prayer. Bounds' writing is scripturally based and is full of real anecdotes that bring his points home. Every time I read it, I go to a deeper level of prayer.
Profile Image for Kare.
11 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2017
WOW. BRILLIANT. This took me two years to read, because it is so heavy, but it was well worth it. Full review to come.
44 reviews2 followers
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June 27, 2010
love this book. i've been reading it for a long time, i read alittle at a time, it is so rich.
Profile Image for Leah.
5 reviews2 followers
Currently reading
September 10, 2007
E. M. Bounds is a historical Christian minister. The book is something t read weekly for direction and encouragement. He encourages Christian's to grow stronger in the discipline of prayer.

I learned: If I pray about everything then I'll have greater peace.

Bounds has motivated me to pray more then last year. Also, he gives examples of Christian leaders falling because of a weak prayer life. So I won't let my life get in the way of prayer. Continue to pray and grow in the discipline of prayer.
April 6, 2014
Excellent and powerful book exhorting believers to have an active prayer life. It reminds us of the importance of praying expectantly. It reminds us of the Almighty power of our Great God! This book convicted and encouraged me to be an active prayer warrior! Let nothing replace your time in Gods Word but add this one to your library.
20 reviews
Read
May 17, 2009
There is nothing new under the sun. This book was written at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. the subjects and items he was addressing at the time of the writing is just as timely today. You would think he was writing about problems in the church today!
Profile Image for Mark.
1 review
March 31, 2016
Read this along with "The Kneeling Christian" once every year - It will change your heart toward prayer.
21 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2019
Wow. This book was the longest book I've read in years and I could not wait to keep reading. New perspective for me on prayer and praying for my church especially the leaders in my church. Love the many scriptures throughout the book. Challenged my faith and my prayer life. Starting to truly enjoy my prayer closet. Recommend for someone serious about learning about Prayer.
Profile Image for Purshia Gambles.
39 reviews5 followers
January 8, 2022
Longest spiritual book I have ever read. But worth it. There were so many nuggets on communion with God in prayer that I know I’ll revisit for the rest of my life. EM Bounds was a great writer and it comforts me knowing he’s now with the God he sought for his whole life here on earth.
15 reviews
April 7, 2023
Inspirational and edifying

This book truly inspires one to dig deep, it brings the mirror to honestly ask the questons that God truly wants. The questions of the soul and heart not empty vanity. This book inspires true raw faith and encourages intentional prayer.
Profile Image for Amy.
24 reviews
February 8, 2023
Truly, a staple on Prayer. What encouragement and inspiration. The most rousing to prayer.
Profile Image for Jeff Hill.
30 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2019
Read this book and reviewed it elsewhere in 2014. The final sentence in that review remains my view of this book: "This book should only be read as a brilliant example of how to misuse the Bible and belittle God".
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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