The Reality of Prayer

by E.M. Bounds

Using each Person of the Trinity, Bounds shows how we relate to God in the ability to come into His presence. Praying is both privilege and the most sacred human duty.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Theology, History, Nonfiction, Religion

Paperback

First published August 1, 1978

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Nicholas Maulucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

another great book by Bounds. I am not usually one to re-read a book but not only do I highly recommend Bounds books, but I recommend reading them more than once. they will help keep the fire burning. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Stephen Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful

[Steve Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains some inspiring thoughts on prayer. If there is a weakness, it is that Bounds tends to repeat himself a lot.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very inspiring and helpful book if you find it hard to pray!

"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these thing that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36

This book was very important in helping me to learn again how to speak with God! I still find myself going through the motions more often than I would like, but I was able to increase my prayer focus and commitment.

The author's friend, Claude L. Chilton, wrote of him, "He prayed because the needs of the world were upon him." I had indeed found that my prayers were very short and repetitive when focused only on my small needs.

E. M. Bounds himself is a very interesting character! A lawyer turned pastor, a civil war chaplain, and twice prisoner of war. He rose at 4:00 AM everyday to pray! Thank you Mr. Bounds, your book has much to offer.

[JennanneJ]

Read as part of a EM Bounds collection on prayer and the man does tend to be repetitive, so I can't always distinguish which idea came from which book.

Especially appreciated his using Jesus as an example for praying.

Quote:
"Prayer is an appeal from the lowness, from the emptiness, from the need of earth, to the highness, the fullness and to the all-sufficiency of Heaven. Prayer turns the eye and the heart heavenward with a child’s longings, a child’s trust and a child’s expectancy. To hallow God’s Name, to speak it with bated breath, to hold it sacredly, this also belongs to prayer."

[Asha McDd · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always E. M. Bounds stresses on the importance of prayer and the God to whom we are praying to. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to pray more deeply.

[Rodney Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bounds is an expert on prayer. This classic work systematically reveals the importance and effectiveness of prayer with well researched scripture.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, author E.M. Bounds speaks about the reality of prayer. People often don’t get answers to prayer, and they begin to doubt that prayer is even real. But for those who are praying in the will of God, prayer becomes a powerful force in their lives. And in this book, Bounds explores how prayer is a reality, but that we must pray with God’s will.

Giving many examples from the life of Jesus, Bounds talk passionately about prayer and it’s importance. He also explains the significance of many of the prayers of Jesus, breaking them down and showing what we can learn from each prayer. And the emphasis he puts on the role of the Holy Spirit in inspiring and maintaining prayer that conforms to God’s will.

This book is an excellent list of examples of the reality of prayer in the life of Jesus. And through exploring these examples and breaking them down, Bounds really gets down into serious depth about prayer and how it should be used in your life. The loss of the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in our society proves a real barrier to prayer, but Bounds points out that without the Holy Spirit, no true prayer can go on. That may be why our society is on the verge of war, and I can only hope that the Holy Spirit will break out of the mould and reassert Himself in the lives of Christians around the world.