Understanding Prayer: Its Purpose, Its Power, Its Potential

by E.M. Bounds

Prayer doesn’t have to be mysterious—and Understanding Prayer will clearly explain the purpose, power, and potential of regular conversation with God. This brand-new compilation from the writings of E. M. Bounds—a noted authority on prayer from the nineteenth-century—will show you the elements of effective, God-pleasing prayer. Whether he’s discussing the proper mindset for prayer, the prayer lives of Bible characters, or the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayers, Bounds makes practical application to every believer today. Text has been lightly updated for ease of reading, and space is provided for readers to record their own thoughts and observations.

 

 

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

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

[Clara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounds defines prayer "as the most natural outpouring of the soul, the unhindered turning to God for communion and direction." "Praying men are essential to almighty God in all His plans and purposes." Bounds book is both inspirational and practical.

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Prayer affects three different spheres of existence—the divine, the angelic, and the human.

It puts God to work,
It puts angels to work,
And it puts man to work. It lays its hands upon God, angels, and men. What a wonderful reach there is in prayer! It brings into play the forces of heaven and earth.


God, angels, and men are subjects of this wonderful law of prayer, and all these have to do with the possibilities and the results of prayer.

God has so far subjected Himself to prayer that by reason of His own appointment, He is induced to work among men in a way in which He does not work if men do not pray.

Prayer lays hold upon God and influences Him to work.


This is the meaning of prayer as it concerns God. This is the doctrine of prayer, or else there is nothing, whatever in prayer."

Thank you, E.M. BOUNDS.

[Margaret Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful compilation of a few of the writings of E.M.Bounds on prayer. He looks at key elements of prayer, as well as the prayer lives of mighty leaders and preachers who have gone before us. It was a stirring read and really spurs the reader on to have a more effective prayer life, seeking God for all.

[Deborah Lee]

Understanding Prayer: It’s Purpose, It’s Power. It’s Potential (Value Books) E. M. Bounds

Wonderful and good book. I haven’t read it in years. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about how to pray. This is a keeper. E. M. Bounds was definitely a man who was carrying a praying heart. Thank you E. M. Bounds; even though God called you home to be with Him. Your prayer books are definitely a classic to read. Again, thank you.

[Michael K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not see this as a way of understanding prayer, per se. However, I did find this to be a great inspiration to pray. This book inspired me to establish a greater prayer patter in my life based upon what was written. The way prayer affected so many others and touched so many others was truly astounding and heartwarming!

[Ole Madsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

e m bounds is a must read

[Tim Franks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers tons of great one liners and important truths about the prayer life of a believer in Jesus Christ. The problem lies with the way the book is structured of being a bit of a mess of different works and essays the author has wrote on the topic. Prayer is so important for believers and this book has great biblical evidence and application for making this true in our lives. I would suggest finding some actual essays or books he has written on topics as opposed to reading this work.

[Amy Phelps · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book. My biggest issue with it is that it did not live up to my expectations. I was looking for an easy to read book about prayer. This book is written on a level for Seminary students- not for a person who is trying tu better understand why and how to pray. I had trouble following the language and trying to figure out what they were talking about. I was hoping that this would have been more of a Parying for dummies type of book.