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Prayer is the Answer: Classic Writings on Prayer
Prayer is the Answer is a collection of thirty classic writings on prayer by three men whose writings have inspired Christians for generations. John Wesley, Andrew Murray, and E. M. Bounds understood that prayer can be - and should be - an essential element of every Christian's faith journey. This is compact text, which has been gently edited for modern audiences, contains insightful passages from three prolific pastors who knew that whatever the problem, or whatever the question, prayer is, indeed, the answer.
95 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
4 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Bounds
325 books226 followersEdward 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.
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 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 23, 2020
“Quietly tell your Lord Jesus of your weakness; believe that the Holy Spirit is in you to teach you to pray; and, be assured that if you begin, God will help you.” - Andrew Murray
Such a challenging, convicting little collection. Has convinced me to implement more structure into my own prayer life!
Such a challenging, convicting little collection. Has convinced me to implement more structure into my own prayer life!
December 13, 2020
This was a really good sampling from the three authors. Each of the thirty excerpts only takes a few minutes to read, but they give a lot to think about. I will be looking for whole works by each of these authors.
January 18, 2024
A small little booklet that contains some impactful nuggets of wisdom on the importance of prayer, the power of prayer, and the need for more prayer.
I will definitely be returning to excerpts in here for encouragement and to strengthen my faith in the future.
I will definitely be returning to excerpts in here for encouragement and to strengthen my faith in the future.
May 31, 2020
As we grow in the Christian life, the thought and the faith of the Beloved Master in His never-failing intercession becomes more precious, and the hope of being like Christ in His intercessions gains an attractiveness before unknown. (Andrew Murray)
. . . . . . .
I used this small book as devotional reading for the past month, and I have to say, it truly inspired and motivated me in my prayers.
. . . . . . .
It is He who justifies us freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus (Romans 3:24). It is He who has blotted out all our sins, and healed all our infirmities. It is He who has received us as His own children, by adoption and grace. It is He who has begotten us again of incorruptible seed, and created us anew in Christ Jesus. Therefore we know that He hears us always. So we pray to Him without ceasing. We pray because we love, and we love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19). (John Wesley)
. . . . . . .
I've really enjoyed and grown by reading Andrew Murray's works for many years now. I've read some of E.M Bounds books on prayer.
. . . . . . .
People are God's method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better people. (E.M. Bounds)
. . . . . . .
Blessed Jesus... teach me that prayer is not only a thing of times and seasons, but that is the outflowing of a life in You ... I am a child and have a child's liberty of access; in You I have the spirit of Sonship and of worship of truth... And let the infinite Fatherliness of God's heart be my joy and my strength for a life of prayer and of worship. (Andrew Murray)
. . . . . . .
And John Wesley? Well, I know who he is (and his brother Charles) but I think I've only read about him.
. . . . . . .
Prayer is the lifting up of the heart to God. All words of prayer, without this lifting up of the heart, are mere hypocrisy. Whenever, therefore, you attempt to pray, see that your one design is to commune with God, to lift up your heart to him, to pour out your soul before him. (John Wesley)
. . . . . . .
I likely will pick it up again in another month or so! It's full of good reminders and encouragements to come to God in prayer.
. . . . . . .
Blessed is the man who is not staggered by God's delay or silence or apparent refusal; blessed is he who is strong in faith, giving glory to God. Such faith perseveres, if need be, and cannot fail to inherit the blessing. (Andrew Murray)
. . . . . . .
This is a valuable little book, and I'm thankful for these men who wrote so winsomely about the Lord that we pray to!
. . . . . . .
Child of God, go listen to your Teacher. He tells you that when you go to private prayer, your first thought must be the Father. If your heart is cold, get into the presence of the loving Father. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities you. Do not be thinking of how little you have to bring God, but think instead about how much He wants to give you. Just place yourself before Him and look up into His face; think of His love, His wonderful, tender, pitying love. It is the Father's loving heart that will give light and warmth to yours. (Andrew Murray)
. . . . . . .
I used this small book as devotional reading for the past month, and I have to say, it truly inspired and motivated me in my prayers.
. . . . . . .
It is He who justifies us freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus (Romans 3:24). It is He who has blotted out all our sins, and healed all our infirmities. It is He who has received us as His own children, by adoption and grace. It is He who has begotten us again of incorruptible seed, and created us anew in Christ Jesus. Therefore we know that He hears us always. So we pray to Him without ceasing. We pray because we love, and we love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19). (John Wesley)
. . . . . . .
I've really enjoyed and grown by reading Andrew Murray's works for many years now. I've read some of E.M Bounds books on prayer.
. . . . . . .
People are God's method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better people. (E.M. Bounds)
. . . . . . .
Blessed Jesus... teach me that prayer is not only a thing of times and seasons, but that is the outflowing of a life in You ... I am a child and have a child's liberty of access; in You I have the spirit of Sonship and of worship of truth... And let the infinite Fatherliness of God's heart be my joy and my strength for a life of prayer and of worship. (Andrew Murray)
. . . . . . .
And John Wesley? Well, I know who he is (and his brother Charles) but I think I've only read about him.
. . . . . . .
Prayer is the lifting up of the heart to God. All words of prayer, without this lifting up of the heart, are mere hypocrisy. Whenever, therefore, you attempt to pray, see that your one design is to commune with God, to lift up your heart to him, to pour out your soul before him. (John Wesley)
. . . . . . .
I likely will pick it up again in another month or so! It's full of good reminders and encouragements to come to God in prayer.
. . . . . . .
Blessed is the man who is not staggered by God's delay or silence or apparent refusal; blessed is he who is strong in faith, giving glory to God. Such faith perseveres, if need be, and cannot fail to inherit the blessing. (Andrew Murray)
. . . . . . .
This is a valuable little book, and I'm thankful for these men who wrote so winsomely about the Lord that we pray to!
. . . . . . .
Child of God, go listen to your Teacher. He tells you that when you go to private prayer, your first thought must be the Father. If your heart is cold, get into the presence of the loving Father. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities you. Do not be thinking of how little you have to bring God, but think instead about how much He wants to give you. Just place yourself before Him and look up into His face; think of His love, His wonderful, tender, pitying love. It is the Father's loving heart that will give light and warmth to yours. (Andrew Murray)
February 16, 2024
Criticism:
- Occasionally portrays prayer as some sort of power *over* God (example: "Prayer is the one power on earth that commands the power of heaven.- Murray)
- Teaches that if one prays for something fervently and persistently enough, with a pure heart, that prayer will be answered. I don't think a careful reading of the Bible teaches this.
- Teaches that God giving us what our hearts' desires (Ps. 37) means that if we desire something worldly as well as something spiritual, God will give us the worldly good instead of Himself. I don't think this is always the case - or even the general route God takes. Otherwise we'd assume that if we wanted to have worldly goods - health, happiness, wealth - the best way to get it would be to desire it very much, more than God. What?! No, if anything, God takes away the worldly goods that we desire so we can more clearly see our need for Him (Hosea 2).
- Claims that the highest form of prayer is intercession. But the Bible never says this. Couldn't we argue that the highest form of prayer is worship or gratitude, like the doxologies we find in the New Testament?
Pros:
- Encourages us to find comfort in prayer by remembering that God is our loving Father who wants to hear from us and wants to answer our prayer <3 (My favorite part)
- Reminder that prayer is powerful and not to be neglected as we so easily can do
- Encourages us to pray persistently, as Jesus teaches in His parables
Good Quotes:
"God so highly prizes our confidence in Him - it is essentially the highest honor that the creature can render the Creator - that He will do anything to train us in the exercise of trusting Him." - Andrew Murray
"Prayer is humbling work. It abases intellect and pride, and it crucifies vanity. These are hard things for flesh and blood to bear. It is easier not to pray than to bear them." - E.M. Bounds
"Pray without ceasing...
Begin by setting apart some time every day, say ten or fifteen minutes, in which you say to God and to yourself that you will come to Him as an intercessor for others. Let it be after your morning or evening prayer, or any other time.
If you cannot secure the same time every day, be not troubled. Only see that you do your work. Christ chose you and appointed you to pray for others.
If at first you do not feel any special urgency or faith or power in your prayers, do not let that hinder you. Quietly tell your Lord Jesus of your weakness; believe that the Holy Spirit is in you to teach you to pray, and, be assured that if you begin, God will help you." - Andrew Murray
"Teach me to draw near to You, Jesus, in prayer under the deep impression of my ignorance. I am a child and have a child's liberty of access; in You I have the spirit of Sonship and of worship of truth. Teach me, above all, Blessed Son of the Father, how it is the revelation of the Father that gives confidence in prayer. And let the infinite Fatherliness of God's heart be my joy and my strength for a life of prayer and of worship." - Andrew Murray
"If your heart is cold, get into the presence of the loving Father. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities you. Do not be thinking of how little you have to bring God, think, instead, about how much He wants to give you. Just place yourself before Him and look up into His face; think of His love, His wonderful, tender, pitying love. It is the Father's loving heart that will give light and warmth to yours. Just do what Jesus says: Just shut the door and pray to thy Father, which is in secret. Is it not wonderful? Yes, it is wonderful to be alone with God, your infinite, loving Father." - Andrew Murray
- Occasionally portrays prayer as some sort of power *over* God (example: "Prayer is the one power on earth that commands the power of heaven.- Murray)
- Teaches that if one prays for something fervently and persistently enough, with a pure heart, that prayer will be answered. I don't think a careful reading of the Bible teaches this.
- Teaches that God giving us what our hearts' desires (Ps. 37) means that if we desire something worldly as well as something spiritual, God will give us the worldly good instead of Himself. I don't think this is always the case - or even the general route God takes. Otherwise we'd assume that if we wanted to have worldly goods - health, happiness, wealth - the best way to get it would be to desire it very much, more than God. What?! No, if anything, God takes away the worldly goods that we desire so we can more clearly see our need for Him (Hosea 2).
- Claims that the highest form of prayer is intercession. But the Bible never says this. Couldn't we argue that the highest form of prayer is worship or gratitude, like the doxologies we find in the New Testament?
Pros:
- Encourages us to find comfort in prayer by remembering that God is our loving Father who wants to hear from us and wants to answer our prayer <3 (My favorite part)
- Reminder that prayer is powerful and not to be neglected as we so easily can do
- Encourages us to pray persistently, as Jesus teaches in His parables
Good Quotes:
"God so highly prizes our confidence in Him - it is essentially the highest honor that the creature can render the Creator - that He will do anything to train us in the exercise of trusting Him." - Andrew Murray
"Prayer is humbling work. It abases intellect and pride, and it crucifies vanity. These are hard things for flesh and blood to bear. It is easier not to pray than to bear them." - E.M. Bounds
"Pray without ceasing...
Begin by setting apart some time every day, say ten or fifteen minutes, in which you say to God and to yourself that you will come to Him as an intercessor for others. Let it be after your morning or evening prayer, or any other time.
If you cannot secure the same time every day, be not troubled. Only see that you do your work. Christ chose you and appointed you to pray for others.
If at first you do not feel any special urgency or faith or power in your prayers, do not let that hinder you. Quietly tell your Lord Jesus of your weakness; believe that the Holy Spirit is in you to teach you to pray, and, be assured that if you begin, God will help you." - Andrew Murray
"Teach me to draw near to You, Jesus, in prayer under the deep impression of my ignorance. I am a child and have a child's liberty of access; in You I have the spirit of Sonship and of worship of truth. Teach me, above all, Blessed Son of the Father, how it is the revelation of the Father that gives confidence in prayer. And let the infinite Fatherliness of God's heart be my joy and my strength for a life of prayer and of worship." - Andrew Murray
"If your heart is cold, get into the presence of the loving Father. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities you. Do not be thinking of how little you have to bring God, think, instead, about how much He wants to give you. Just place yourself before Him and look up into His face; think of His love, His wonderful, tender, pitying love. It is the Father's loving heart that will give light and warmth to yours. Just do what Jesus says: Just shut the door and pray to thy Father, which is in secret. Is it not wonderful? Yes, it is wonderful to be alone with God, your infinite, loving Father." - Andrew Murray
December 20, 2023
This book was an easy read! Cover to cover, it is a powerful lesson on the importance of prayer! Giving great insight through scripture, on how we are to pray, and to use the avenue of prayer, for every matter concerning our earthly lives. It pricks the conscience to take prayer more seriously, and to make our relationship with God paramount!
August 18, 2024
This book is a great read for re-prioritizing your prayer life. There are practical tips available, and there are scripture references to help you on your journey. Prayer truly is the answer to everything.
July 22, 2019
A supplement to a Bible study on Prayer I am a part of. So many great nuggets of truth to meditate on throughout the day. Each reading is super short but references where to read more.
August 19, 2020
Great small devotional book.. it worth reading again. 30 short chapters (1 an 1/2 page per chapter) for a 30 day devotional. This is not one to be missed if theological readings.
April 30, 2023
A wonderful little devotional book on prayer! I will read it again!
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July 14, 2023Great little devotional!
July 9, 2024
Mix of good and (I believe) unbiblical advice about prayer. Would not give this to anyone young in the faith.
March 1, 2025
A book from my grandmother. It's very short, divided into 30 days of readings.
I enjoyed a little dip into Wesley's and Murray's writings on prayer.
I enjoyed a little dip into Wesley's and Murray's writings on prayer.
February 19, 2026
Convicting, encouraging, and honestly exciting. I’ve already gone back to re-read parts of it bc they stuck with me so much.
It’s just 30 short chapters so it’s perfect for a month-long devotional
It’s just 30 short chapters so it’s perfect for a month-long devotional
November 7, 2021
E. M. Bounds is a great author on prayer, He shares such good nuggets.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews