Preacher and Prayer

by E.M. Bounds

Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all the week. If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating, he has ruined your ministry. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God. Luther spent his best three hours in prayer. —Robert Murray McCheyne. About the Edward McKendree Bounds, 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 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, Homer W. Hodge completed additional editorial work.

Genres: Christian, Prayer

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2020

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

[Natacha Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been preaching in my church on regular basis, and I think I really needed this book.

It's such a powerful reminder that we desperately need intimacy with God in order to do what He has called us to do. We preach for about 45 minutes, but what we do the rest of the time preaches more than anything else. We're a living message!

Preparing sermons can be so cold if we don't have a close relationship with Jesus, and I certainly don't want to fall into that.

This was a very helpful read!

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best books I've read on the ministry of a pastor. A breath of fresh air!

[Andy Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack. Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still."

"God's revelation does not need the light of human genius, the polish and strength of human culture, the brilliancy of human thought, the force of human brains to adorn or enforce it; but it does demand the simplicity, the docility, humility, and faith of a child's heart."

Coming from someone who does not pray often enough - DANG! This book truly helps you see the importance, power, and privilege of prayer. Must read.

[Dustin Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book overall. In this classic work E.M. Bounds challenges preachers to be more intentional and earnest in prayer. The text doesn't lend itself to significant exegesis and is more devotional in nature. This is a challenging and encouraging read and is recommended to all preachers.

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 4 out of 5]

EM Bounds was an intimate prayer warrior and prolific writer concerning all things regarding prayer. This is just one of the many insightful books in my growing library on the subject of prayer. if your desire is to not only speak to god but also hear from Him - this book needs to e in your library.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I am definitely not a preacher, I was eager to see what Bounds had to say about preachers and prayer. I am very glad I did. Bounds studied prayer very deeply, and it shows in his writing, and when it comes to preachers, he said many things that I find interesting.

Although every Christian should pray, preachers in particular should be steeped in this practice. Their sermons will be inflamed with the Good News by God’s own power only if they seek it Him in prayer. Not only that, but he should encourage his church to pray for him. Paul himself implored the churches to pray for him and his ministry, and all that prayer reached the highest Heaven and God infused Paul’s ministry. Prayer will have the same effect today if only we would dive headfirst into the discipline.

Using old saints as a powerful example, Bounds once again drives home the point that prayer is the most important, powerful weapon in the Christian’s arsenal. Prayer is the one thing that moves the Lord into action, and it is a practice that is nearly dead in today’s world. Perhaps if we would pray as the old saints, this world would be better.

I am more and more convinced that prayer should be the first thing you do in the morning to dive deep into the Lord’s wonderful presence to fuel themselves for the day. Bounds is a fantastic authority on prayer, and I recommend this to anybody who wants to know about the struggles of preachers and what they really need from you. Please give this book a chance, and pray long and hard for your pastors and preachers.

[Stephanie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

E.M. Bounds’ Preacher and Prayer is a book that emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life and ministry of the pastor. This book looks intently at the reasons prayer is to be emphasized, and the results that occur when pastors intentionally focus their lives around prayer. Bounds repeatedly states that the preacher who devotes his life to prayer will grow not only in their life with Christ, but in the ministry of preaching as well and, in turn, the church they shepherd. “The preachers who are the mightiest in their [prayer] closets with God are the mightiest in their pulpits with men,” is a resounding message throughout Bound’s book.
Preacher and Prayer is certainly a convicting read for any believer, but especially for the pastor or ministry leader. Being reminded of the power and importance of prayer is needed regularly. Bounds uses biblical examples, as well as more modern examples, to emphasize God’s plan throughout time for men to become holy through a reliance on Him only.

[Bradley McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book during my theology studies in the '80s. Speaking of it favorably to the librarian who is now my wife, I bemoaned the fact that it was out of print. Unknown to me, she checked out the book and typed it entirely in the wee hours night after night, presenting it to me on Valentine's Day, 1984, the year before we wed. Since then, "The Preacher and Prayer" has been a part of my devotional life, if only in small increments at a time. Not only is its language challenging for the modern reader (a synonym for miserly even raising objections from some who are unaware of its etymology), but its subject matter also demands to be digested slowly. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is - as the man of prayer, Nehemiah, worded it - for the Lord's "servants, who desire to fear [His] name." (Neh. 1:11) It is no longer necessary to type out one's own copy. Reprints exist and used copies are more accessible online. But if they were not, it would be a book worth typing or even writing out longhand, as all books were formerly.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book by E.M. Bounds. Though it’s length is deceiving because every page is packed with good quotes and brilliant observations. Very convicting and a good reminder of many of the truths of ministry. Bounds places prayer at the heart of the Christian life as it should be. Something I often fail to remember. His passages about theologians and pastors of the past on prayer was very convicting. While this book is aimed at pastors I think it is very applicable towards all Christians who are striving to follow with less hypocrisy and more faithfulness. Will I ever achieve this? Probably not, but this book is good for reminding me of that. This book will be worth revisiting for me so I highly recommend it.

[Phil Sessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute must read for anyone that preaches. Many men are known for their skilled rhetoric in preaching but not for their exemplary Prayer lives which is like the fire from heaven upon the sacrifice on the altar. This book is also a must read for men and women that are mature in Christ and desire to grow in prayer and the character of Christ. You will lean about the exemplary prayer lives of many notes christian leaders and of course the Apostles Paul and he prince of prayer, Christ Himself. I devoured this book and want more to read it as well. I will promote this book heavily.

[Alejandro Ramírez Badillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro pequeño
Pero súper nutrido
Tan lleno de conceptos que invitan a la oración y reflexión
Seguramente lo volveré a leer nuevamente en el transcurso del año
Me encanto por que es pequeño pero si que te vuela la cabeza a pensar y a “orar”
Excelente libro
La traducción es impecable

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

food for thought

I really enjoyed this small book that was impactful and powerful. It was insightful. I will try to find other books by this author. It shared the importance of prayer.

[Zam Caztro · Rating 5 out of 5]

“La revelación de Dios no necesita la luz del genio humano, el pulimento y la fortaleza de la cultura, para adornarla, y reforzarla, sino que demanda la simplicidad, la docilidad, la humildad y la fe del corazón de un niño.”

[Starla Maddix · Rating 5 out of 5]

A preacher friend of mine wanted me to read this book. A wonderful little book about prayer. Wrote down many quotes from this book.

[Antonio Cruz]

Muy certero en cuanto al poco uso de la oración en hombres y mujeres que ejercen ministerios en la iglesia

[Javier Jara Bao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un pequeño pero confrontador libro. Creo que todo líder debería leer sobre la oración y este es uno de los libros que debería estar en la lista.

[Jackson Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broke my brain on prayer. Communicates the urgency with which we need to chase after God. Read it.

[Joseph Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on the value of prayer in preaching. The layout of my book was less than to be desired and the font was different it made it harder to read. But the content was great

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounds is very given to hyperbole, but it does lend to his motivational effect.

[Petermathieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I will read again. Very inspiring.

[Polly Tjihenuna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"no study can make up for the lack of prayer [as preachers]"

[Brad MacPhail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is needed for such a time as this!

[sergio garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

exceletente libro

Es un libro que despierta el deseo de querer vivir en un estilo de vida de oracion continua adquierelo y leelo

[Caleb Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. convicting and galvanizing.

[Manuel Alfredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me desafia y confronta en mi vida de oración.

[Randi Burnell Sikora · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read lots of stories to relate too amd good quotes to live by.

[Steven Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this is a book all preachers should read. E.M. Bounds has come at this issue from every angle seeking to urge preachers to spend time with God in prayer. How can we have power without it? What did the apostles give themselves unto? The words may be hard for the flesh to hear, but they are good words. We need to pray more. Preachers, read this book.

[Cristina]

Leí la traducción al español "El predicador y la oración".