POWER THROUGH PRAYER

Quote from the Book

“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be and the mightier the forces against evil everywhere. Prayer, in one phase of its operation, is a disinfectant and a preventive. It purifies the air; it destroys the contagion of evil.”

The Author

Edward McKendree Bounds was born on August 15, 1835, and went home to be with Lord on August 24, 1913. 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 (Claude) 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, more editorial work was being done by Rev. Homer W. Hodge

Insights from the Book

Power through prayer is one of all true writings of all time about prayer. E.M. Bounds shows that spiritual life and power depends on prayer in the life of a Christian. He says, “…every Christian who does not build his own life and ministry on prayer is weak in God’s work and is powerless to cause God’s work to go forward in this world.” Prayer is one of the most misunderstood arts of human experience- yet it is meant to be one of the most exciting aspects of a life of faith. Prayer is pivotal to an effective ministry. Jesus and the early disciples understood the place and priority of prayer and they practiced the art of prayer as they undertook God’s work on earth. Although Jesus carried divine power while he was here on earth, he learned how to trust and depend on God through prayer for daily strength to carry out his ministries. The first set of disciples followed this pattern; they understood how not to major on minor. Instead of concentrating on the administrative work of serving tables, they rather separated themselves unto prayer and delegated that aspect of the work to others. This is the subject Bounds covers in this book challenging every Christian servant to value the pivotal role of prayer in the service of the kingdom. This time-tested book is a great spiritual blessing to the Christian’s life and walk with God.