Prayer

E.M. Bounds was a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He died 110 years ago. Although he wrote several books (most on the topic of Prayer), he’s little-known today. At times his language feels archaic. And his frequent use of “men” instead of a more inclusive “people” immediately stands out in the modern reader’s mind. And he and I might differ on various issues.

But this little-known, unassuming pastor intimately knew his Savior through many hours in prayer. His passion for prayer still drips from every one of his pages, which is why I regularly re-read his works.

Christian friends, Perhaps you need to wrestle with these words as I have lately. And perhaps you need to pray more, as I have lately after re-reading his convicting thoughts:

“What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use--men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men--men of prayer.” From his book, “Power through Prayer”