Prayer Warrior: E. M. Bounds

E. M. (Edward McKendree) Bounds (1835-1913) was a man of many skills. He was, at various points in his life, a lawyer, a chaplain, a pastor, an evangelist, and an editor. He also wrote many powerful, classic messages on prayer—and his commitment to the power and necessity of prayer is his most lasting legacy.

Typically he rose at 4:00 a.m. to intercede at least three hours. He founded the “Great While before Daybreak Band” to encourage others to spend extended times in prayer.

Born in Shelby County, Mo., Bounds studies law and began a flourishing practice. People were “impressed with his sharp mind and communication skills.” Indeed, he became his state’s youngest practicing lawyer at the age of 19.

He came to know the Lord at a young age, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In his twenties, Bounds sensed the Lord’s call on his life during a revival movement. In 1857, he closed his law office to devote himself to full-time ministry and enrolled in Centenary Seminary in Palmyra, Mo. In 1859, at age 24, he was ordained as a minister of his denomination.

His first pastorate was at Monticello, Mo., and he later pastored other churches in Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.

During the Civil War, although Missouri was not part of the Confederacy (and Bounds was opposed to slavery), he was accused of being a Southern sympathizer. When he refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the United States and pay a hefty fine, he was imprisoned in St. Louis for over a year. He was transferred to Memphis, Tenn. as part of a prisoner exchange.

Bounds made the most of his unfortunate circumstances by becoming a chaplain in the Confederate Army. He was wounded at the battle of Franklin in Tennessee, and recaptured by the Union. After his release, he felt God’s call to return to Franklin, and became the pastor of the local Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1876, Bounds married Emma Barnett, of Washington, Ga., and the couple had three children. During this time, they moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he became the associate editor of the St. Louis Christian Advocate. Later, they returned to Tennessee, where he edited the Nashville Christian Advocate.

In 1886, Bounds mourned the death of his wife. However, less than two years later, he married Harriet (Hattie) Barnett, a first cousin of Emma. They were married until his death and had six children together.

After some time in publishing, Bounds retired to Washington, Ga., to a ministry of prayer, writing, and occasional speaking at revivals and conferences.

Following his daily early morning prayer time, Bounds spent the rest of an average day writing, praying, and studying Scripture. Though he wrote extensively, only two of his books were published before his death.

His best known book is probably Power through Prayer. Other titles include Satan: His Personality, Power, and Overthrow, and Heaven: a Place, a City, a Home. In 1990, Baker Books released The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer.

The following is adapted from one of his classic messages:

“God has ordained prayer as a means through which He will carry out His gracious designs on earth and execute…His plan of redemption. Prayer is a specific divine appointment whereby God will do things through His people as they pray that He would not otherwise do.

“While we in our weakness and poverty wait, trust, and pray, God undertakes the work. But if prayer moves God to work in this world’s affairs, then prayerlessness leaves us the mere creatures of circumstances. It leaves us in this world with its tremendous responsibilities and difficult problems, and with all its sorrows, burdens, and afflictions, without help from God.

“Prayer puts God’s work in His hands and keeps it there. It looks to Him constantly and depends on Him implicitly to further His own cause. Prayer is but faith resting in, acting with, leaning on, and obeying God. This is why God loves it so well and why He so highly esteems people of prayer.”

After a long and fruitful ministry, Bounds died in 1913 at his home in Washington. His works continue to bless readers to this day, and “though he is dead, he still speaks” (Heb. 11:4).

Bernard R. DeRemer chronicled the lives of dozens of heroes of the faith in more
than a decade of writing for Pulpit Helps Magazine. He continues to serve in this
capacity as a volunteer contributor to Disciple. He lives in West Liberty, Ohio.