The Essentials of Prayer [Annotated, Updated Edition]: How Christians Ought to Pray

by E.M. Bounds

New, updated, and annotated edition.


And the very God of peace sanctify you completely, that your spirit, soul, and body be preserved whole without reprehension for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)


Christians who pray well, who bring the largest things to pass, and who move God to do great things, are those who are entirely given over to God in their praying. God wants, and must have, all that there is in us. We must be wholehearted people through whom he can work out his purposes and plans concerning us. God must have us in our entirety. No double-minded people need apply. No vacillating person can be used. No person with a divided allegiance to God, the world, and self can do the praying that is needed. Holiness is wholeness, and so God wants holy people – wholehearted and true – for his service and for the work of praying.


This book challenges the reader to first make sure he is ready to pray, and it also shows from Scripture when and how we ought to pray. E. M. Bounds examines the lack of prayer and its causes, but he also includes examples of answered prayer to give hope to those who feel like their prayers aren't being answered. Some may experience guilt for their lack and inconsistency of prayer, but sincere Christians will also be stirred in their heart to pray, and to pray well.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Nonfiction, Faith, Theology, Christianity, Religion

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1925

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

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really a great book on prayer. It was inspirational and practical in how to make prayer a lifestyle. This was written 100 years ago yet still holds true and that is because it’s Bible based. He started with advice about going into prayer with an attitude that was well described. He talked about humility, devotion, suffering, consecration, and missions.

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good short book on the basics of prayer. You can read it for free through Aneko Press, they've been publishing a lot of these old Christian books as ebooks and audiobooks and they've been quite the blessing.

[Hannah E. Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will challenge your prayer life. After reading it, I was both convicted and inspired to spend more time in praying. This book talks a lot about how we should pray and also about the possibilities when we do spend time in persistent and fervent prayer.

[B-right]

Only if the Church will return to its source of power; Prayer is the main thing not an extracurricular activity of for the mediocre Christian. Praise the Lord!! There are remnants upon the walls of the Nations who will not hold their peace until they have travailed like a woman in labor.

[David Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I like to read periodically. I think it is the best of the Bounds books on prayer. It is always encouraging.

[Ashley Mayhew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good and convicting book on prayer. It would have been helpful if he had talked more about HOW to foster more prayer instead of just WHY we should.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't what I expected. It would be more aptly titled "why a Christian ought to pray" instead of "how". Bounds shows how prayer is intertwined with many other aspects of life (trials, tribulation, thanksgiving, humility, works of God, missions, sanctification, etc) and how important our prayer life is in all these areas (how they build each other up). However, there is very little practical application or advise. It is still a decent read; interesting and still quite relevant for today, even if I don't agree with 100% of his theology.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across the name E.M. Bounds while reading Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, and then found the audiobook for this for free online, so decided to give it a try. It was a little bit of a mixed bag, but the good was really good - I particularly liked the chapters on devotion and consecration.

[David Mccowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short exhortation to pray more ...

A couple of weeks ago I had trouble sleeping for three nights in a row, and only on the third night did I realize I hadn’t even prayed for a good night's rest once. Well I promptly prayed to sleep better, and I honestly don’t remember if I slept well that night or not. I just remember the silliness of having a God who controls the universe and I was having trouble sleeping but didn’t pray about it.

Then I had to do something with my hands and noticed this free as an audiobook on Youtube (also available as a free kindle download) so I started listening.

This book is not a survey of prayers in the bible, or an exposition of on the theology of prayer, it is simply what I said in the first sentence, an short (less than 35k words) exhortation pray more.

First the author makes the argument that prayer is something which takes the entire body (I don’t think Bounds proves his point, though there are times and places for this, I tend to pray in a stream when I am praying well.) The rest of the book moves through things all Christians are in agreement with and then Bounds with some sparse quotes from church leaders & scripture, and some strong words convinces you, challenges you, and dares you, have you prayed about this thing?

Have you prayed about having more Humility? (2) Being more devoted to God (3) Have you been thankful? (4) Are you in trouble? (5) Are you going through tribulation? (6)

Here the book took a turn. Something of the nature of the book changed or me listening to the book and I had to stop listening and start reading. So I switched to the kindle version and kept reading. Prayer and God’s Work (7) focuses on sanctification, then there is being consecrated for God (8), more on being consecrated (9), compassion (10), prayer in groups (11) prayer for everyone (12), and Prayer and missions (13).

By far my favorite chapter was number 7, “Prayer and God’s Work”.

I didn’t really want to like this book, especially when I realized what it really was like but by the end I was looking forward to getting into it when I finished my daily goals in other readings. Like with memorizing and meditation on the God’s word, I tend to enjoy the theology more, but get more utility and from the exhortation. At times, Bounds can seem somewhat circular, I pray because of my love and devotion for God and my devotion is born of prayer. But any believer who has spent time intimately with God will have often had their mind go in such loops.

I’ll probably read it again at some point down the line ...

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book on prayer is based largely but not entirely on the Bible's teachings, I struggled with the tone that comes across here and there. Made me think of "holier than thou" kind of attitude. It's probably my preference to be taught more than to have things being preached "at" me; didn't enjoy the author thinking that most church leaders today are lacking in many areas. I agree that many are lacking, that shouldn't be so underlined throughout a book that should teach us "how we ought to pray". It's practical and if you can pass the author's style, you may quite enjoy it. Oh yes, you may expect to be judged if you go to the opera and so on.
I specifically liked the last part of the book about missions. Here's a quote from the book in relation to it: "They who truly pray will be moved to give. Praying creates the giving spirit. The praying ones will be giving liberally and self-denyingly. He who enters his closet to God will also open his purse to God but perfunctory, grudging assesment giving kills the very spirit of prayer."

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I've read E.M. Bounds. That might disappoint some of my friends since no less than a lot of them recommended Bound's work on prayer. With all the hype, I was expecting somewhat of a letdown. I was pleasantly proven wrong.

This pairs well with Rushdoony and Andrew Sandlin on prayer.

[Emma Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relevant today as it was when it was written

It's hard to believe this was written in the 19th Century. The subjects are so relevant today and so relatable. A must for every Christian who wants to pray more and who doubts that the power of prayer is only for gifted people. A very encouraging read.

[Grace Kenganzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book challenged and rebuked my attitude towards prayer. The writer used the scripture to remind readers that prayer should not be a chore but something we look forward to because it allows us to be intimate with God.

I recommend this book for anyone who has been getting cold and apathetic towards the things of God.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern Version of a Classic

This is an updated version of a classic. Bounds was a great man of prayer, and wrote many books on prayer. This book tries to use modern language. I really don't thin that was necessary. Nevertheless this book was helpful.

[Kim Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very simple look at what we should be looking for and what we should be doing in our prayer life. I listened to in on text to voice and that worked very well. It's an easy read and good way to get our lives in line with what God wants.

[Milisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful call to Christian’s to elevate their prayer lofe and take the gift of prayer in reverence when communicating with God. Great book if you are wanting to grow your prayer life and become more consistent and humble in your prayers.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful message, well delivered.

Many powerful and foundational truths are here laid out in a most sincere and moving manner. Any Christian would do well to give this a prayerful and careful reading.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book interconnected life in prayer with fruit of spirit. how should a character of man with prayer's life. not that practical, but make us evaluate our life.

[Terry W. West · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best writers on prayer I have read thus far.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the older language style may be less appealing to some, the content is good and remains true.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book on prayer.

A bit more on how to prepare yourself for prayer, rather than exactly how to pray or what to pray about though (that is more of what I was looking for.

4.3/5

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book on prayer is shorter than the previous books in this series, to me it was very powerful. I really do recommend this one for anyone studying prayer.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timeless classic.

[Emily Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

used audio version. Great book on pray.

[Tommy Piowaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man - this book is packed full of great wisdom and encouragement to pray. If you are not praying, if you are praying, or if you are interested in prayer - I recommend this book.

[Shannon Maddox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the audiobook edition, which is not listed on Goodreads.

[Beth Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Book of Prayer

Going to read it again and again and you should too if you’re interested in learning how to humble yourself and pray better than you have prayed before

[Andrew Klob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book on prayer! This was my first introduction to EM Bounds and I was not disappointed. Bounds does such a good job of challenging the reader in their prayer life. For instance, Bounds mentions how prayer has to be viewed like an athlete striving to become better at their sport. The Christian has to sweat and work at prayer as it is an exercise that he becomes better at as he spends more time doing it. Bounds expounds on this by discussing how God works in prayer, how prayer requires the whole person, and how prayer is the vessel God uses to accomplish His Will. There are so many good truths in here but all in all I highly recommend this book for all who want to grow in their prayer life.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In another of his classic books, Bounds once again shows his expertise on the subject of prayer. Despite having lived in the late 1800s, I find that most of his talk on the state of affairs relating to culture is still relevant today. He uses a direct, no-nonsense approach in condemning certain behaviors of Christians that still apply to Christians today, and yet his compassion for his brethren is so apparent in his heartfelt pleas for holiness.

With honesty and insight that we should bring into today's culture, Bounds talks about the essential elements of prayer. The author covers subjects like the attitude of humility and the need of the whole man being in prayer to the key components that make up the type of prayer that pleases God, With two chapters covering what troubles mean to the prayer life and how they should draw us to the closet of prayer to ask of God, this book covers an array of essentials that every Christian should have in mind when he or she goes in to pray.

This book is written with a slightly more verbose vocabulary, having been composed in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, but this is a great book for those who want to know what the key parts of prayer are. Bounds makes it clear that there is no formula for the perfect prayer, but that adding in the components that he mentions will make it a fuller, richer time with God. I would recommend this to Christians who want to know more about what is essential to prayer.

[Ingrid Støle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Noen gode betraktninger her, men leseropplevelsen bærer mye preg av at denne boka er gammel, og skrevet på en litt tungvindt måte. Jeg visste ikke om jeg skulle le eller gråte da han forklarer at 'du kan be hvor som helst, bare ikke på ugudelige steder som teatre, danseklubber og barer' (min egen formulering)... 😛