Although much of his writing was aimed at preachers, all Christians can can learn from his enthusiastic instruction on prayer.
Here are five of the most profound lessons I’ve learned about prayer by studying the words penned by E.M. Bounds more than a century ago.
1 – Preaching is not a performance; it is the outflow of a life dedicated to prayer.
Bounds was convinced that prayer was to be a pillar of the pastoral life. When he taught on the subject of prayer and the pulpit, he declared, “Prayer is the preacher’s mightiest weapon. The real sermon is made in the closet. Every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God’s work.”
Practical takeaway: Authenticity and humility are key attributes of the prayer-filled life. If we want to make a difference during our time on earth, we must learn to invest ourselves in the practice of prayer.
2 – God doesn’t anoint plans; He anoints people—people of prayer!
Bounds writes, “the true ministry is God-touched, God-enabled, and God-made.” He goes on to say, “Prayer lies at the root of all personal godliness.”
Practical takeaway: The best-laid plans cannot withstand the devastating consequence of poor moral character. If you want to have an effective ministry, you must commit to the process of becoming an effective minister.
3 – The heart of our time (the best of our time) must be given to prayer.
Prayer is not to be an afterthought. It is not to be used only “in case of emergency.” It is to be the priority of our lives. As Bounds says, “the closet first, the study and activities second, both study and activities freshened and made efficient by the closet.”
Practical takeaway: Prayer is serious work and must be given a regular spot in our calendar. If you don’t prioritize time in prayer, don’t expect to have the power you need to live a fruitful life.
4 – No earthly ministry will have eternal impact without much prayer.
Prayer is the power source of the Christian life. When we fail to pray, we fail to invite the power of God into our life and ministry. Every facet of Christian ministry should be the outflowing of prayer.
Practical takeaway: Every facet of Christian ministry should be the outflowing of prayer. We may disagree on theology, but we must be unified in prayer.
5 – Endurance and fruitfulness in ministry are rooted in faithful prayer.
Bounds writes, “No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer, and no man can be a man of prayer who does not give much time to praying.” If God is not our first thought in the morning, He will be an afterthought the rest of the day.
Practical takeaway: In the same way that Christ found strength in communion with God, so must we! Begin the day with prayer, and don’t stop praying until your work is complete.
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Abiding
Run that Ye May Obtain [podcast]
Don’t Walk. “Run.”
Saints we are finishing honest, holy, humble, repentant – crucified with Christ and confessing and never covering any sin (Proverbs 28:13).
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
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Abiding
“I have Espoused you to one Husband” [podcast]
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28
After detailing the things that would be occuring in the earth before His return, Jesus then instructs us what to do: “look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
We’ve come way to far to turn back now.
Now that the LORD has found and saved you, you are now engaged to be married eternally to Christ, the Great Bridegroom.
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2
The word “chaste” is defined this way:
ἁγνός
hagnos
hag-nos’
From the same as G40; properly clean, that is, (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect: – chaste, clean, pure.
One source notes:
“The phrase “I have espoused you to one husband” is from the Bible, specifically 2 Corinthians 11:2. It is spoken by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, where he uses a metaphor of a father ‘betrothing’ a daughter to a groom. In this context, he is the spiritual father who has led them to believe in Christ, and he has now given them to Christ, the one husband, as a pure virgin bride.
- Spiritual father: Paul compares himself to a father who has arranged a marriage for his daughter.
- The Church as the bride: The church is the ‘daughter’ being given in marriage.
- Christ as the husband: Christ is the one husband to whom the church is being betrothed.
- Purity and faithfulness: Paul’s ‘godly jealousy’ is his fear that the church will be led away from its pure and simple devotion to Christ, much like Eve was deceived. He wants to present them to Christ as a ‘chaste virgin.'”
What bride is Jesus returning for?
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
How we know His bride:
The true bride of Christ that He is returning for is in the Word, being sanctified and cleansed by it “with the washing of water by the word.” Jesus is returning for His remnant body, bride who are known in that they are walking, living in the Word. They are obedient to read and obey Him, it. Read Psalm 1.
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalms 1:2-3
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. … 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22; 24:13
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10
PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please make me holy. Anoint my life to the death and burial of self that You might raise me up daily in Your victory and fruitfulness. Unite my heart to fear Thy name dear LORD. Into Your hands I here and now submit my spirit and life. In Jesus’ name.
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Abiding
“Your Redemption Draweth Nigh” [podcast]
“Great podcast!” Robin Figtree
“Amen! This verse is hope for the remnant believers! As we are not to be like the world and the lukewarm Christians whose hearts are failing them for fear. Luke 21:26. But we are to put our hope and faith in our blessed Saviour who will come like a thief in the night. We are to live with an eternal perspective. And not to live in despair, hopelessness, and fear.” Karen Cochran
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28
After detailing the things that would be occuring in the earth before His return, Jesus then instructs us what to do: “Look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
Hebrews 10:35-39
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Jesus told us to “look up, and lift up your heads” when we see the signs of the end which would indicate His soon return. Rather than being overly preoccupied with the signs and Satan’s agents that Christ told us would be most evident just before His return, we should be all the more seeking the face of the Lord. Jesus is coming which should hasten us to do the ministry commission He left us to do—edify, nourish, teach and send forth His people into ministry to make Him known to the lost (Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15, etc.).
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Are you nourishing your heart daily in God’s Word? Who will you build up in Christ today?
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Prayer: LORD, please root me soundly in You this day. Produce the fruit and good works in this vessel that glorify You. Help me to nourish, edify, and equip others of Your beloved people. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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