Complete Works on Prayer

Edward McKendree Bounds wrote prolifically about prayer during his ministry as a Methodist pastor in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but most of his prayer writings were published posthumously by Homer Hodge, who compiled them from Bounds's manuscripts and notes. This collection gathers together the various books and treatises that emerged from that editorial work, including "Power Through Prayer," "Prayer and Praying Men," "The Reality of Prayer," and "The Essentials of Prayer," among others.

Bounds approaches prayer not as theological theory but as spiritual practice essential to Christian life and ministry. He argues that prayer is the fundamental work of the church, more important than preaching, administration, or any other ministerial activity. His central conviction is that God's power flows through sustained, fervent prayer, and that the effectiveness of any Christian work depends entirely on the prayer life that undergirds it. He emphasizes early morning prayer, prolonged seasons of intercession, and the necessity of persistent asking. Throughout his writings, he draws extensively on biblical examples and church history to demonstrate that spiritual giants across the ages devoted themselves to extended times of prayer, often rising before dawn and spending hours in communion with God.

Bounds's emphasis on prayer as hard work rather than casual conversation has influenced evangelical and Pentecostal prayer movements for over a century. His conviction that prayer requires discipline, time, and sacrifice resonates with those who seek deeper intimacy with God beyond brief daily devotions. Who should read this: Christians who want to develop a more serious prayer life and are willing to be challenged about the time and energy they currently devote to prayer. Those looking for light encouragement or quick prayer techniques should look elsewhere.