Have you ever heard of Rev. E. M. Bounds? Neither had I, until a few years ago. I traveled to Greenville, S. C. to speak at a Lee-Jackson Day dinner sponsored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. My good friend, Kay Waite, accompanied me.

The following day another good friend, Jack Marlar, SCV field representative, took us on a tour of the beautiful antebellum town of Washington, Georgia. We had a delightful day and toured the Robert Toombs House which is a museum. I was thrilled to see the trunk that Jefferson Davis left there during his flight. Then we went into another small room that looked like a study and a Bible was open on the desk.

Jack told me that this furniture was from the study of Rev. E. M. Bounds. I gave him a blank look. He said, “E. M. Bounds is my hero. He arose every morning at 4 a.m. and prayed for three hours. He wrote books about prayer.” It thought “that’s nice,” but it didn’t have much impact on me.

Soon after that I began participating in “Pray Culpeper,” a non-denomination group of Christians who were praying for the transformation of our community. These prayer warriors prayed with exuberance in the knowledge that nothing is impossible for God. My faith began to grow. One of them, Hagazi Kebede, mentioned that I should read “E. M. Bounds on Prayer.” But I procrastinated.

A few weeks later when I was discussing “Pray Culpeper” with my United Methodist minister, Pastor Randy Orndorff, he said, “You know, a United Methodist minister, E. M. Bounds, wrote the definitive book on prayer.” Finally, the wheels in my muddled mind began to churn, the “aha” light bulb went off, and I said, “Did he live in Washington, Georgia?”

When he nodded yes, I immediately went home and ordered “E. M. Bounds on Prayer,” and am I ever glad. This book changed my life and grew my faith and prayer life exponentially. The book’s introduction says;

Since the time of the apostles, no man besides Edward McKendree Bounds has left such a rich inheritance of research into the life of prayer.

It took three times for me to finally hear God’s voice about this book. God didn’t take me to Washington, Ga. to see Jefferson Davis’ trunk. He took me to learn about E. M. Bounds. It is amazing that this man, who suffered such brutality at the hands of the Union Army, has had such a profound impact on my life, and his writings have encouraged me to persevere with promotion of “Marching Through Culpeper” and the movie project.

May this uplifting quote entice you to read “E. M. Bounds on Prayer:”

Prayer is the tongue of faith. God’s promises to answer, to do, and to give “all things,” “anything,” “whatsoever,” and “all things whatsoever” are so large, so great, so exceedingly broad, that we stand back in amazement and give ourselves over to questioning and doubt. We stagger at the promises through unbelief. In reality, we have pared down the promises of God about prayer to match our little faith, and have been brought down to the low level of our narrow notions about God’s ability, liberality, and resources.

Prayer Power:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for being a patient, loving God who gives us second and third chances. Thank you for pointing me to the writings of E. M. Bounds, and for the rich spiritual legacy he has left for future generations. I pray that each one reading this will grow spiritually by praying bigger prayers. Guide and direct us so that we may leave a legacy that inspires unborn generations and honors You.

In the precious name of Your Son Jesus, who said “Whatsoever you ask in My name, it shall be given.” Amen