E. M. Bounds, or Edward McKendree Bounds, was a prominent Christian clergyman and author who lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for his books on prayer and spirituality. Here are some quotes attributed to E. M. Bounds:
Quotes About Prayer
“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
“The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.”
“Our praying needs to be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency which will not be denied, and a courage which never fails.”
“Importunate praying is the earnest, inward movement of the heart toward God. It is the throwing of the entire force of the spiritual man into the exercise of prayer.”
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.”
“The little estimate we put on prayer is evidence from the little time we give to it.”
“Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet.”
“Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still.”
“Men are looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.”
“Praying saints are the shock troops of heaven, for them, the church is not a barracks, but a base of supplies.”
“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.”
“The real crisis of our work is a crisis of spirit. We have lost the attitude of prayer.”
“Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished.”
“The church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.”
“Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.”
“No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack.”
“God’s cause is committed to men; God commits Himself to men. Praying men are the vice-regents of God; they do His work and carry out His plans.”
“Prayer is not asking God to do something outside of us but something He desires to do within us.”
“Our great lack is not in external advantages. We lack an entire abandonment to God.”
“Prayer wonderfully clears the vision, steadies the nerves, defines duty, stiffens the purpose, sweetens and strengthens the spirit.”
“Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying.”
“Trouble and prayer are closely related. Trouble often drives men to God in prayer.”
“Praying gives sense, brings wisdom, and broadens and strengthens the mind.”
“Prayer can do anything that God can do, as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent.”
“Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance but taking hold of God’s willingness.”
“We must continue in prayer if we are to get an outpouring of the Spirit. Christ says there are some things we shall not get, unless we pray and fast.”
“Prayer bends the omnipotence of God to our supplications.”
“The prayer closet is the battlefield of the Church; its citadel; the scene of heroic and unearthly conflicts.”
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be.”
“Importunate prayer is the earnest inward movement of the heart toward God.”