Have you ever picked up a book you’ve read before, looked though it again, and thought, “I’d almost forgotten this!”
The reminder of something is even more encouraging than the original learning of it. For me, that’s what reading E. M. Bounds on prayer is like. It’s drinking from a mountain spring that never runs dry.
Thumbing through the chapter “Prayer Fills Mans Poverty With God’s Riches” I’ve made some notes outlined here. I pray you are also encouraged.
The Bible clearly teaches that prayer is meant to be answered by God; that God, as Father, gives to us His children what and when we ask.
Prayer is the basis of relationship of Father and Son. And prayer is the condition of proclaiming the Gospel, defeating the darkness and bringing the Light.
This is basic truth evident through the Testaments, but now ignored by many, and also under attack. We act like we pray, but just for show or pretense or obligation.
You see: prayer is real work; praying is vital work.
Look to Jesus who himself is the illustration, definition, and demonstration of praying.
Paul says prayer is watchfulness and perseverance. Believers are to be alert, vigilant, and steadfast.
Bounds: Prayer is the highest intelligence, the profoundest wisdom, the most vital, joyous, efficacious, and powerful of all vocations.
Have nothing to do with dull, lifeless praying — that is mere routine. Casual, flippant praying is useless. Take serious the chief business that is praying, being skillful and adept like master-craftsman in the great work and high art of prayer.
Let us be so in the habit of prayer, so devoted to prayer, so filled with its rich spices, so ardent by it’s holy flame, that all heaven and earth will be perfumed by its aroma, and nations will be blest by our prayers. E. M. Bounds
So remember these three things:
Sincere supplication moves the heart of God, serious seeking requires our whole being, and steadfast service through prayer transforms both us and our world.
