“The Possibilities of Prayer,” by E.M. Bounds
- Get link
- Other Apps
Bounds does not give us a clear definition of what is meant by the term “possibilities,” but the following paragraph may serve the purpose in the overall theme of the book, coupling “possibility” together with “prayer”: “Prayer is a Divine arrangement in the moral government of God, designed for the benefit of men and intended as a means for furthering the interests of His cause on earth, and carrying out His gracious purpose in redemption and providence.” (Ch. IV, “Prayer—It’s Possibilities [part 1]).
“The Possibilities of Prayer” is divided into sixteen chapters. Technically, the chapter titles hint that the original publication could easily have been published in serial form. Because of this format, it becomes evident that the progressions of the lessons are requisite on the previous chapters. A revision of the contents could not only easily reduce the number of chapters to a total of nine, but bring more continuity to the present-day reader. The current divisions remain as follows:
Chapters 2 and 3, “Prayer and the Promises,” discuss the operation of prayer as that which makes the promises of God tangible for the believer. The promises of God are the inspiration for prayer, which focuses the personal nature of the promises for individuals and are not lost in vagueness. Promise fulfillment is dependent on submitting to God by means of prayer.
Chapters 4, 5 and 6, “Prayer—Its Possibilities,” develops the biblical theology of prayer and faith, building on the principle already established: prayer moves God because of our submission to Him. Prayer appeals to God, who accomplishes His purposes in enlarged ways because the subject of prayer is God’s very plan and purposes. “Temporal matters are of a lower order thatn then spiritual, but they concern us greatly. . . . Not to pray about temporal matters is to leave God out of the largest sphere of our being. . . . He who does not pray about temporal matters cannot pray with confidence about spiritual matters.”
Chapter 7, “Prayer—Its Wide Range,” closely examines the role of faith in prayer: feeble faith, feeble praying; vigorous faith, vigorous praying. God’s ability to do exceeds man’s ability to ask. Prayer demonstrates faith in God Himself, who is able to do. When He answers, we are turned away from what He has done to the Himself, from the answer to prayer to the prayer-answerer.
Chapters 8 and 9, “Prayer—Facts and History,” Bounds explains that God has a reputation He alone upholds. This is cause for the saint’s rejoicing and ability to express dependence without distraction on Him through prayer. “There are no small things in prayer, so there are no small things with God.” Chapter 9 presents elements of prayer (showing gratitude, making requests, etc.) and kinds of prayer (closet, crying out, etc.).
Chapters 10 through 12 are on the subject of “Answered Prayer,” the only way to know prayer is accomplished. Here is the division between the act of praying and the power of God. Prayer answered brings enjoyment to communion with God, who works to distinguish Himself. We have assurance in God’s unchanging nature that He will always answer prayer.
Chapter 13, “Prayer Miracles,” is perhaps the strongest of all the chapters. The first paragraph not only explains the contents of the chapter, but also provides the deepest insight regarding prayer: “The earthly career of our Lord Jesus Christ was no mere episode, a sort of interlude, in His eternal life. What He was and what He did no earth was neither abnormal nor divergent, but characteristic. What He was and what He did on earth is but the figure and the illustration of what He is what He is doing in heaven. He is ‘the same yesterday and to-day and forever.’ This statement is the Divine summary of the eternal unity and changelessness of His character. His earthly life was made up largely of hearing and answering prayer. His heavenly life is devoted to the same Divine business.”
Chapter 14, “Wonders of God Through Prayer,” acknowledges the aspect of spiritual warfare and that prayer keeps God’s power in the forefront, before the experience of those who pray. Prayer is not a ritual or performance, but a conversation of our helplessness that includes dependent asking and faithful expectation, measure for measure.
Chapters 15 and 16, “Prayer and Divine Providence,” covers the relationship between prayer and the permissive providence of God and the direct providence of God. God, as the all-wise, order and just superintendent over all things, cannot be ruled out of the world. The one who prayers sees and trusts God without explanation by faith.
Bound’s work here does not stand alone but depends on his other works on prayer. Regardless, this nearly forgotten volume deserves to be revisited occasionally, to serve as a reminder for the Christian concerning the living doctrine and practice of prayer.
“The Possibilities of Prayer” is divided into sixteen chapters. Technically, the chapter titles hint that the original publication could easily have been published in serial form. Because of this format, it becomes evident that the progressions of the lessons are requisite on the previous chapters. A revision of the contents could not only easily reduce the number of chapters to a total of nine, but bring more continuity to the present-day reader. The current divisions remain as follows:
- Chapter 1. The Ministry of Prayer
- Chapter 2. Prayer and the Promises
- Chapter 3. Prayer and the Promises (Continued)
- Chapter 4. Prayer - Its Possibilities
- Chapter 5. Prayer - Its Possibilities (Continued)
- Chapter 6. Prayer - Its Possibilities (Continued)
- Chapter 7. Prayer - Its Wide Range
- Chapter 8. Prayer - Facts and History
- Chapter 9. Prayer - Facts and History (Continued)
- Chapter 10. Answered Prayer
- Chapter 11. Answered Prayer (Continued)
- Chapter 12. Answered Prayer (Continued)
- Chapter 13. Prayer Miracles
- Chapter 14. Wonders of God Through Prayer
- Chapter 15. Prayer and Divine Providence
- Chapter 16. Prayer and Divine Providence (Continued)
Chapters 2 and 3, “Prayer and the Promises,” discuss the operation of prayer as that which makes the promises of God tangible for the believer. The promises of God are the inspiration for prayer, which focuses the personal nature of the promises for individuals and are not lost in vagueness. Promise fulfillment is dependent on submitting to God by means of prayer.
Chapters 4, 5 and 6, “Prayer—Its Possibilities,” develops the biblical theology of prayer and faith, building on the principle already established: prayer moves God because of our submission to Him. Prayer appeals to God, who accomplishes His purposes in enlarged ways because the subject of prayer is God’s very plan and purposes. “Temporal matters are of a lower order thatn then spiritual, but they concern us greatly. . . . Not to pray about temporal matters is to leave God out of the largest sphere of our being. . . . He who does not pray about temporal matters cannot pray with confidence about spiritual matters.”
Chapter 7, “Prayer—Its Wide Range,” closely examines the role of faith in prayer: feeble faith, feeble praying; vigorous faith, vigorous praying. God’s ability to do exceeds man’s ability to ask. Prayer demonstrates faith in God Himself, who is able to do. When He answers, we are turned away from what He has done to the Himself, from the answer to prayer to the prayer-answerer.
Chapters 8 and 9, “Prayer—Facts and History,” Bounds explains that God has a reputation He alone upholds. This is cause for the saint’s rejoicing and ability to express dependence without distraction on Him through prayer. “There are no small things in prayer, so there are no small things with God.” Chapter 9 presents elements of prayer (showing gratitude, making requests, etc.) and kinds of prayer (closet, crying out, etc.).
Chapters 10 through 12 are on the subject of “Answered Prayer,” the only way to know prayer is accomplished. Here is the division between the act of praying and the power of God. Prayer answered brings enjoyment to communion with God, who works to distinguish Himself. We have assurance in God’s unchanging nature that He will always answer prayer.
Chapter 13, “Prayer Miracles,” is perhaps the strongest of all the chapters. The first paragraph not only explains the contents of the chapter, but also provides the deepest insight regarding prayer: “The earthly career of our Lord Jesus Christ was no mere episode, a sort of interlude, in His eternal life. What He was and what He did no earth was neither abnormal nor divergent, but characteristic. What He was and what He did on earth is but the figure and the illustration of what He is what He is doing in heaven. He is ‘the same yesterday and to-day and forever.’ This statement is the Divine summary of the eternal unity and changelessness of His character. His earthly life was made up largely of hearing and answering prayer. His heavenly life is devoted to the same Divine business.”
Chapter 14, “Wonders of God Through Prayer,” acknowledges the aspect of spiritual warfare and that prayer keeps God’s power in the forefront, before the experience of those who pray. Prayer is not a ritual or performance, but a conversation of our helplessness that includes dependent asking and faithful expectation, measure for measure.
Chapters 15 and 16, “Prayer and Divine Providence,” covers the relationship between prayer and the permissive providence of God and the direct providence of God. God, as the all-wise, order and just superintendent over all things, cannot be ruled out of the world. The one who prayers sees and trusts God without explanation by faith.
Bound’s work here does not stand alone but depends on his other works on prayer. Regardless, this nearly forgotten volume deserves to be revisited occasionally, to serve as a reminder for the Christian concerning the living doctrine and practice of prayer.
- Get link
- Other Apps
Popular posts from this blog
“Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?”
July 2004 I went to Kenya, Africa to speak in two Pastor’s Conferences on the subject of Man, Sin and Salvation. At the end of each day I left just over an hour for questions (half the time were questions touching the subject of my lectures, and the other half for “open questions”; that is, people could ask anything). For the next few weeks, I will be sharing the questions that were asked of me, and my answers—and believe me when I say these people really know how to think! Question from Kenya #1: “Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?” [“ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! ’” (Exodus 33:20) was the basis of the student’s question]. Answer: First, consider those who did see God—how did they respond when they saw Him? They were instantly aware of their sinfulness, and God’s holiness and righteousness (to name a few. And notice also that each responded in an attitude of worship, bowing down): Abraham built altars, wors
A Sonnet
“My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, Wherewith whole shoals of martyrs once did burn, Besides their other flames? Doth poetry Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn? Why are not sonnets made of thee? and lays Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight? Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the fame, Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name! Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose Than that, which one day, worms may chance refuse. Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the earth, so doth thy Majesty: Each cloud distills thy praise, and doth forbid Poets to turn it to another use. Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse Why should I women's eyes for crystal take? Such poor invention burns in their low mind Wh
Welcome, May!
The past few weeks have been stressful. Training new employees, dealing with difficult customers, not sleeping well, not exercising (I’ve gained 20 pounds in the last two years), getting through family drama (two life-threatening events in the same day, 2000 miles apart: my dad’s heart attack in NM and a 9 year grandchild starting the rest of his life with Type 1 Diabetes) . . . My CrossFit lifestyle withered into oblivion when I lost my job at the University in 2020, as Covid got going. Deep depression brought me to a standstill as I took a few months to try to reset. Since then, my physical status has been on steady decline. Now my daily schedule looks something like this: Work 3-11 pm (on a good day), Go to bed at 4 am, get up between 10:30 am and noon, get booted up and go back to work. If I get one day off a week I’m fortunate. At least I don’t have to work all night for now. That was the worst. So I haven’t had time or energy to do much, even read, much less write. And since my