“Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
If Paul was so dependent on the prayers of God’s saints to give his ministry success, how much more important is it that the prayers of God’s saints be centered on the ministry of today!
– EM Bounds –
EM Bounds
A Revival of Praying – EM Bounds
We can never expect to grow in the likeness of our Lord unless we follow His example and give more time to communion with the Father. A revival of real praying would produce a spiritual revolution.
– EM Bounds –
The essential element in prayer – EM Bounds
Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element in prayer.
– EM Bounds –
Glowing for holiness, God, and heaven – EM Bounds
He only can truly pray who is all aglow for holiness, for God, and for heaven.
– EM Bounds –
Holy living is essential preparation – EM Bounds
Holy living is essential preparation for prayer.
– EM Bounds–
Jacob’s wrestling – EM Bounds
Jacob wrestled not as much with a promise, as with a Promiser.
– EM Bounds –
Measure of a Church’s Strength – EM Bounds
What is the truest measure of a church’s strength? True strength lies in the vital godliness of the people. The aggregate personal holiness of the members of each church is the only true measure of strength. Any other test offends God, dishonors Christ, grieves the Holy Spirit, and degrades religion.
– EM Bounds –
Paul’s greatest weapon – EM Bounds
Paul was a leader by appointment and by universal recognition and acceptance. He had many mighty forces in this ministry. His conversion, so conspicuous and radical was a great force, a perfect magazine of aggressive and defensive warfare. His call to the apostleship was clear, luminous and convincing. But these forces were not the divinest energies which brought forth the largest results to his ministry. Paul’s course was more distinctly shaped and his career rendered more powerfully successful by prayer than by any other force.
– EM Bounds –
Gratitude and Thanksgiving – EM Bounds
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!” Psalm 75:1
Gratitude and thanksgiving always look back at the past, though they may also take in the present. But prayer always looks to the future. Thanksgiving deals with things already received. Prayer deals with things desired, asked for, and expected. Prayer turns to gratitude and praise when God has granted the things asked for.
– EM Bounds –