From Lawyer to Preacher
Edward McKendree Bounds, born on August 15, 1835, in Shelbyville, Missouri, embarked on an early career as the youngest practicing lawyer in the state. However, during the fervent period of the Third Great Awakening, he felt a profound call to leave his legal profession and dedicate his life to preaching the Gospel. By 1859, Bounds was ordained as a Methodist pastor in Monticello, Missouri.
A Legacy of Prayer
The outbreak of the Civil War drew Bounds into a time of profound challenge and transformation. Arrested by Union troops for refusing to pledge allegiance to the government, he spent over a year imprisoned in St. Louis. Upon his release through a prisoner exchange, Bounds served as a chaplain for the Confederate Army, ministering to soldiers and witnessing powerful revivals in the camps.
His faith was tested further when he was wounded and captured again during the Battle of Franklin in 1864. In the confines of a muddy prison camp, Bounds made a silent vow, "If I cannot speak to the world, I will speak to heaven." He prayed, "Oh God, make me a man of prayer. Let no circumstance rob me of communion. If prison walls shut me in, open heaven wider still."
After the war, Bounds returned to pastoral ministry in Franklin, Tennessee, and later moved to Washington, Georgia. He became known for his unwavering dedication to prayer, rising at 4:00 AM each day to spend hours in communion with God. His prayers were marked by fervor, consistency, and a deep sense of purpose. "Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying," he often said.
Bounds' legacy endures through his writings on prayer, which continue to inspire believers worldwide. His books, such as *Power Through Prayer* and *The Necessity of Prayer*, emphasize the transformative power of earnest communication with God. He once wrote, "The story of every great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer."
E.M. Bounds passed away on August 24, 1913, in Washington, Georgia. His life exemplified a deep commitment to faith and prayer, leaving an indelible mark on the Christian community. Through his dedication, Bounds demonstrated that a life centered on prayer invites God’s active presence and intervention.
