EM Bounds on Prayer

EM Bounds said, “God shapes the world by prayer.” He's totally right. Actually, then, praying is one of the most practical things we can do. So how come it's often the last thing we turn to?

When we're sick, do we go to the doctor first, and then when they're stuck, at last resort, we turn to God in prayer? Prayer should be our first resort, not our last.

There's a man I know, Dale, who was bitten by a copperhead on his farm. He immediately collapsed into unconsciousness. His brother started to pray, “O Lord, if it be your will, please heal Dale.”

His wife, on the other hand, a mighty women of God, prayed boldly, “In the name of Jesus be healed! Dale, in the name of Jesus, wake up!” And he woke up.

Of course they called the paramedics, and he went to the hospital to get checked out, but he was totally fine. Praying was more practical than calling the paramedics. He'd have been dead by the time they got there.

So prayer changes things. Real prayer with authority, from sons and daughters of the King who know they are sons and daughters and know they are wielding his authority. That kind of prayer changes things.