Edward McKendree (E. M.) Bounds (1835-1913) was a Methodist minister and renowned devotional writer. Bounds was born in Missouri and studied law as a young man. After passing the bar he practiced for a short period before accepting a pastorate in Brunswick, Missouri. When the Civil War broke out he refused to serve and was imprisoned. Later he traveled as a chaplain with the Fifth Missouri regiment. After the war he served as pastor at various churches in Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama and worked as an editor at the Christian Advocate. He retired to Georgia and spent the last years of his life writing various books, primarily on the subject of prayer. He was known to pray for several hours each day. His books on prayer, especially Purpose in Prayer and Power through Prayer, have become classics.
