E.M. Bounds was born on the 15th August 1835 and died 24 August 1913. He was an extraordinary man and his books on 
prayer are todays Christian classics.
From his book Purpose In Prayer, he writes.
“The prayers of God’s saints strengthen the unborn generation against the desolating waves of sin and evil.”
There’s a thought you might not have considered before. Prays of the saints strengthens the unborn generation. It makes absolute sense, and so if we worry about the generations to come, then pray for the protecting power of God over them.
Yes, E.M. Bounds was certainly a great man of prayer and I have a number of his books. But my favourite author of all time when it comes to prayer, has to be Andrew Murray, a South African minister who lived around the same time as E.M. Bounds. His books – ‘With Christ in the School of Prayer’, ‘The Minstry of Intercession’, ‘Waiting on God’, Absolute Surrender’, and ‘Reaching Your World for Christ’ among many, many others, have had the most profound effect on my life. I find I cannot read any of his books without having my Bible alongside, and stopping along the way to pray and reflect upon his words. What a man of God he was – what a man of prayer! Although Jesus is our ultimate example, I can’t help but think of these words found in Hebrews 13:7: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” As we minister to people in our generation, we are so blessed to be able to learn from God’s faithful men and women who have gone before us. Praise God!
Andrew Murray is a wonderful author, I have several of his books.
I love this! I watched my sister go through 5 years (and all her savings) of unsuccessful court hearings to try and have her son returned to her, only to finally get her to Let Go and Let God, her son was returned within weeks. This week I was reminded of the same story when my daughter’s friend came to our house in tears – her brothers and sister had been ‘stolen’ by the father, who was a convicted criminal and drug dealer, also abusive. This week, after 2 years of court, they were told the children should stay with the father. My first reaction was to think, “Okay, let’s get a good lawyer, let’s call the media…” etc but then I remembered my sister’s situation. Even though both mothers in these cases were christian, they forgot that God takes care of everything – in His time. After settling this lovely girl, with a heart of gold, I just reminded her to pray – to Let Go and Let God. Her mum is so strong in her faith yet she forgot that God cares! Yes, our future generations must be prayed for because if it was left up to courts, media, ‘friends’, even some schools, it would paint a bleak picture indeed.
In our era of instant and fast everything, the kids are losing their way because many parents either don’t care or also lost their way. God is the only one we can rely on to wipe out insurmountable hurdles and problems – we are only human. Funnily enough, it is only when things seem impossible that we think to ask Him.
Lulu, thank you for the personal insight. As I write, I am praying for your sister. Prayer to protect the unborn generation is a beautiful thought.
I hear almost daily of the fear people have for this generation and those to come. They look at the world situation and wonder what hope there is for their children. What a comforting thought that God knows the beginning from the end and if our trust is in Him our fears can be quelled in the wonderful knowledge that there is an over-ruling, wonderful, loving God who will take care of the present and future generations. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end and He can use his faithful followers to pray for all generations – even those who as yet are unborn.