The 24-7 Prayer Podcast has been created to celebrate the stories of God at work across the 24-7 Prayer movement, and to inspire you to grow in prayer and be practically equipped to pray for awakening. It’s hosted by 24-7 Prayer’s International Prayer Director Brian Heasley and 24-7 Prayer community leader and pastor Hannah Heather.
How do you live through a revolution and an explosion and still keep your faith? In the first episode of the 24-7 Prayer Podcast, Hannah and Brian speak to Christelle, the National Director of 24-7 Prayer Lebanon. She shares what it was like to set up a prayer tent in the middle of the 17 October Revolution, the devastating impact of the 2020 explosion in Beirut, and how talking about God on social media is changing minds and hearts in her nation. Christelle tells stories of how God has showed up in dreams, saved lives, and helped her to hope in the bleakest moments.
How does prayer transform a community? In this episode of the 24-7 Prayer Podcast, Hannah and Brian hear from Charl, who helps to lead a small church with a big impact. She tells the story of how a group of parents praying and making toast led to an after-school café and prayer space where young people ask their questions, meet with God, and even see miraculous answers to their prayers. Prayer and mission can feel separate – Charl’s a self-proclaimed ‘mission person’ eager to see God rescue people and transform their lives – but she’s discovered prayer as the fuel of her life and her community. She shares about the rhythms of community prayer that keep her going through all seasons.
What does this generation of youth have to teach us? And how can we support them? Hannah and Brian are joined by Josh Green, the Youth Director of 24-7 Prayer Great Britain. Josh shares about the rising desire for God that he’s seeing in today’s young people and gives his best advice for parents and for youth leaders seeking to empower their young people into lives of prayer. This is an episode not just for parents and those in youth ministry, but for anyone who is interested in how God is moving in our culture.
What’s it like to uproot your whole life for God? Hannah and Brian are joined by Andy and Helen Taylor, who lead 24-7 Prayer Peru. Andy and Helen talk about what led them to give up their lives in Britain and move their family to Cusco, Peru, following God’s call. They describe how God has been pouring out His presence, bringing unity among churches and miraculous healing to those who need it. Is an awakening stirring in Peru?
What role could a new monastic order play in the church today? Brian and Hannah talk to Jill Weber, the Global Convener of the Order of the Mustard Seed (OMS), as she describes her ‘Great Experiment’ - can ancient monastic practices help us to follow Jesus today? Jill explains how seeking to honour her OMS vows has led her on countless adventures, from spaghetti nights in a crack house to church services in the red-light district. She discusses how personal and communal monastic practices can support us to live attentive and responsive to the presence of God.
Is the church in the West asleep? Brian and Hannah are joined by Pete Portal, who lives with his family in Manenberg, a township in South Africa. Pete and his wife share their lives with young men coming out of addiction and gang violence, and they’ve seen God do incredible things in their community. Pete talks about how to grieve well in a context full of loss, violence, and injustice, and how Jesus enables impossible hope. He describes how a life in ministry has confronted him with how drastically God’s idea of success is different from the world’s. How has a worldly idea of success crept into the goals of the church? And what’s the solution?
How do we pray when all we have is silence? Hannah and Brian are joined by Lucy Hill, the National Director for 24-7 Prayer in Ireland. In this wise and vulnerable conversation, Lucy opens up about times of profound loss in her life. How do we meet with God in the midst of suffering? And how do we hold space for those who are grieving? Healing is needed for nations as well as individuals, and Lucy, Brian and Hannah move on to discuss the nations of Ireland and Northern Ireland, reflecting on the legacy of pain and the hope for awakening in this context. How do we pray for a nation? What does it look like to truly love your neighbour?
What does the Catholic tradition have to teach about prayer? In this episode Hannah and Brian, two Protestants, are joined by two Catholics: Christoph Neuwirth, the National Leader of 24-7 Prayer Austria, and Father Wolfgang Kimmel, a Catholic priest in Vienna and member of the charismatic Catholic community Loretto. Brian and Hannah bring some frequently-asked-questions to Christoph and Father Wolfgang – what does it mean to pray the Rosary? Do Catholics pray to Mary? – and explore some of the similarities and differences between traditions with curiosity and humility. Christoph and Father Wolfgang share about the profound impact that prayer has made in their lives, and they tell stories about how day-and-night prayer rooms have transformed their communities in an ‘explosion of mission.’
Can joy and pain co-exist? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Farshid, an Iranian pastor who spent 1,820 days in prison with 361 days in solitary confinement because of his faith in Jesus. Farshid tells the story of how he came to know Jesus, despite living under a regime where it is illegal to become a Christian. He shares his incredible journey to become a pastor himself, and what happened when the police arrested his entire ministry team, leading to his own imprisonment. He explores questions like can you have joy during deep suffering?
How can the church respond to injustice and discrimination? Speaking with particular reference to racial discrimination in the United States, yet with wisdom for the whole of the church, Lisa talks about the practical steps we can do to confront injustice in our unique contexts. This gracious and hope-filled conversation covers many questions - what does ‘unity in diversity’ really mean, and can it happen in the church? Does the call for justice distract from message of the gospel? How do we persist in pursuing change without burning out?
Could you pray for two years straight? “The doors in Sa Penya are hard to open.” That’s what Lydie Hampson was told when she and her family first moved to Ibiza and started to pray for “The Forgotten City”, the neighbourhood of Sa Penya where Ibiza’s Roma community live. It would take two years of persistent prayer before they saw any breakthrough. Lydie helps to run 24-7 Ibiza, and for the first episode of the second season of the 24-7 Prayer Podcast, Brian and Hannah talk with her about the 10-year journey from moving her young family in response to God’s call, all the way to seeing the first Roma expressions of church spring up. She discusses a practical approach to prayer walking, tells incredible stories about life on mission with her kids, and offers inspiration to anyone who wants to see their own community get to know Jesus.
When it’s illegal to share your faith, how does the gospel spread? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Chrisanne Chin, the director of 24-7 Prayer Malaysia. She describes what it’s like to be a Christian in a nation where there can be harsh penalties for coming to faith. What can the global church learn from the experience of Malaysian Christians? Chrisanne used to be an investment banker, and she shares the miraculous story that led to her leaving that behind to lead a prayer movement (it involves being followed by a private investigator!) Finally, Chrisanne dives into “awakening” more deeply: what does it look like, not only in Malaysia, but all over the world? What is God asking of us to get there?
And what’s the cure for compassion fatigue? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Erik Jespersen, the head of social transformation at Emmaus Rd Church and one of the founders of The Lighthouse, an award-winning hub for community support. Together, they explore questions like: How do we centre people over projects? How do we start to get God’s heart for our community? How do you give people a sense of dignity? And how do you offer to pray for an atheist? This conversation is both very practical and deeply inspiring, as Erik tells amazing stories of how God has transformed lives through simple acts of kindness. If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in your community, but haven’t been sure where to start, you’ll enjoy this one.
Prophetic ministry has encouraged so many people over the years – and hurt people, too. What does the church need to consider and change about the way we think about prophecy? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Christine Westhoff, author of Reframing the Prophetic and founder of Akouo ministries. They look at what Biblical prophecy is (and isn’t!), consider how to make sure prophetic ministry is safe and trustworthy, and, finally, they swap some stories of times they’ve (sometimes hilariously) gotten it wrong.
Prophetic ministry has encouraged so many people over the years – and hurt people, too. What does the church need to consider and change about the way we think about prophecy? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Christine Westhoff, author of Reframing the Prophetic and founder of Akouo ministries. They look at what Biblical prophecy is (and isn’t!), consider how to make sure prophetic ministry is safe and trustworthy, and, finally, they swap some stories of times they’ve (sometimes hilariously) gotten it wrong.
And what’s the cure for compassion fatigue? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Erik Jespersen, the head of social transformation at Emmaus Rd Church and one of the founders of The Lighthouse, an award-winning hub for community support. Together, they explore questions like: How do we centre people over projects? How do we start to get God’s heart for our community? How do you give people a sense of dignity? And how do you offer to pray for an atheist? This conversation is both very practical and deeply inspiring, as Erik tells amazing stories of how God has transformed lives through simple acts of kindness. If you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in your community, but haven’t been sure where to start, you’ll enjoy this one.
When it’s illegal to share your faith, how does the gospel spread? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Chrisanne Chin, the director of 24-7 Prayer Malaysia. She describes what it’s like to be a Christian in a nation where there can be harsh penalties for coming to faith. What can the global church learn from the experience of Malaysian Christians? Chrisanne used to be an investment banker, and she shares the miraculous story that led to her leaving that behind to lead a prayer movement (it involves being followed by a private investigator!) Finally, Chrisanne dives into “awakening” more deeply: what does it look like, not only in Malaysia, but all over the world? What is God asking of us to get there?
Could you pray for two years straight? “The doors in Sa Penya are hard to open.” That’s what Lydie Hampson was told when she and her family first moved to Ibiza and started to pray for “The Forgotten City”, the neighbourhood of Sa Penya where Ibiza’s Roma community live. It would take two years of persistent prayer before they saw any breakthrough. Lydie helps to run 24-7 Ibiza, and for the first episode of the second season of the 24-7 Prayer Podcast, Brian and Hannah talk with her about the 10-year journey from moving her young family in response to God’s call, all the way to seeing the first Roma expressions of church spring up. She discusses a practical approach to prayer walking, tells incredible stories about life on mission with her kids, and offers inspiration to anyone who wants to see their own community get to know Jesus.
How can the church respond to injustice and discrimination? Speaking with particular reference to racial discrimination in the United States, yet with wisdom for the whole of the church, Lisa talks about the practical steps we can do to confront injustice in our unique contexts. This gracious and hope-filled conversation covers many questions - what does ‘unity in diversity’ really mean, and can it happen in the church? Does the call for justice distract from message of the gospel? How do we persist in pursuing change without burning out?
Can joy and pain co-exist? In this episode, Hannah and Brian are joined by Farshid, an Iranian pastor who spent 1,820 days in prison with 361 days in solitary confinement because of his faith in Jesus. Farshid tells the story of how he came to know Jesus, despite living under a regime where it is illegal to become a Christian. He shares his incredible journey to become a pastor himself, and what happened when the police arrested his entire ministry team, leading to his own imprisonment. He explores questions like can you have joy during deep suffering?
What does the Catholic tradition have to teach about prayer? In this episode Hannah and Brian, two Protestants, are joined by two Catholics: Christoph Neuwirth, the National Leader of 24-7 Prayer Austria, and Father Wolfgang Kimmel, a Catholic priest in Vienna and member of the charismatic Catholic community Loretto. Brian and Hannah bring some frequently-asked-questions to Christoph and Father Wolfgang – what does it mean to pray the Rosary? Do Catholics pray to Mary? – and explore some of the similarities and differences between traditions with curiosity and humility. Christoph and Father Wolfgang share about the profound impact that prayer has made in their lives, and they tell stories about how day-and-night prayer rooms have transformed their communities in an ‘explosion of mission.’
How do we pray when all we have is silence? Hannah and Brian are joined by Lucy Hill, the National Director for 24-7 Prayer in Ireland. In this wise and vulnerable conversation, Lucy opens up about times of profound loss in her life. How do we meet with God in the midst of suffering? And how do we hold space for those who are grieving? Healing is needed for nations as well as individuals, and Lucy, Brian and Hannah move on to discuss the nations of Ireland and Northern Ireland, reflecting on the legacy of pain and the hope for awakening in this context. How do we pray for a nation? What does it look like to truly love your neighbour?
Is the church in the West asleep? Brian and Hannah are joined by Pete Portal, who lives with his family in Manenberg, a township in South Africa. Pete and his wife share their lives with young men coming out of addiction and gang violence, and they’ve seen God do incredible things in their community. Pete talks about how to grieve well in a context full of loss, violence, and injustice, and how Jesus enables impossible hope. He describes how a life in ministry has confronted him with how drastically God’s idea of success is different from the world’s. How has a worldly idea of success crept into the goals of the church? And what’s the solution?
What role could a new monastic order play in the church today? Brian and Hannah talk to Jill Weber, the Global Convener of the Order of the Mustard Seed (OMS), as she describes her ‘Great Experiment’ - can ancient monastic practices help us to follow Jesus today? Jill explains how seeking to honour her OMS vows has led her on countless adventures, from spaghetti nights in a crack house to church services in the red-light district. She discusses how personal and communal monastic practices can support us to live attentive and responsive to the presence of God.
What’s it like to uproot your whole life for God? Hannah and Brian are joined by Andy and Helen Taylor, who lead 24-7 Prayer Peru. Andy and Helen talk about what led them to give up their lives in Britain and move their family to Cusco, Peru, following God’s call. They describe how God has been pouring out His presence, bringing unity among churches and miraculous healing to those who need it. Is an awakening stirring in Peru?
What does this generation of youth have to teach us? And how can we support them? Hannah and Brian are joined by Josh Green, the Youth Director of 24-7 Prayer Great Britain. Josh shares about the rising desire for God that he’s seeing in today’s young people and gives his best advice for parents and for youth leaders seeking to empower their young people into lives of prayer. This is an episode not just for parents and those in youth ministry, but for anyone who is interested in how God is moving in our culture.
How does prayer transform a community? In this episode of the 24-7 Prayer Podcast, Hannah and Brian hear from Charl, who helps to lead a small church with a big impact. She tells the story of how a group of parents praying and making toast led to an after-school café and prayer space where young people ask their questions, meet with God, and even see miraculous answers to their prayers. Prayer and mission can feel separate – Charl’s a self-proclaimed ‘mission person’ eager to see God rescue people and transform their lives – but she’s discovered prayer as the fuel of her life and her community. She shares about the rhythms of community prayer that keep her going through all seasons.
How do you live through a revolution and an explosion and still keep your faith? In the first episode of the 24-7 Prayer Podcast, Hannah and Brian speak to Christelle, the National Director of 24-7 Prayer Lebanon. She shares what it was like to set up a prayer tent in the middle of the 17 October Revolution, the devastating impact of the 2020 explosion in Beirut, and how talking about God on social media is changing minds and hearts in her nation. Christelle tells stories of how God has showed up in dreams, saved lives, and helped her to hope in the bleakest moments.
