Prayer is God's idea. His great invitation. Prayer is essential. Prayer is the primary means by which God involves His children in what He wants to do in His world. Prayer was a primary focus of the best church ever—the apostolic church, as in Acts 2:42. Yet, way too often our prayer meetings seem boring, are poorly attended, and unexciting ... when they ought to be one of the most exciting times of our lives. There is no doubt that there is a huge spiritual warfare component that is part of our unwillingness to pray. The enemy of our souls is like being robbed in an alley ... a struggle ensues, and then a knife appears. Suddenly, the battle changes. Whoever controls the knife pushes the narrative. The same is true of prayer, and of our prayer meetings. Is there anything practically that can be done? Guest show host Tim Brown interviews Bill Holdridge of Poimen Ministries on this intriguing and hopefully helpful subject. Suggestions are made—hopefully helpful—that can may help us transform the prayer culture in our churches.

Bob Claycamp has been there, done that. He's been a church planter, a longtime senior pastor in North Phoenix, a Christian commune Bible teacher, a senior pastor in Exeter, England, a transitional senior pastor, and since 2010, has served with our team of Poimen Ministries pastors. Bob says, "Sometimes (in searching for leaders) we are looking for a product, and we get a project." Bob says, "When you're looking to identify leaders, begin by looking within your own fellowship." In other words, look for the characteristics of a servant-leader in a man, even if they've not been developed yet. Bob has an eye for leaders. He knows what a true, Biblical leader looks like. He knows how to identify them, coach them up, and help them see their place in the body of Christ. Bob's contention is that the leaders you need may already be in your church. When the essential qualities in a man are recognized, then it's time to pour in to them, so that they will pour out. Wise pastors will seek wisdom from wise pastors who have gone before them. Bob's counsel is simple, and it works.