The Praying Church: Discovering What the Heart Longs for Through

In this review of The Praying Church, readers seeking practical guidance for starting or strengthening a church prayer ministry will find a grounded, experience-driven resource. Edmund Salas and Charles H Kraft combine personal testimony and pastoral wisdom to explain how to build team-based prayer that is both spiritually powerful and pastorally responsible. The book is best for leaders who want clear protocols and a culture of mutual trust rather than sensationalism, and its primary value is showing how to pursue responsible corporate prayer that keeps God central.

Key Features

• Biblical guidance: Presents a scriptural foundation for prayer ministry so congregations can develop practices that align with church teaching and pastoral oversight.
• Practical protocols: Offers steps and structures to form safe, sustainable prayer teams that protect individuals and the wider church culture.
• Pastoral sensitivity: Emphasizes compassionate care and boundaries so ministers can pray with power without alienating others.
• Personal testimony: Shares Salass journey from tentative prayers to confident ministry, giving readers relatable examples and encouragement.
• Team focus: Encourages collaborative ministry rather than solo performances, helping congregations deepen trust and accountability.

Who It's For

The Praying Church is aimed at pastors, ministry leaders, and small group coordinators who want to start or refine a church-based prayer ministry with clear procedures and spiritual integrity. It will appeal to those who value both the power of prayer and the need for responsible leadership.

Those seeking a devotional only for private reading or readers looking for purely charismatic exercises without structure should look elsewhere; this book prioritizes sustainable ministry models over unregulated practices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Grounded in scripture and pastoral experience, which helps build credibility for church leaders.
• Practical, team-oriented protocols that make prayer ministry replicable and sustainable.
• Balances spiritual power with compassionate boundaries so congregational life is preserved.

Cons

• Not a devotional filled with daily prayers; it is focused on ministry formation rather than personal devotion.

Specifications

Title	The Praying Church: Discovering What the Heart Longs for Through Prayer
Authors	Edmund Salas, Charles H Kraft
Subject	Prayer ministry, church leadership, spiritual formation
Focus	Team-based, biblically grounded prayer ministry practices
Intended audience	Pastors, ministry leaders, prayer team coordinators
Approach	Pastoral testimony combined with practical protocols

Our Verdict

The Praying Church is a valuable resource for leaders who want to cultivate responsible prayer ministries that are both spiritually vibrant and pastorally safe. Its blend of personal experience and practical structure makes it good value for congregations committed to long-term, team-based prayer formation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book give step-by-step guidance for forming a prayer team?
Yes. The authors focus on practical protocols and structures designed to help churches create sustainable, accountable prayer teams.

Is the tone charismatic or strictly academic?
The tone is pastoral and practical, combining testimony with biblical grounding rather than purely academic analysis or unregulated charismatic exercises.

Who will benefit most from this book?
Pastors, ministry leaders, and prayer coordinators seeking to build healthy, team-based prayer ministries will gain the most from its guidance.