Teach Us to Pray with David Hinman
Episode Summary
In this episode of the KC Underground podcast, Brian and Cory are joined by David Hinman, a disciple-making leader with New Generations and Phoenix Underground, whose journey has been shaped by both movement strategy and a deepening hunger for the presence of God. Together, they continue the conversation on extraordinary prayer by exploring what distinguishes prayer that fuels movements from what many of us have experienced in the West. David shares from his own story of hitting a wall—moving from activity and ambition into a growing awareness that fruitfulness flows from abiding union with Jesus.
This conversation invites us to examine the gap between talking about prayer and becoming people of prayer. Drawing on global movement contexts, David helps reframe prayer not as a supporting practice, but as the environment where disciple-making is born, sustained, and multiplied. What if the invitation is not simply to pray more, but to be formed differently, to live from intimacy, dependence, and a shared longing for God’s kingdom to take root in real people and places?
Key Themes & Takeaways
1. From Ministry Activity to Movement Prayer
David reflects on moving from traditional church ministry into disciple-making movement work, only to realize that activity can simply be exchanged for a different kind of activity. God began forming in him a deeper realization: fruitful ministry flows from transformation and union with Jesus.
2. Prayer Begins With Intimacy
Movement prayer is not primarily a method. It begins with loving union with Jesus. David highlights that the center of disciple-making is not ambition or achievement, but being compelled by the love of God.
3. Distinctives of Movement Prayer
David shares several qualities often seen in prayer that fuels movements:
Intimacy with Jesus
Total reliance on God
Fervency and deep yearning
Focus on kingdom expansion
Extravagant, uncommon prayer
Strategic and informed prayer
Forceful spiritual warfare
Relentless perseverance
Replication that keeps the DNA of prayer alive
4. Prayer That Prioritizes the Harvest
David contrasts much of Western prayer with the kind of prayer often seen in movements around the world. Movement prayer is deeply focused on open doors for the gospel, persons of peace, disciple-makers, multiplication, and kingdom expansion.
5. Prayer Is Caught Before It Is Taught
Using the story of ducklings learning to fly, David explains that prayer is often best learned by being with people who pray. Like disciple-making, prayer must be modeled, practiced, and imprinted—not merely studied through notes or training materials.
6. Learning to Pray From Union With Christ
David closes by inviting listeners to begin with union with Jesus. Prayer becomes unceasing as we learn to walk in the presence of God throughout the day. From there, prayer hubs, prayer points, and disciple-making efforts can begin to grow naturally.
Final Thoughts
This conversation reminds us that movement prayer cannot be reduced to a formula. It is not just about praying longer or copying what others have done. It is about becoming people who live in intimacy with Jesus, depend fully on God, and pray with His heart for the harvest.
