In this episode of The Word Shared, Tanya Stead is joined by Mark Woods for a thoughtful conversation about prayer, preaching, and how church leaders can help congregations grow in confidence and faith. Mark reflects on the importance of prayer as a core Christian discipline, while also offering practical, honest wisdom for anyone seeking to deepen their prayer life or encourage others in theirs.

Mark reads from his article, Lord, Teach Us to Pray, which explores how prayer can be nurtured in everyday life and within church communities. He explains that prayer is often treated as a basic habit, but in reality many Christians struggle with guilt, dryness, distraction, or uncertainty. Rather than forcing one “correct” approach, he encourages a healthier, more personal understanding of prayer — one that recognizes different personalities, rhythms, and needs.

From there, the episode moves into practical ideas for encouraging prayer in congregations.

Mark shares eight helpful suggestions, including:

• shared church prayer resources
• praying through scripture
• praying through the house
• the ACTS mnemonic
• stillness and silence
• using technology wisely
• prayer partnerships
• praying the Lord’s Prayer

A key thread throughout the discussion is the idea that prayer should be a blessing, not a burden. Mark emphasises that prayer is deeply personal and that leaders can help people discover their own authentic way of praying. He also reflects on the importance of listening to God, not just speaking to God, and of being open to a genuine two-way conversation in prayer.

The episode closes with a reading of Matthew 6:9–13, including the Lord’s Prayer, and a reminder that even when our own words fail us, we always have the words of Jesus.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• how prayer can become a healthy, life-giving habit
• practical ways to encourage prayer in churches
• the importance of listening as part of prayer
• why vulnerability in preaching must be handled with care
• the value of humility, preparation, and God-centred storytelling

Featured Scripture:

Matthew 6:9–13

In this special archive episode from 2022, we revisit a powerful and deeply insightful conversation with Pastor Marjorie Esomowei, co-pastor of Triumphant Church International, which she planted alongside her husband, Pastor Clem Esomowei.

Speaking with Louisa Lockwood (Editor of Preach magazine), Pastor Marjorie reflects on the release of her book The Leading Lady and opens up about the lessons she’s learned—sometimes the hard way—as well as the blessings that come from trusting God’s voice and faithfully following His assignments.

• Pastor Marjorie’s remarkable journey, including over a decade of ministry in Holland’s red light district
• How a God-given vision for women’s salvation shaped her calling
• The importance of listening to the Lord in every season
• Living a balanced Christian life in today’s world
• Insights on emotional intelligence, including what we can learn from Moses’ anger
• Honest discussion around leadership dynamics, including “alpha male” personalities
• The often-overlooked soul and mental health challenges of lockdown, with a biblical reflection on Noah’s experience after the Ark

Throughout the conversation, Pastor Marjorie draws powerful connections between biblical narratives and modern life, offering wisdom that is both practical and spiritually rich.

• Learn more about Triumphant Church International:
  https://www.triumphant.org.uk/
• Get your copy of The Leading Lady:
  https://theleadingladybook.co.uk/

Most Christians’ views on immigration, refugees, and hospitality are being challenged more than ever. Krish Kandiah’s new edition of God is Stranger reveals how scripture calls us to see God's presence in the stranger—and how neglecting this call risks turning faith into a tool of fear.

This episode breaks down practical ways to embody biblical hospitality, from welcoming refugees into our homes to challenging the narratives that fuel fear. How can we — as individuals and communities — embody Christ’s love in a world fraught with polarization? This episode reminds us that welcoming others is not just kindness—it’s an act of faith, justice, and obedience to God.

Krish Kandiah is founder and director of Sanctuary Foundation, championing refugee and asylum seeker support across the UK. His work challenges believers to reconsider what it truly means to love our neighbour and see God's image in everyone.

God Is Stranger: The Surprising Power of Hospitality (Hodder & Stoughton, 2026) https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/krish-kandiah/god-is-stranger/9781399837774/

Liz Tabish’s portrayal of Mary Magdalene in The Chosen offers a profound look at faith, doubt, and redemption. This episode explores how Liz’s personal journey through depression and renewal brings authenticity to her role, resonating with those seeking grace.

Why does this matter? Because in a culture obsessed with superficial perfection, Liz’s story reminds us that authenticity, pain, and vulnerability are integral to faith. Her journey encourages us to embrace our flaws, recognize that resurrection is a process, and that divine grace meets us right where we are — no matter how broken we feel.

Key Insights:

• Authenticity in Ministry: Embrace vulnerability as a strength in your sermons.
• Media’s Role in Faith: Use storytelling to deepen spiritual connections.
• Women in Scripture: Highlight the equality and complexity of biblical women.
• Personal Growth: Encourage congregants to see their struggles as part of a greater story of grace.

Tune in for inspiration and practical insights to enrich your ministry, please rate our podcast on your favourite streaming platform and share this episode with your friends. Doing this helps us reach more listeners and support those serving in ministry.

For more info: www.lwpt.org.uk

Discover how biblical wilderness journeys mirror our inner struggles and how faith, community, and liturgical practices can provide comfort and resilience in seasons of mental health challenges.

• Connecting Israel’s wilderness journey to mental health struggles
• The significance of lament and honest prayer in faith communities
• The role of patience and ongoing presence in pastoral care
• How liturgical seasons like Advent and Lent foster healing and honesty
• Practical strategies for churches to support members experiencing mental illness
• The importance of rest, recovery, and stepping back in seasons of difficulty
• Introducing Rachael’s new devotional book: Beloved is Where We Begin (SPCK, 2025)

• Beloved is Where We Begin Book - (Link to Rachael’s devotional on Amazon) St Andrew's Books
• Preach Magazine
• Leaders of Worship & Preachers Trust

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In this interview Tanya Stead, editor of Preach magazine, chats with Kirsten Birkett, author of the new Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs.

Kirsten Birkett's commentary on Proverbs offers a fresh perspective on this timeless book of wisdom. By understanding the literary form, appreciating the interconnectedness of wisdom literature, and applying its principles thoughtfully, readers can unlock the profound insights that Proverbs has to offer. Whether for personal study or leadership guidance, Kirsten's work serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to grow in wisdom and understanding.

To get yourself a copy: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/kir...

To read this interview, and enjoy the other articles, in Preach magazine take out membership today: https://www.preachweb.org/membership

To learn more about the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust visit: https://lwpt.org.uk/

In this episode of The Word Shared, Tanya Stead sits down with Tobi Olujinmi to explore the enduring theme of joy in Christ — especially in seasons of suffering.

Drawing on her experience in the TV industry and her love of storytelling, Tobi reflects on how stories shape us, connect us, and even carry us through crisis. Together they talk about the power of Christian community, the importance of vulnerability in the church, and why hope is not naïve optimism but rooted confidence in God.

This is a conversation about honesty, endurance, and the deep joy that sustains us when life feels heavy. Tobi reminds us that suffering is real — but it is not final. Spring follows winter. Joy follows sorrow. And the joy of the Lord truly is our strength.

Listen in for encouragement, perspective, and a renewed vision of what it means to walk together in hope.

To learn more about the book, Light in the Valley of the Shadow of Death from Langham Light in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

To get a copy of the issue, What is Joy, where Tobi reads from: Issue 31 - Joy — Preach magazine - a resource for preachers and worship leaders, putting world events into a biblical context

*this episode is sponsored by Langham Publishing

In this conversation, Charmaine Yip talks with theologian David Ford about his lifelong engagement with the Gospel of John, exploring its authorship, distinctive style, and the depth of meaning woven throughout its pages. David reflects on why John’s Gospel is so central to Christian theology, how it reveals the identity of Jesus, and how its “waves of meaning” invite us to deeper faith, worship and self-understanding.

David also introduces his new Advent resource, Meeting God in John (SPCK 2025), designed to guide individuals and groups through the Gospel during Lent and beyond, offering a way to read Scripture slowly, prayerfully and in community.

In this interview, you’ll discover:
- Why the Gospel of John is essential for Christian faith and theology
- What makes John’s Gospel different from the Synoptic Gospels
- How John reveals the identity of Jesus
- What David means by the “superabundance” of God’s love
- Why reading Scripture with others deepens understanding
- How John invites us to reflect on our own identity and desires
- How to engage with John’s Gospel during Lent and beyond

Explore More Resources

View our Bible Month resources — in-depth Bible teaching for churches and small groups
Discover David Ford’s new Advent resource, Meeting God in John — available now
Explore more Preach resources on our website — articles, workshops, webinars and preaching tools

Preach magazine is a resource of the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust, supporting those called to preach and lead worship.

In this episode, James Catford reads from one of his earlier articles published in Preach magazine, reflecting on the role of personality profiling in Christian leadership. Drawing on his own journey from initial scepticism to thoughtful engagement, James explores tools such as Myers-Briggs and the Enneagram, and how they have shaped his self-understanding and leadership practice.

As he reads and reflects, James considers how personality assessments can help leaders navigate the complexities of human relationships, strengthen communication, and foster healthier team dynamics. He also offers a careful warning against using these tools to label or limit others, instead encouraging their wise and compassionate use as aids to growth, understanding, and collaboration in ministry and beyond.

To read this article in full and explore more thoughtful writing like this, find the issue of Preach magazine or take out membership today to receive access to the magazine and our wider resources.

Preach issue 14 | Whole life Preaching | Spring 2018

Preach membership

Our website: www.lwpt.org.uk

In this thoughtful and engaging conversation, Louisa Lockwood is joined by bestselling author and theologian Philip Yancey, along with theologian and poet Carolyn Whittenall, to explore Yancey’s latest book, A Companion in Crisis (Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd, 2022).

The book is a modern paraphrase of John Donne’s Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, written while Donne was seriously ill during the bubonic plague of the 1600s. Yancey shares how Donne’s raw reflections on suffering, faith, illness, mortality, and trust in God feel strikingly relevant today.

Together, they discuss:

• John Donne’s life as a priest and poet during a time of plague
• Why Donne’s struggles with doubt and death still resonate today
• How faith can survive — and even deepen — in times of crisis
• The communal nature of suffering and our call to compassion
• Why ancient spiritual writings still matter in the modern world

This conversation offers hope, honesty, and depth, inviting listeners to wrestle with big questions and discover how Donne’s words can guide us through our own seasons of pain and uncertainty.

✨ Whether you’re interested in Christian faith, theology, spiritual resilience, John Donne, or finding meaning in suffering, this discussion will encourage and challenge you.

This interview is from 2022 but still offers clarity and wisdom to us today. Leave a comment or review our podcast to learn more.

To view the Bible Month resource: https://www.preachweb.org/biblemonth