Behind every fruitful ministry is a deep well of prayer. For Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, prayer is not a religious duty or a public performance—it is the very foundation of his life and calling. Everything he has built, everything he has taught, and everything he continues to carry has been birthed and sustained in the secret place.
From the earliest days of his ministry, Bishop Dag has prioritized personal prayer. He spends long hours in communion with God, not only bringing his requests but also waiting to hear divine instructions. He teaches that prayer is not just about asking—it’s about aligning. It’s where vision is clarified, direction is received, and strength is renewed.
He often reminds pastors and church workers that the ministry cannot be built in the flesh. If it is not birthed in prayer, it will not survive. And his own life is a living example of that truth. The global impact of his ministry today is the result of thousands of hours of unseen intercession.
Teaching Others to Pray
Bishop Dag has not kept the discipline of prayer to himself. He has taught his entire movement to pray. From new believers to seasoned pastors, everyone under his leadership learns to make prayer a lifestyle. He teaches that the strength of a church is not found in its music or its programs—but in its prayer meetings.
His leadership camps are soaked in prayer. His books often include chapters on fasting and spiritual warfare. And his sermons are full of practical instructions on how to develop a strong prayer life. He believes that every Christian—not just pastors—must know how to stand before God in prayer.
Prayer meetings in his churches are not empty rituals. They are vibrant, faith-filled gatherings where burdens are lifted, battles are fought, and victories are won. He encourages both corporate and private prayer, knowing that the two must work hand in hand for spiritual strength to be maintained.
Prayer That Births Vision
Many of the books, church plants, crusades, and leadership structures that define Bishop Dag’s ministry were born in prayer. He receives direction while praying. He sees further when praying. He solves problems in the place of prayer.
He teaches that prayer is not just communion—it is strategy. God gives blueprints in the Spirit. He speaks to those who wait on Him. And that is why Bishop Dag never starts a major assignment without first soaking it in prayer.
He also teaches his leaders to pray in the Spirit for long hours. He emphasizes the importance of speaking in tongues, fasting, and prolonged waiting on God. This kind of prayer builds spiritual sensitivity and authority—and it has been a key ingredient in the growth of the ministry.
A Life That Depends on God
At the heart of Bishop Dag’s prayer life is total dependence on God. He does not pray to impress. He prays because he knows he cannot do the work without the help of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is his lifeline. It is the secret place where he lays down his fears, receives new strength, and stays connected to the true source of power.
Even with a large ministry, a full schedule, and global responsibilities, Bishop Dag continues to prioritize prayer. Because for him, nothing is more urgent. Nothing is more powerful. And nothing bears more fruit than time spent in God’s presence.
His life reminds us all that prayer is not something to fit into our ministry. It is the ministry. And through that commitment, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills continues to be used mightily by God in this generation.