The Wake-Up Call: "The Shining One" – Conversation with Mark McGovern

Podcast: The Wake-Up Call
Host: J.D. Walt (Seedbed)
Guest: Mark McGovern
Episode Date: February 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on an insightful, inspiring discussion between host J.D. Walt and pastor/author Mark McGovern about Mark’s new book, The Shining One: Praying with the Prayer Leader of Heaven. The conversation explores Mark's journey from Midwest roots to leading a prayer-centric church in San Francisco, the transformative power of a true praying church, and the practical revival he and his community experienced through deep consecration, persistent prayer, and an encounter with Jesus as "The Shining One." The episode also delves into the Beatitudes as a pattern for prayer and transformation, and how prayer is not just talking to God, but joining with Jesus in his ongoing intercession.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mark McGovern’s Spiritual Journey (02:26–05:03)

• Raised in an Irish Catholic family, Mark experienced both traditional and charismatic forms of Christianity.

• After a "prodigal season" in college, a teammate led him to Christ and into true discipleship and revival teaching.

• Mark’s move to San Francisco was guided by a series of spiritual confirmations and has since resulted in a vibrant family and ministry life.

  "I've kind of developed this love language, spiritual love language for stained glass and silence...and then off I went to college and I went off the deep end and had a prodigal season." – Mark (02:26)

The Call to Become a Praying Church (05:18–07:42)

• Mark shares how God redirected his vision for ministry from busyness to building a "praying church."

• Initially resistant ("I don't know that I want to do that"), he learns through Teresa of Avila: "We become our prayers."

• A providential experience at a local St. Teresa of Avila church and a transformative visit to a prayer room in Manhattan inspired daily prayer gatherings in his church.

  "[God said] Become a praying church. And I'm like, I don't know that I want to do that. Because Christians are really good at hiding behind prayer." – Mark (05:22)

The Nature of Prayer: Incarnation, Not Delegation (07:42–11:44)

• Discussion on how prayer is often misused as "reverse delegation"—asking God to do things instead of partnering with God.

• Both agree that genuine prayer aligns us with the work of God, moving us from observers to participants.

• Jesus is characterized not only as praying for us, but as inviting us to pray with him.

  "It's almost like an incarnation of our prayers. We become our prayers." – Mark (09:27)
  "Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father living to make intercession for us...but he really wants to pray with us." – Mark (10:01)

The Shining One: Encounter and Revelation (11:44–18:44)

• Mark recounts how his longing to "see the one I'm praying to" birthed the book. Through weeks of repeating that prayer, he experiences a vision of Jesus radiantly praying over him.

• Scriptural reflection on Number 6—the priestly blessing—connects with the vision: "the Lord make his face shine upon you."

• The episode draws parallels to Moses and David’s biblical prayers to "see God's face."

  "Like, wow, he's praying for me and he's inviting me to pray with him. And I'd never thought about that." – Mark (13:19)
  "Prayer is to be this beautiful discovery. Right. So much of my prayer life early on was just...transactional, me praying at him." – Mark (11:01)

Host and Guest Reflect on Transformation (17:19–18:44)

• J.D. and Mark emphasize that prayer is not transactional, but transfigurational. As we behold Jesus, we become like him—a "shining one".

• The core journey: beholding and becoming.

  "You are becoming whom you’re beholding. You are exactly right. You are becoming a shining one." – J.D. (17:20)

Revival in San Francisco: 10 Days of Outpouring (19:38–25:52)

• Mark recounts an unplanned outpouring sparked at a prayer conference, emphasizing spontaneous, Spirit-led worship and deep repentance.

• "Pack a bag" symbolizes readiness for God’s ongoing movement.

• Testimonies of transformation include a former inmate turned evangelist and widespread healing and conversions.

  "We felt like the Lord came close and we just hosted him. We just sat at his feet for 10 days." – Mark (24:54)
  "We had so many unhoused people battling addiction come in, tears rolling down their face, saying, 'I'm allowed to be here?'" – Mark (24:13)

Consecration: The Doorway to Presence (27:33–31:12)

• Consecration is seen as essential preparation for God’s presence, contrasting with American church "convenience culture."

• The prayer room implements a "consecration room" for confession and purification before prayer gatherings.

  "Consecration’s the bread and butter...We’ve lost touch with, like. No, no. I come to meet with the living God. He is eager to meet with me." – Mark (27:50)

The Beatitudes: The Heart of the Shining One (32:30–38:15)

• The Beatitudes are described as Jesus’ prayer for every disciple—the blueprint for transformation.

• Consecration is the "door" through which we enter the "cathedral of transformation," moving from information to revelation.

• The episode includes both reciting and reflecting on each Beatitude.

  "If you look at a life that is the Beatitudes, you’re looking at the life of Jesus like he embodies to the fullest extent each of those Beatitudes." – Mark (34:09)
  "He wants us to become the Beatitudes like Him." – Mark (35:46)

Abiding and Dialogue: True Prayer Partnership (38:15–42:16)

• True prayer is portrayed as ongoing, childlike dialogue—inquiring, listening, and responding—not mere monologue.

• Discussion about letting Jesus reveal what is blocking our prayers.

  "He doesn’t want transactional prayer monologue. He wants back and forth dialogue." – Mark (38:58)

The Book as Seed and Vision (43:13–46:47)

• Mark describes writing the book as an act of revelation, not research, in just 12 days.

• Every book sold enables a free copy to be sent to future leaders as part of a vision for a prayer-saturated Bay Area.

• The Bay Area’s need isn’t more resources or pastors, but prayer—the antidote to pride and spiritual darkness.

  "We are the most prayerless region in the nation. And that's why we're the darkest. Because pride doesn't pray." – Mark (45:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the True Nature of Prayer:
  “We don’t need more information, we need more revelation.” — J.D. Walt (01:04)

• On Becoming a Man of Prayer:
  “I realized that I. I was a man that prayed, but God was calling me to become a man of prayer. Our church prayed, but he was calling us to become a praying church.” — Mark (05:59)

• On Reverse Delegation:
  “So often, like you said, we can hide behind our prayers...I would call it prayer as reverse delegation.” — J.D. (07:42)

• On Consecration:
  “Lord, increase or decrease.” — Mark (27:21)
  “It’s just coming down to the simple core reality of me for you and you for me.” — J.D. (31:12)

• On Nothingness and Dependence:
  “I have nothing, but I give you my nothing.” — Mark, referencing Kathryn Kuhlman (26:19)

• On the Book's Purpose:
  “This is not a book, this is a vision. Write down the vision on tablets so that runners can run with it.” — J.D. (44:22)

• On Multiplication and Awakening:
  "Every book sold is a mustard seed of faith for awakening...it’s a one for one model.” — Mark (44:57)

Timestamps for Key Sections

• Mark’s Background and Calling — 02:26–05:03
• Transition to a Praying Church & Encountering Teresa of Avila — 05:18–07:42
• Reverse Delegation & The True Work of Prayer — 07:42–11:44
• Story Behind ‘The Shining One’ — 11:44–18:44
• San Francisco Outpouring & Testimonies — 19:38–25:52
• Consecration, Confession, and Prayer Room Culture — 27:33–31:12
• Reciting and Applying the Beatitudes — 32:30–38:15
• Abiding and Childlike Dialogue with God — 38:15–42:16
• Book as Movement and Vision — 43:13–46:47

Conclusion

This episode is a rich resource for anyone longing for deeper intimacy with Jesus and a vision for revival through prayer. Mark McGovern’s stories, spiritual insights, and humble wisdom offer an invitation to reimagine prayer as a living, luminous partnership with Christ the Shining One, calling listeners into consecration, transformation, and the joy of becoming radiant through prayer for the sake of the world.

How to Learn More or Join the Movement:

• Get the book: seedbed.com/wakeupcall
• Join daily prayer in San Francisco: praythebay.org
• Contact Mark directly: Visit the prayer room for a free copy.

"You are becoming whom you’re beholding. You are becoming a shining one."
— J.D. Walt (17:20)