John Whaley brings over 40 years of ministry experience to every conversation, including 21 years as a pastor. He currently serves as Chief of Staff for Prayer at the Heart and as Senior North American Pioneer and Executive Pioneer for The Rooftop International. A passionate teacher of the Word and advocate for united prayer, John previously led a city-wide Pastors Prayer Movement in Alabama that united leaders across denominational lines. He now serves on the National Prayer Committee in the United States and has preached the Gospel throughout the U.S. and in countries including Romania, Germany, France, Poland, Austria, South Africa, and South Korea.

John’s deepest burden is to see every local church awakened to the priority of prayer, the passion of the Father, and the power of the Gospel. He longs for pastors in every city to pray and labor together as one, and for believers to step beyond the walls of their buildings to transform their cities with the Gospel and make disciples who make disciples.

John is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and lives in Hickory, North Carolina, with his family.

Prayer at the Heart is a national prayer movement dedicated to igniting spiritual awakening in America through unified, humble, and biblically grounded prayer.

Their bold mission is simple yet powerful: “One Million Praying. One Million Saved. 50 Days. One God.”

The organization is mobilizing 1 million Christians to pray specifically for 1 million Americans to come to faith in Jesus Christ. This 50-day focused prayer campaign runs from Passover to Pentecost (April 5 – May 24, 2026) and builds toward the America 250 National Prayer Initiative — coordinated public prayer gatherings in all 50 states on July 4, 2026, as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.

At its core, Prayer at the Heart calls the Church back to the heart of God through repentance, renewed passion for prayer, and bold witness. Rooted in 2 Chronicles 7:14, the movement emphasizes that real cultural and spiritual change begins when God’s people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. Rather than top-down programs, PATH focuses on grassroots activation — everyday believers praying for friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, while churches open their doors and leaders unite across denominational lines for city-wide and nationwide prayer.

The initiative was piloted in Northeast Ohio and is now scaling nationally. It equips participants with free prayer guides, trains state and county representatives, and encourages visible prayer in public spaces such as campuses, workplaces, neighborhoods, and city halls.

Leadership includes:

• Dr. P. Douglas Small – President & Executive Director (vision carrier for over 30 years)
• Garry Bryant – Vice President & Chairman of the Board
• John Whaley – Chief of Staff (featured guest)
• Additional board members and advisors with deep experience in evangelism, revival, and church leadership.

The movement is proudly endorsed by Dr. Franklin Graham and Dr. Ronnie Floyd.

Individuals and churches can get involved by:

• Committing to pray for one specific person and receiving the free 50-day Prayer Guide
• Becoming a state or county representative
• Hosting or joining local prayer gatherings
• Supporting the work through prayer and giving (current matching-gift opportunity)

In short, Prayer at the Heart believes that if America returns to prayer, God will return in power — and they are calling believers to be part of that historic move right now.

https://prayerattheheart.org/