The Apostle Paul encourages Christians to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). How can believers “pray without ceasing” while still carrying on a “normal” life? Can technology help? How are individuals and churches using technology to help increase and improve prayer? What types of apps and websites are available, and what features do they offer?

Individuals and Prayer Apps

Technology is an ever-present and ever-increasing influence in daily life. Understandably, that also extends to the spiritual aspects of life. A Pew Research Center study from 2023 revealed that 28 percent of Americans who identified as “highly religious” use prayer apps or websites. That figure may be skewed by age; the older a highly religious person is, the less likely they are to use religious technology.

There are several ways that individuals and groups can use this technology.

• • Reminders to pray regularly
  • Help track particular prayer requests or prayer emphases
  • Assist in directing thoughts toward spiritual subjects
  • Connect with other believers in prayer
  • Offer resources for meditation and prayer

“I Need Prayer” App

Recently, a new prayer app called “I Need Prayer” was announced by its developer, TL Dream Enterprises. The press release for this app describes it as follows:

• “a platform that offers real-time prayer, spiritual encouragement, and mental health resources within a compassionate global community that bridges cultures and backgrounds.”
• “a secure, welcoming platform for meaningful spiritual connections that uplift and encourage.”
• Featuring “live, interactive prayer requests” and “responses within minutes.”
• Integrated with the 988 Lifeline to provide connection with mental health resources
• Premium features include custom prayer groups, live streaming, and account verification
• “welcomes users from all spiritual backgrounds”

From the press release, it seems that this new app is designed to offer a source for prayer support for those who want someone to pray for them.

Churches and Prayer Apps

Not surprisingly, a number of apps are either directed toward or at least able to be used for group use. Some of these uses include:

• Connecting people in prayer
• Sharing prayer requests
• Categorizing prayers
• Setting up prayer groups
• Organizing prayers

Certainly, these applications can help people to “grow” their prayer involvement. For instance, reminders to pray can function much like other reminders – as with a calendar app. However, the potential benefits are much greater. Reminders of particular subjects for prayer may increase connection between people – both between those who are praying and the people they are praying for, and between people who are praying about the same subjects. Apps may also suggest Scriptural passages that teach about prayer and scripture passages focusing attention on types of prayer – worship, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, petition, intercession, and more.

Furthermore, apps that assist in organizing people to pray together can foster connection within congregations, and the Church as a whole. Praying with and for other people can help people to “look outward,” to become more caring and more alert to others and their needs. James chapter 5 encourages prayer for those who suffer (James 5:13), who are sick (5:14), and those who need forgiveness (5:15). James then says: Therefore confess your sis to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much (James 5;16).

The use of apps for corporate prayer may also increase the amount and frequency of such prayer by making it more convenient and accessible. People may not be able to gather together in person regularly for prayer, but they can connect virtually much more easily – and presumably more frequently. While virtual connection for prayer should not completely replace in-person gathering (as is true with worship), increased availability could well translate into increased participation.

Specific Apps

While this list is not exhaustive, the following are several prayer-related apps (in addition to the new I Need Prayer app) that are available:

Echo Prayer – offers both individual and group plans, with different features and pricing models for small groups and for churches. The individual plan is free and offers the ability to create prayer lists and receive reminders. Individuals can also access feeds from groups and churches, as well as guided prayers. (echoprayer.com)

PrayerMate – offers daily reminders and tracking of the list of items an individual is praying for. It also offers the ability to connect with groups, utilize other prayer resources, and follow the feeds of organizations that participate with PrayerMate.  (prayermate.net)

Prayer Prompter – “is like a two-drawer file cabinet. The top drawer stores and organizes Scripture passages in folders by topic. It comes with 650+ passages from the New American Standard Bible already installed and more can be added. You can change the passages to another version if you want and even delete the passages you don’t like. The bottom drawer stores and organizes prayer requests and answers to prayer in folders.” (Prayerprompter.com)

Ora – allows Christians to anonymously submit prayer requests and see when others are praying for them. The app allows for updating requests. Users are expected to pray for the next request shown to them. There do not appear to be any corporate-related functions (i.e., churches or small groups). (Only available as a smartphone app; features listed are from a review of the app on an iPhone.)

Abide – offers prayer and devotional materials for daily use, directed toward individual meditation. These materials include morning prayers, bedtime prayers, Bible meditation, Spiritual Growth, and others. There is also a premium version of the app which offers more features. (Abide.com)

Conclusions

With the growing acceptance and use of technology by individuals and churches, more people and churches are turning to prayer-related apps to encourage prayer. For individuals, prayer apps offer several types of help, including reminders to pray, the ability to create and track prayer lists, and access to resources related to prayer. For small groups, churches, and other ministries, apps provide the ability to connect members together and encourage prayer among them.

Finally, the recently announced I Need Prayer app provides a source of prayer and encouragement for people who might not otherwise be connected to a group of believers. One thing seems clear: prayer apps can provide assistance and encouragement for those seeking to learn how to pray without ceasing.