Pray.com
{{Short description|Religion-focused social networking service}}
Pray.com is a Christian social networking service and mobile application designed to facilitate religious communities. Launched in 2016, it was founded by Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter.{{cite news|last=|first=|date=April 24, 2018|title=Pray.com offers social network for prayer, community-building|work=Catholic Courier|agency=Catholic News Service|location=|url=https://catholiccourier.com/articles/praycom-offers-social-network-for-prayer-community-building|access-date=January 31, 2021}} The platform offers features for social networking, daily prayers, sermons, biblical content, and podcasts.{{Cite web |last=Wellness |first=Daily Cup of |date=2021-05-17 |title=How Prayer Helps Your Mental Health |url=https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/dailycupofwellness/2021/05/how-prayer-helps-your-mental-health.html |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=Daily Cup of Wellness |language=en-US}}
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased Pray.com's user base, with downloads surging by 955%.{{cite news |last=Heilweil |first=Rebecca |date=March 27, 2020 |title=This social network for churches is thriving in the coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/3/27/21194239/coronavirus-churches-online-pray-com |access-date=January 31, 2021 |work=Vox |location=}}{{cite news |last=Cutchin |first=James |date=April 13, 2020 |title=Pray.com Answers Call for the Digital Faithful |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2020/apr/13/praycom-answers-call-digital-faithful/ |access-date=January 31, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Business Journal |location=}}{{cite news |last=Davalos |first=Jacqueline |date=October 11, 2020 |title=Venture Funders Flock to Religious Apps as Churches Go Online |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-11/venture-funders-flock-to-religious-apps-as-churches-go-online |access-date=January 31, 2021 |location= |agency=Bloomberg News}}{{Cite news |date=11 October 2020 |title=Venture Funders Flock to Religious Apps as Churches Go Online |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-11/venture-funders-flock-to-religious-apps-as-churches-go-online |access-date=2021-06-05 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com}} During this period, the platform collaborated with churches to support virtual ministry services as in-person gatherings were restricted. The Federal Election Commission issued an opinion in 2021 that allows the platform to feature members of the United States Congress.{{Cite web |title=FEC OKs Members of Congress Appearing in Online Commercial Content |url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/fec-oks-members-of-congress-appearing-3107429/ |access-date=2021-06-05 |website=JD Supra |language=en}}
Pray.com serves as a specialized social media platform for religious groups.{{cite news|last=Heilweil|first=Rebecca|date=March 27, 2020|title=This social network for churches is thriving in the coronavirus pandemic|work=Vox|location=|url=https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/3/27/21194239/coronavirus-churches-online-pray-com|access-date=January 31, 2021}} Congregations can establish their own groups where members and leaders can participate in discussions, livestream services, and manage donations. Additionally, users can join “prayer communities” to post and respond to prayer requests. For those who subscribe to premium services, the platform provides access to biblically-inspired meditations and bedtime stories, and Bible stories for children.{{cite news|last=Abdollah|first=Tami|date=April 1, 2020|title=Online Prayer Platforms Are Booming In the COVID-19 Era — and VCs are Getting Religion|publisher=dot.LA|location=|url=https://dot.la/coronavirus-prayer-2645604848/particle-2|access-date=January 31, 2021}}{{cite news|last=Heilweil|first=Rebecca|date=March 27, 2020|title=This social network for churches is thriving in the coronavirus pandemic|work=Vox|location=|url=https://www.vox.com/recode/2020/3/27/21194239/coronavirus-churches-online-pray-com|access-date=January 31, 2021}}{{cite news|last=McFarlan Miller|first=Emily|date=April 15, 2020|title=There's an app for that: Christian mindfulness, meditation apps find their moment|agency=Religion News Service|location=|url=https://religionnews.com/2020/04/15/theres-an-app-for-that-christian-mindfulness-and-meditation-apps-find-moment-in-midst-of-pandemic/|access-date=January 31, 2021}} Pray.com also produces Radio drama-style productions with notable actors such as Kristen Bell and Blair Underwood narrating biblical stories.
History
= Funding and development =
Pray.com has secured significant funding to support its development and growth. In 2017, the platform raised $2 million in seed funding from Science Inc., Greylock Partners, and Spark Capital.{{cite news |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=June 29, 2017 |title=Pray.com, a community-building app for faith organizations, raises $2M in seed funding |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/29/pray-com-a-community-building-app-for-faith-organizations-raises-2m-in-seed-funding/ |work=TechCrunch |location= |access-date=January 31, 2021}} This was followed by a Series A funding round in March 2018, in which the company secured an additional $14 million from TPG Growth, Science Inc., and Greylock Partners.{{cite news |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=March 14, 2018 |title=Interfaith social network Pray.com raises $14M Series A to add new features to its mobile app |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/14/interfaith-social-network-pray-com-raises-14m-series-a-to-add-new-features-to-its-mobile-app/ |work=TechCrunch |location= |access-date=January 31, 2021}} Founder Steve Gatena has highlighted difficulties in securing funding, noting some venture capitalists' negative attitudes towards faith-based technology.
= Clinical studies =
There have been clinical studies on Pray.com. In one study, the app was found to be acceptable and easy to use among racial and ethnic minority groups, with participants reporting improved mental health and well-being.{{Cite journal |last1=Laird |first1=Breanne |last2=Zuniga |first2=Sabrina |last3=Hook |first3=Joshua N. |last4=Tongeren |first4=Daryl R. Van |last5=Joeman |first5=Lynda |last6=Huberty |first6=Jennifer |date=2024-02-02 |title=Mental Health and Well-Being in Racial or Ethnic Minority Individuals After Using a Faith and Prayer Mobile App (Pray.com): Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy Trial |journal=JMIR Formative Research |language=EN |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=e52560 |doi=10.2196/52560|doi-access=free |pmid=38306173 |pmc=10873801 }} Greater app use was associated with better outcomes, though low and variable usage suggests the need for further research to fully understand its impact.
Another study examined Pray.com's impact on mental health by assigning 192 participants to use the app freely, use its meditative prayer function, or not use it at all.{{Cite journal |last1=Laird |first1=Breanne |last2=Hook |first2=Joshua N. |last3=Tongeren |first3=Daryl R.Van |last4=Zuniga |first4=Sabrina |last5=Hall |first5=Todd |last6=Huberty |first6=Jennifer |date=2024 |title=The Impact of Using a Faith and Prayer Mobile Application, Pray.com, on Mental Health and Well-Being |url=https://scholars.uthscsa.edu/en/publications/the-impact-of-using-a-faith-and-prayer-mobile-application-praycom |journal=Spirituality in Clinical Practice |doi=10.1037/scp0000366 |issn=2326-4500|doi-access=free }} Over two months, participants reported overall improvements in mental health and well-being. Although no significant differences were found between groups, greater app usage correlated with better mental health outcomes. This suggests that religiously based mobile apps may help improve mental health and well-being. Another study of pray.com had similar findings.{{Cite journal |last1=Laird |first1=Breanne |last2=Van Tongeren |first2=Daryl R. |last3=Hook |first3=Joshua N. |last4=Do |first4=Bridgette |last5=Hall |first5=Todd |last6=Huberty |first6=Jennifer |date=2024-06-01 |title=Exploring User Perceptions of a Mobile App for Religious Practices |journal=Journal of Religion and Health |language=en |volume=63 |issue=3 |pages=2068–2090 |doi=10.1007/s10943-024-02004-9 |issn=1573-6571 |pmc=11061027 |pmid=38358455}}
= National Day of Prayer =
Pray first hosted a National Day of Prayer event in 2020 when it streamed to nearly one million viewers on Facebook. In 2021, Pray hosted a virtual event for the National Day of Prayer in the United States.{{Cite web|last=Funke|first=Daniel|title=Fact check: Biden administration didn't 'reject' National Day of Prayer|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/05/13/fact-check-biden-administration-didnt-reject-national-day-prayer/5038919001/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}} The event featured remarks from public figures including United States President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence. President Biden spoke of his faith and prayed for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden remarked: “It means the world to me to know that there are people across the country who include Jill and me in their prayers. And I hope you know that you and your families are in our prayers as well. Today I am praying for the end of this great COVID crisis.” {{Cite web|last=TEAM|first=PUSH|title=Gary Valenciano invited to perform at National Day of Prayer in the US|url=https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/5/6/fresh-scoops/gary-valenciano-invited-to-perform-at-national-day-193279|access-date=2021-06-05|website=Push}} The event featured musical performances from Gary Valenciano, Brooke Ligertwood from the Christian band Hillsong Worship, Lecrae, Heather Headley and Michael Neale.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-06|title=WATCH: Joe Biden and Mike Pence take part in virtual National Day of Prayer event|url=https://www.audacy.com/news/pray-com-holds-virtual-event-for-the-national-day-of-prayer|access-date=2021-06-05|website=www.audacy.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=GMA|date=2021-05-03|title=Lecrae, Heather Headley, Nona Jones Join Pray.com National Day of Prayer Online May 6|url=https://gospelmusic.org/lecrae-heather-headley-nona-jones-join-pray-com-national-day-of-prayer-online-may-6/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=The Gospel Music Association|language=en-US}} Other notable speakers included Ronnie Floyd, Ed Young (pastor), Mark Driscoll, and Samuel Rodriguez. Pray.com partnered with Sirius XM, DirecTV and Facebook to stream the event across multiple platforms.{{Cite web|title=Nat'l Day of Prayer to focus on praying for nation's physical, mental and spiritual health: Pray.com co-founder|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/national-day-of-prayer-to-focus-on-praying-for-nations-health.html|access-date=2021-06-05|website=The Christian Post|language=en-US}} Pray.com was featured as a pop-up channel on Sirius XM, channel 154, to host the prayer event and celebrate people of all faith.{{Cite web|title=Pray.com Added As Limited-Run SiriusXM Channel 154|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/207045/pray-com-added-as-limited-run-siriusxm-channel-154|access-date=2021-06-05|website=All Access|language=en}}
= Partnerships and sponsorships =
In 2024, Pray.com partnered with Sting Ray Robb as the primary sponsor for his No. 41 Chevrolet in the 2024 NTT INDYCAR Series. The partnership, highlighting Robb's Christian faith, aims to engage younger audiences with faith-based content. The car, featuring Pray.com's branding, was set to debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.{{Cite web |title=Pray.com To Serve as Primary Sponsor of Robb's 2024 Car |url=https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/02/02-20-robb-pray |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=IndyCar.com}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-21 |title=Pray.com a team effort working to 'impact the world in a big way' {{!}} The Alabama Baptist |url=https://thealabamabaptist.org/pray-com-a-team-effort-working-to-impact-the-world-in-a-big-way/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=thealabamabaptist.org |language=en-US}}
= Censorship in China =
The app was removed from Apple's App Store in China as part of the country's broader efforts to restrict access to religious content.{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Anugrah |date=2024-02-24 |title=Pray.com removed from Apple App Store in China, restricting access to content |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/praycom-removed-from-app-store-in-china.html |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=www.christianpost.com |language=en}} The app was targeted due to China's stringent regulations on religious material, particularly content distributed through digital platforms. The removal aligns with China's ongoing campaign to control online religious expression and maintain state-approved religious activities.{{Cite web |title=China bans Pray.com app - UPI.com |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/02/22/China-bans-Praycom-app/6081708641089/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=UPI |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.pray.com/}}
Category:Internet properties established in 2016