Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The basics

What is PrayerGroup.Live?

An online place to share a prayer, a worry, or a hope — and to find that real people are holding you in theirs. You can post what’s on your heart, or show up for someone else.

Is it free?

Yes. Sharing what’s on your heart and supporting someone else are free, and always will be. No credit card, no hidden costs.

Do I have to be religious to use it?

No. If prayer is your word for it, wonderful. If it’s meditation, a quiet moment, journaling, or just getting something off your chest — you’re just as welcome.

Who is it for?

Anyone carrying something, and anyone willing to show up for someone else — a friend, a neighbor, a colleague, or someone you’ve never met. Whether you want to share, pray for others, read quietly, or bring your own people together.

Do I need to be a certain age?

For now, PrayerGroup.Live is for ages 18 and over. Opening a space like this to younger people means meeting strict legal requirements and building safeguards to match — neither is simple, and we’d rather do it properly than early. It’s something we want to get to.

When does it open?

In the coming weeks — we’re aiming to open before the end of September. We’ll start with a first group of people and communities, and waitlist confirmations become the very first accounts. Join the waitlist to be among them.

Faith, beliefs, and who’s welcome

Is this a Christian app? Does it favor one religion?

No. People have reached for support like this in every tradition, under many different names. There’s room for every tradition here, and no single one is the default.

Can I use it if I’m not sure what I believe?

Yes. A lot of people are somewhere in the middle, or still working it out. You don’t need the right words or any certainty — just something you’d rather not carry alone.

Can I keep it within my own faith or tradition?

That’s the design. You’ll choose how close to your own tradition you’d like to stay — from only your own, to wide open — so you’re sharing and reading in a space you’re comfortable with. Advanced filters that let you customize your experience are on the roadmap and a high priority.

Is it interfaith?

It’s open, and deliberately so. You’re welcome to pray in your own way, and you’re never asked to blend or dilute anything. Think “everyone welcome,” not “everyone the same.”

We’re also building so that communities can come together when they want to — congregations across a city holding a shared prayer event, say. The principle underneath it is control: you decide which groups and events you join, who can see what you share, and what you see. If interfaith work is part of your life, join the waitlist and tell us what you need — we’re still shaping this.

How the prayer space works

What can I post?

A prayer, a worry, a hope, or a simple request for a moment of support — as openly or as privately as you like.

Can I pray for other people?

Yes, and that’s half of what this is. You can read what people are carrying and respond with a prayer, a kind word, or a quiet moment held for them.

Can I just read, without posting?

Of course. Reading and quietly praying for people counts, and you never have to post a thing.

Will someone actually respond?

That’s the experience we’re building for. Sharing something that nobody answers stings, and we’d rather nobody here felt that. So over the coming few months, while we’re still small, everyone joining is asked to do two things: share something once, and show up for others a few times. It’s an invitation, not a rule.

We have plenty of ideas for how to keep this true as more people arrive, and we’re keen to try them with real people rather than guess. Join the waitlist and help us work out what actually works.

Is this social media?

Not in the way you’re used to. No follower counts, no popularity contest, no feed built to keep you scrolling. The prayer space is calm on purpose.

It is a social app, though. Over time you’ll find the things that help people find each other and stay connected — profiles, groups, an activity feed, notifications, and more as we go. How much of that you want is up to you, including none of it.

Safety and support

What if I’m in crisis, or thinking about hurting myself?

Please reach out to someone who can help right now, rather than waiting for a reply here. In the US, you can call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time. Elsewhere, findahelpline.com lists services by country. This is a place for company and support, and we care about you getting real help when you need it.

Is this a substitute for professional help?

No. Being prayed for and being cared for can matter enormously, and it isn’t therapy, medical care, or crisis support. We’d always encourage you to reach for professional help when you need it.

What if I see something harmful?

Tell us. Every post can be reported, and real people review what comes in. Moderation is part of the first version, not something we’re planning to add later.

How do you keep it safe and kind?

Safety isn’t a feature we’ll get around to — it’s in the foundations. The first release ships with the core pieces in place: reporting, review by real people, and careful defaults on who can see what. People look after this space, and expectations are set clearly from the first day. It only works if it’s safe to be vulnerable here, so that comes first.

Privacy and your data

Who can see what I post?

You decide. Post with your name, or without it, and choose who can see it. We start you with careful, protective defaults, and you stay in control.

Can I post a prayer request without my name?

Yes. You can post without your name shown, so other members won’t know it came from you. To be straight with you, though: that’s private from other people, not from us. We can still see who posted, and that’s what makes moderation and safety possible. Your email is never visible to anyone but you.

Will you sell my data or show me ads?

Never. We don’t sell your words or your information, and there are no ads.

Do you use my prayers to train AI?

Not without asking you first — clearly, specifically, and never by default. We’re genuinely interested in what AI could do for a place like this, and just as aware of how it can go wrong. Whatever we end up doing, you’ll know before it happens and you’ll be able to say no.

Is there any AI involved?

Some, and never as a voice of faith. AI helps with background work — keeping things organized and safe — but it doesn’t pretend to pray and it doesn’t speak for anyone’s tradition. We also use AI-assisted tools to build the app itself. There’s a great deal more that could be done here, and we’ll only do it where it clearly helps and where we’ve told you about it first.

Can I delete my information?

Yes. You can unsubscribe or ask us to remove your data at any time. We’re aiming to meet or beat industry best practice on this, and in the meantime, if you need anything handled, just email us and we’ll take care of it.

Cost, and how we stay in business

How do you make money if it’s free?

Honestly, and never from your data or your attention. The heart of this — asking for support and offering it — is free and stays free. Over time there’ll be optional paid features for people and organizations who want more, particularly around running groups and gatherings. We’ll never charge you to be heard.

Do I need a credit card to join?

No. The waitlist and the prayer space are free, and no payment details are needed.

The waitlist and early access

What happens when I join the waitlist?

You’ll get a quick email to confirm it’s really you, and a warm welcome. When we open, you’ll be among the first we invite in, with no second sign-up.

Why do I have to confirm my email?

It’s standard practice, and for good reasons. It confirms the address is real and reachable, so a typo doesn’t mean you never hear from us. It stops anyone from signing you up without your say-so. And it keeps our list clean, which is a large part of why our emails land in your inbox instead of your spam folder.

Can I invite other people?

Yes, and we’d love that. Once you confirm, you get a personal link to share with anyone you’d like beside you here. Some people arrive with friends, family, or their whole prayer group; some arrive alone and find company here. Both work.

What do I get for joining early?

A real say in what this becomes. Early members help shape it, hear from us directly, and get in first.

Who’s behind it, and what’s next

Who’s building this?

Two founders in the San Francisco Bay Area. Self-funded — no investors, no advertisers. There’s more about us on the about page.

Are you a church or a religious organization?

No. We’re not clergy, we don’t represent any tradition, and we’re not affiliated with any denomination. We’re two people building a tool we hope communities will find useful.

Why should I trust you?

Because our incentives are simple: if this isn’t good for you, there’s no reason for it to exist. Nobody pays us to hold your attention, we build in the open, and we’d rather earn your trust slowly than borrow it cheaply.

What’s coming after the prayer space?

The prayer space is the first piece. Groups, events, and private circles are close behind — especially for people and communities spread far apart. We’re designing it in the open, with the people who use it.

I lead a prayer group or congregation — is there anything for me?

Yes, and you’re much of the reason we’re building this. We want to give people who bring others together better tools to care for them: groups you control, events you run, and a way to stay close to members who’ve moved far away. We’re talking with organizers and conveners now, while the shape of this is still open. Write to us at hello@prayergroup.live.

How do I reach you?

Email hello@prayergroup.live. We read every message.