The idea of ‘praying’ is increasing among those who might consider themselves non-believers

Do you pray? Can everyone pray? Can we encourage our community to pray, even if they have little or no faith in a God?

I said, “yes” to that question eight years ago and then went on to design an augmented reality app that is ready to transform the way we connect with our communities – all through the use of prayer.

I do think that the idea of ‘praying’ has increased particularly among those who are not church people or would not even necessarily call themselves spiritual.

I love to pray, and love to encourage others to pray. I do think that the idea of ‘praying’ has increased particularly among those who are not church people or would not even necessarily call themselves spiritual.

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In 2002 The Sun put David Beckham’s left foot on the front of their newspaper with the headline: ‘Beck Us Pray’ and the Daily Mail advised us all to ‘Pray for Captain Tom’, during the pandemic in 2021 when he was ill. I now see the word ‘prayer’ being used by those who might not have used it a few years ago, choosing this word to mean hope, care and love. Which is wonderful as isn’t this what prayer is – hoping our God will move and heal, caring for and loving others?

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Prayer walks carried out by churches and church people have been done for many years, way before I was born in the 70s. But, eight years ago as I walked around my neighbourhood, praying, I wondered about the people living along the roads and streets I walked. Who lived within the neighbourhoods I was praying for? I suddenly wondered what it could be like if the people living behind these walls and doors could request prayer from me and, even better, that I could ask them to pray for me.  So, the concept of PrayGo was born, named in recognition of Pokémon Go, the popular online game. Instead of monsters being posted in augmented reality, prayer would be instead.

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After coming up with the initial idea, the Church of England ran a Digilabs day in London which I attended. This was my first answer to prayer as this resulted in connections and links with people and organisations which developed the idea.  I then went on to set up a charity and now have a brilliant app design company who have designed the complicated bits! We have continued to have prayer answered with six brilliant trustees coming on board who have a mix of skills and expertise. We also have managed to raise enough money for our first stage to be developed, and are now busy raising the final stage of the funding. Hopefully this app will be ready to go by the beginning of next year.

Do you pray? Can everyone pray? Can we encourage our community to pray, even if they have little or no faith in a God?

Yes, I believe we can.