News
World’s No. 1 Prayer App names Gary V as Philippine Ambassador
SANTA MONICA, CA - September 9, 2021 - Gary Valenciano’s pure energy is being channeled towards a new endeavor.
By PRAY.COM Editorial Team · Published · Updated · 5 min read
Share this

SANTA MONICA, CA - September 9, 2021 - Gary Valenciano’s pure energy is being channeled towards a new endeavor. Pray.com, the world's number 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content, has chosen the country’s top singer/songwriter and ultimate performer, to be Pray.com’s Philippine ambassador, focusing light on one of Gary’s most enduring passions: connecting to the power of God through prayer.
Known for his unwavering Christian faith and devotion, Valenciano is the ideal choice for this prayer app co-founded by Steve Gatena five years ago, now loaded with content featuring Gary V. Gatena explains the company’s decision to partner with the beloved Filipino-Puerto Rican artist:
“Gary V is an inspiration to Pray.com and the world. The way he talks about his faith, his willingness to reach out to people directly, and encourage them to pray – it’s special. With so many out there struggling with mental and spiritual health because of the pandemic, Gary has chosen to share his voice with all of us. Now you can pray with Gary V anytime on Pray.com," says Gatena.
For his part, Valenciano, a living miracle, reveals he was honored to join Pray.com and introduce the empowering prayer app to Filipinos.
“I want to encourage everyone to pray. I have survived so many health challenges. I am here with you today only by the grace of God. I am unashamed to share my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful, first of all to God, and to Pray.com for giving me a platform to help others draw closer to the Almighty God who gave His only Son to save us,” says Valenciano.
Launched in 2017 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate a community, Pray.com now reaches more than 10 million people globally through its mobile app and website. It is the simplest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily prayers, pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. In this new venture, Valenciano becomes the voice behind bible stories like Joseph as well as meditation prayers that will inspire his millions of fans.
Prayer forms a vital part of Valenciano’s day. Whether he is working from home or at the ABS-CBN studios for his weekly ASAP Natin ‘To performances, an app like Pray.com on his mobile devices helps him seamlessly make time for quiet moments with God no matter how busy his schedule gets. Prayer has been Valenciano’s sanctuary and refuge, especially during this pandemic. During this heartbreaking season, no one has been spared from challenges, from grief, pain, and loss. Just recently Valenciano lost his photographer of 30 years, Raymund Isaac, to Covid19, who took his photographs for the posters of Pray.com.
“I want to encourage everyone – no matter what you are going through – take a moment, stop, and pray. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. Start a conversation with God who loves you, God who is everywhere, God who knows you and hears your every cry. The Word promises – we can approach His throne of grace and always, we will find help in our time of need; He who has promised is so much more than able,” Valenciano adds.
Some of Valenciano’s most intimate conversations with God have found expression through songs of praise; many of his compositions have become timeless classics – multi-platinum hits like “Shout For Joy,” “Take Me Out Of The Dark,” as well as his vocal renditions of “Lead Me Lord” and “I Will Be Here.” Prayer has taken many forms for the multi-awarded recording artist and these songs reflect this truth. His timely ambassadorship with Pray.com becomes even more significant as he recently released yet another song of praise entitled “Make Us Whole Again.” Written in the summer of 2020, the song is Valenciano’s way of expressing his journey during the pandemic, grappling with hope and fear, life and death, frailties and faith. As a line in the song goes: “No, our hearts won’t tire / Our faith’s on fire,” Valenciano’s faith is resolute as it flourishes, despite the persistent suffering and perplexing tragedies that plague the world. This is a testament to the strength of his faith and the power of his connection to the divine. With prayer as his priority from the moment he wakes, Valenciano lives a life of faith that stokes inspiration and admiration among many of his fans.
The new Pray.com app aims to enable more people of faith to make prayer a part of their daily lives. The platform has multiple functions that can be accessed by registered users: daily prayers every morning, nightly prayers before bedtime, audio Bible stories, Christian meditations, prayer plans, podcasts of pastors from around the world including globally renowned Christian personalities like John Piper, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Manny Pacquiao, and even Philippine pastors such as James Aiton of Favor Church, Paul and Shoddy Chase and Mylene Evangelista of New Life Church, and Bo Sanchez of Light Of Jesus Family. It also has inspirational music of different genres.
In a time of global crisis, prayer is a path to guidance, healing, and comfort. Valenciano and Gatena hope that Pray.com will become part of every Filipino’s life as we navigate the uncertainties of a world in great turmoil and persevere to overcome.
For exciting updates and more information on Gary Valenciano, visit www.GaryV.com; follow @GaryValenciano1 on Twitter and @garyvalenciano on Instagram; subscribe to Gary Valenciano on YouTube; and like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook.
Pray.com is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play; and check out “Make Us Whole Again” on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Help spread the word about Pray.com by posting it on your social media platforms using the hashtags #PrayPhilippines and #PrayWithGaryV.
About Pray.com
Launched in 2017 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching more than 10 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, it is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through Daily Prayers, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories.
Media Contacts
Shawna Lagnado
Chris Allieri
References
- www.GaryV.comgaryv.com
Keep reading
- How to Pray for Veterans and Active Service MembersFour heartfelt ways to pray for those who have served and those still serving.Prayers · 4 min read
- 21 Bible Verses for Depression: Find Peace and Hope for 2025Life can feel heavy. Even when we have faith, seasons of sadness and despair can leave us searching for meaning and light. But God’s Word has never changed — and His promises are still powerful today.Healing & Well-Being · 8 min read
- New York Times Article: Finding God in the App StoreLauren Jackson explores the booming "faith tech" industry where tens of millions are using AI chatbots for spiritual guidance. The article examines apps like Bible Chat (30M+ downloads), Hallow, and PRAY.COM (25M downloads) that offer 24/7 digital chaplaincy services, raising questions about technology's role in religious practice.Faith & Wisdom · 6 min read
- HeyGen Case Study: PRAY.COM's AI Translation Revolution - Breaking Global Language Barriers in MinistryThis case study features Ryan Beck, co-founder and CTO of PRAY.COM, discussing how AI translation technology is transforming global ministry outreach. Beck explains how PRAY.COM partners with HeyGen to enable ministry leaders to communicate directly with international communities in their native languages, creating unprecedented connections between organizational founders and the people they serve worldwide. The conversation highlights the transition from audio-only to video translation capabilities and the profound impact on global humanitarian efforts.Interviews · 5 min read
- Media Interview: PRAY.COM's Ryan Beck on Faith, Technology, and America's Spiritual FutureIn this media interview, Ryan Beck, Chief Technology Officer at PRAY.COM, discusses the intersection of faith and technology in modern America. The conversation explores how AI and digital platforms are being used to address declining religious attendance, the ethical considerations of using artificial intelligence in ministry, and PRAY.COM's role in supporting the White House's Pray America 2025 initiative for the nation's 250th anniversary. Beck addresses the shift toward digital faith communities, particularly accelerated by the pandemic, and how technology can bridge the gap between traditional religious practices and contemporary spiritual needs. Interviews · 5 min read
- You Have Not Because You Ask Not: Bible Verse ExplainedLearn about the meaning of James 4:1-3 with Pray.comFaith & Wisdom · 8 min read
- Building a Successful Faith-Based App: PRAY.COM's Business Strategies with Ryan BeckIn this insightful episode of the SubClub podcast, hosts David Barnard and Jacob Heiding interview Ryan Beck, co-founder and CTO of PRAY.COM. Ryan shares the business journey behind building the world's leading prayer and faith-based audio content app. The conversation explores PRAY.COM's evolution from a social network for faith organizations to a consumer subscription platform, highlighting effective monetization strategies, customer acquisition tactics, and product development approaches. Ryan provides valuable insights into reaching older demographics through various marketing channels, the importance of diversifying revenue streams beyond just subscriptions, and why the team maintains "revenue" as their ultimate north star metric. Throughout the interview, Ryan emphasizes the data-driven yet mission-focused approach that has enabled PRAY.COM to successfully navigate the unique challenges of building a technology platform in the faith space.Interviews · 3 min read
- Faith and Technology: How Ryan Beck's Journey Led to PRAY.COM's Mental Wellness MissionIn this enlightening episode of Christian Natural Health with Dr. Lauren Deville, Ryan Beck, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of PRAY.COM, shares his powerful journey from troubled youth to faith-driven tech innovator. Ryan's remarkable transformation began in jail, where older inmates challenged him to reconsider his life path. After a profound spiritual awakening, he found his way to church, Bible college, and eventually to co-founding PRAY.COM—now the world's #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based audio content. Throughout the conversation, Ryan explains how PRAY.COM serves as a digital destination for faith, helping users cultivate a meaningful relationship with God through audio content, biblical narratives, and daily devotionals. He highlights how spiritual practices, particularly prayer, have been clinically shown to reduce anxiety and depression by up to 90%, making PRAY.COM not just a faith tool but a resource for mental wellness in our increasingly anxious world.Interviews · 3 min read
- Faith Meets Technology: How Ryan Beck is Using His Skills to Grow PRAY.COMIn this insightful episode of the Christianity in Business podcast, host Darren Shearer interviews Ryan Beck, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of PRAY.COM. Ryan shares the powerful origin story behind PRAY.COM, which began when CEO Steve Gatena experienced a personal tragedy and discovered faith through a podcast sermon. This pivotal moment inspired the creation of what is now the world's number one app for daily prayer and faith-based audio content. Throughout the conversation, Ryan discusses how his background in both theological studies and computer science uniquely prepared him for his role, how the company balances profit with purpose, and the profound impact PRAY.COM is having on users worldwide—including literally saving lives. As the digital transformation of faith communities accelerates, PRAY.COM continues to innovate by creating online spaces for worship, community, and spiritual growth.Interviews · 3 min read
- Friends with Fertility: Interview with Matthew Potter of PRAY.COMIn this heartfelt episode of Friends with Fertility, host Elizabeth King interviews Matthew Potter, co-founder of PRAY.COM. They discuss the powerful intersection of faith, prayer, and fertility journeys, sharing personal stories of loss, hope, and resilience. Matthew reveals his extraordinary origin story as an adopted child whose birth mother chose life at a pivotal moment, and shares how his company is using both science and spirituality to help people facing life challenges, including fertility struggles. The conversation explores how prayer can provide comfort during difficult fertility journeys and how maintaining a spiritual practice can support mental health during these challenging times.Interviews · 4 min read