Interviews
RLN News: Interview with Matthew Potter of PRAY.COM
In this brief but insightful interview on the Real Life Network, host RLN News speaks with Matthew Potter, co-founder of PRAY.COM. They discuss the platform's impressive growth, its mission to enhance users' prayer lives through digital means, and how it's adapting to global trends in faith content consumption. Matthew shares exciting updates about the app's international expansion plans through a partnership with Palantir, and offers viewers free access to premium content through a special link.
By PRAY.COM Editorial Team · Published · Updated · 3 min read
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Key takeaways
- The host opens by asking viewers if they would like to enhance their prayer life and get access to incredible faith-based content, introducing Matthew Potter as one of the founders of PRAY.COM.
- The conversation turns to Bible accessibility, with the host noting that while the Bible remains the best-selling book of all time, many churchgoers now access Scripture through their phones rather than physical books.
- When asked about trends among younger users, Matthew challenges the mainstream media narrative that America is becoming more secular based on declining church attendance.
- The host discusses the importance of prayer routines and habits, asking how PRAY.COM encourages a strong prayer life.
- The conversation concludes with a discussion about potential collaboration between PRAY.COM and Pastor Jack Hibbs of the Real Life Network.
Key Takeaways
- Faith content growth: While church attendance is declining, Christian content consumption has increased by 52% in the last 24 months, showing people still want spiritual content but delivered digitally.
- Scientific validation: PRAY.COM has established a "Pray Science" division with PhD researchers conducting clinical trials that demonstrate how regular prayer through digital platforms decreases mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, and hopelessness.
- Pandemic-driven expansion: During COVID-19, PRAY.COM experienced extraordinary growth of 1600%, which has continued with over 168 million shares outside the app on other platforms.
- Global expansion: Through a partnership with Palantir (recently added to the S&P 500), PRAY.COM is translating its content into multiple languages and working with major telecommunications companies to offer the app to Christian populations worldwide.
- Content diversity: Beyond prayer tracking, the platform offers premium content featuring a 61-piece orchestra and Disney voice actors bringing the Bible to life in cinematic audio, plus teachings from around 80 top pastors from around America.
- Free Access Offer: Matthew offers RLN News viewers free access to the entire app by visiting pray.com/matt.
Full Conversation
Introduction to PRAY.COM
The host opens by asking viewers if they would like to enhance their prayer life and get access to incredible faith-based content, introducing Matthew Potter as one of the founders of PRAY.COM.
Matthew describes PRAY.COM as "the number one app for daily prayer and faith-based content" that helps with mental and spiritual health while tracking daily prayer habits. He explains that the platform offers extensive content ranging from biblical teachings on practical topics like finances, marriage, and relationships, featuring content from approximately 80 top pastors from around America.
Digital Bible Access
The conversation turns to Bible accessibility, with the host noting that while the Bible remains the best-selling book of all time, many churchgoers now access Scripture through their phones rather than physical books. Matthew agrees, pointing out that there are more phones on Earth than toothbrushes, and that even in remote areas like the Amazon, people have access to smartphones through cellular towers rather than traditional landlines.
Matthew clarifies that while the basic app is completely free and includes content from top pastors worldwide, users can subscribe to access premium content featuring a 61-piece orchestra and Disney voice actors bringing the Bible to life in a cinematic audio format.
Trends in Faith Content Consumption
When asked about trends among younger users, Matthew challenges the mainstream media narrative that America is becoming more secular based on declining church attendance. He notes that consumption of Christian content has increased by 52% in the last 24 months, reflecting a shift in how people engage with faith content.
Matthew emphasizes that while he still believes in the importance of local church community, PRAY.COM offers users the ability to access spiritual content between Sundays directly on their phones.
Prayer Science and Mental Health Benefits
The host discusses the importance of prayer routines and habits, asking how PRAY.COM encourages a strong prayer life. Matthew reveals that they've established a "Pray Science" division with PhD researchers conducting clinical trials on the efficacy of prayer through digital therapeutics.
Their research shows that frequency of engaging with faith through PRAY.COM correlates with decreases in mental health symptoms including depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. The app tracks this engagement each time users open it.
Future Plans and Growth
When asked about the future of PRAY.COM over the next 5-10 years, Matthew discusses how the pandemic accelerated their growth, with a remarkable 1600% increase during COVID when many people couldn't attend church in person. Unlike many companies that saw growth drop off after the pandemic, PRAY.COM has continued to expand, with over 168 million shares outside the app.
Matthew shares exciting news about their international expansion plans through a partnership with Palantir, which is providing AI tools to translate all of PRAY.COM's content into multiple languages. He mentions that some of the world's largest telecommunications companies are now offering PRAY.COM to their Christian customers.
Closing Thoughts
The conversation concludes with a discussion about potential collaboration between PRAY.COM and Pastor Jack Hibbs of the Real Life Network. Both the host and Matthew express a "band of brothers" mentality toward supporting each other's ministries rather than viewing them as competitors.
Matthew offers viewers free access to the entire PRAY.COM app by visiting pray.com/matt, describing the digital platform as "the future" of faith content delivery.
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