National Prayer Day Puts In A Word Online

Thursday was National Day of Prayer so it’s timely how Seattle pastor notes today’s “radical shift” to online worship & he wonders if trend is here to stay as media records are being smashed, new vistas opened.

Before COVID-19, the majority of people worshipped inside the church building,” Jesse Bradley, pastor of Grace Community Church, told Fox News. “But now, we are reaching millions … through all types of online content.” For instance, the BBC says the biblical app YouVersion has been downloaded over 260M times worldwide since its launch in 2008. In addition, Hallow, launched in 2018, quickly became the No. 1 Catholic prayer and meditation app; it’s even been endorsed by actors Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson, stars of the just-released “Father Stu” biop. Meanwhile, according to Crowdfund Insider, the streaming Christian television series “The Chosen,” available through its own dedicated app and on a streaming network, “smashed records as the largest crowdfunded media project ever”.

It's not that church, synagogue or mosque going isn’t still alive and well. “We are made for relationships,” noted Pastor Bradley. “We need each other [as] we need God … It’s easy for some people [to come to God], if they’re online only, to not have that close community. [Yet, most] need to look at each other in the eyes and pray with one another.” Certainly, nothing will ever compare to the serenity & inspiration obtained in a consecrated physical place of worship. And, one need not go all the way to one of the many great cathedrals or basilicas of Europe to be awed. The same spiritual “lift” can be had in just about any holy building where God lives.

Davd Soul