By Michael Lynn, Co-Founder, PRAY.COM
Amanda Marcotte’s recent Salon article, “An atheist’s unnerving descent into Hallow, the prayer app beloved by MAGA celebrities,” isn’t just a critique of one app—it’s an attempt to reduce the entire Christian digital revival to political propaganda and cultural regression.
As the co-founder of PRAY.COM, one of the largest Christian platforms in the world, I feel compelled to respond—not in defense of Hallow, but in defense of the millions of believers whose faith is not a pawn, a punchline, or a parody.
Because prayer isn’t political. It’s human.
The False Binary: Faith vs. Progress
Marcotte frames traditional Christian spirituality as inherently regressive—aligned with patriarchy, MAGA, and authoritarianism. But this is a tired and inaccurate narrative that doesn’t reflect the reality we see every day.
At PRAY.COM, we serve a global community of over 23 million people across 185 countries. Among our U.S. audience, surveys show a nearly even split between Democrats and Republicans. The truth is simple: faith isn’t Left or Right—it’s bigger than politics. It’s eternal.
At PRAY.COM, we serve:
- Black churches in Atlanta
- Latino congregations in L.A.
- Prison ministries in Texas
- Youth groups in The Philippines
These are not “radical extremists.” They’re teachers. Nurses. Grandparents. First responders. Young adults trying to stay sane. People searching for solace, structure, and sacred meaning in a world that too often offers only anxiety and nihilism.
Marcotte suggests prayer is either “activist” or “narcissistic.” That’s an impoverished view of the human soul. Jesus Himself taught us to go into our room and pray in secret—not to hide, but because inner transformation leads to outer change.
Christianity Is Not a Culture War Weapon
One of the most egregious claims in Marcotte’s piece is that Christian apps sedate users into apathy. In her view, the modern Christian prays to escape reality—not to confront it.
But history—and current reality—say otherwise.
Faith-based communities are often first responders to suffering. They organize food drives before politicians do. They rally around the sick. They show up when the camera crews don’t. At PRAY.COM, we’ve seen people pray through cancer, unemployment, addiction, divorce—not in a sanctuary, but through a phone at 2 a.m.
And a member of PRAY.COM, Gary M. shares his testimony:
I appreciate the nudges that the app sends me. I have PTSD, acute anxiety, and onset panic attacks from my time as a cop. Nobody knows unless I tell them but when they randomly hit I’m overwhelmed. Even meds don’t seem to touch it. But hearing God’s word dispels the onset of doom and gives me hope.
That’s not escapism. That’s spiritual survival.
Faith doesn’t distract—it anchors.
And Marcotte’s mockery of people praying over marital struggles or parenting stress? That says more about her disconnection from everyday reality than ours. These are the exact burdens that drive people to their knees—not out of weakness, but out of hope.
If There Wasn’t a Need, The Bible App Wouldn’t Have Over 1 Billion Downloads
The digital prayer movement isn’t manufactured. It’s grassroots. It’s global. And it’s growing.
If people weren’t hungry for prayer—hungry for something deeper than politics or platforms—the Bible app wouldn’t have over 1 billion downloads. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people are desperate for peace and purpose in a noisy, divided world.
They’re turning to tools like PRAY.COM not to be manipulated—but to breathe.
As Stephen Dubner, bestselling author and host of Freakonomics Radio, put it:
“The truth is, prayer—even if you don’t believe in God—offers tangible psychological benefits. If someone finds comfort in that, who are we to scoff at it?”
Faith and Science Can—and Do—Work Together
What might also surprise some critics is that faith and science are not at odds. At PRAY.COM, we’ve partnered with top researchers from institutions like Biola University and the University of Utah to study the impact of spiritual practices.
- 74% report reduced stress
- 69% report reduced anxiety
- 94% report better sleep
- The more people engage with the platform, the greater the benefit
This isn’t just spiritual. It’s measurable.
As Dr. Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir, said about our work:
“PRAY.COM is using artificial intelligence not to manipulate attention, but to deepen spiritual connection. This is what tech should be doing—empowering people to flourish.”
And as Dr. Josh Axe puts it:
“Apps like PRAY.COM give people access to truth, hope, and spiritual nourishment—without the toxicity of traditional media. That’s not dangerous. That’s necessary.”
Prayer Isn’t the Problem—Cynicism Is
What’s truly unnerving in Marcotte’s article isn’t her discomfort with Hallow—it’s her reflexive contempt for people who believe. Her satire doesn’t land because it’s not grounded in curiosity or humility. It’s rage disguised as journalism, scorn packaged as enlightenment.
But here’s the truth:
Christians don’t pray because they’re deluded or defeated.
They pray because they’re human.
Because life is hard.
Because the soul needs tending.
And if a digital platform can help someone rediscover joy, purpose, peace, or forgiveness—why sneer at that?
We welcome critique of Christian tech. We should be scrutinized. But let it be fair. Let it be nuanced. And most of all—let it be rooted in reality, not resentment.
Because faith isn’t MAGA. It’s not Left or Right. It’s eternal.
And at PRAY.COM, we’re not building propaganda—we’re building tech that helps people meet God.
Michael Lynn is the Co-Founder of PRAY.COM, the world’s leading platform for digital faith content. PRAY.COM is used by over 23 million people in 185 countries to access prayer, Scripture, devotionals, and spiritual encouragement anytime, anywhere.
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