So... Why Prayer Library?

Published: 7/28/2025

Why Prayer Library? Why another prayer app?

I originally created Prayer Library for a school project and I didn't think it was going to be more than that. However as I began inviting people to use the app for testing I began to receive affirmations of the good things that this app was inviting them into. So I continued to develop it more and more. As I built it out more though I began to struggle with the idea that among so many other prayer apps how will mine stand out? Or does it even matter that I'm building? But over time I began to appreciate more how there are just so many tools out there to help Christians in their spiritual walks. If someone happens to find Prayer Library helpful them that's great but if they find another tool more helpful that's great too. Personally, another prayer app I enjoy is Sacred Space an app developed by the Irish Jesuits; highly recommend.

Back to why exactly I chose to build a prayer app that recommends prayers based on how you're feeling. In 2019/20 I did a program called LifeTeams which is a Christian youth work program through Youth Unlimited (or Youth for Christ) and in that year I learned a very valuable lesson of recognizing the lies I'm telling myself and the focusing on the truth that God has for me. My vision for Prayer Library is to invite people into that same practice. To firstly notice the emotions they're feeling and recognize God's truth in moments when it might be hard. This past year I've used Prayer Library to help me through a time of anger with some conflict that was happening around me. Not sure if it was originally intended as a prayer but this quote from Mother Teresa is on Prayer Library and I thought I would share it here:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

I pray that you are able to see the good things that God has before you and that you know, that you know, that you know that he surrounds you with His goodness and invites you into that goodness despite all the circumstances around you.

Shalom,

Lucas