How Prayer Lots Works

What it is: Prayer Lots randomly selects a handful of prayer requests from your list and presents them to you. You can run daily, weekly, and monthly draws at the same time — each on its own rhythm, each with its own set of lots.

Why it exists: It’s easy to always pray for the same people and forget others. Drawing lots removes the decision from your hands — an act of surrender, echoing the biblical tradition of entrusting the outcome to God.

How it works: Add your prayer requests, then draw your lots. The app draws a set for you based on how many you’ve chosen to pray through and how often. Pray through each one, or set it aside. Prayer requests you’ve marked “Always Remember” show up every time, outside the random draw.

Flows into: Prayer Requests, Settings, History

What it is: Prayer requests are the people and needs you’re lifting up. They can be people (a friend, a family member, a stranger) or goals (healing, wisdom, a job search).

Why it exists: Being intentional matters. Instead of a vague “bless everyone,” you’re naming specific people and needs — and trusting God with each one.

How it works: Name the person or the need, choose “Person” or “Goal,” and add detail if you want. When God answers, mark it as answered — it becomes a testimony, a record of what God has done. You can describe how the prayer was answered, and buddies or circle members who prayed for it will be encouraged. Some prayers never leave your heart — mark a request “Always Remember” and it shows up every time you pray, not randomly, but always.

Flows into: Drawing Lots, Prayer Buddies, Prayer Circles

What it is: A prayer buddy is someone you’ve partnered with for one-on-one prayer. You share prayer requests between you and pray for each other.

Why it exists: Scripture speaks of the power of two agreeing in prayer. Having someone who prays for you — and knowing you’re praying for them — builds trust and real spiritual friendship.

How it works: Send a buddy request to someone by their username. Once they accept, you can share prayer requests visible only to the two of you. When you pray for a buddy’s request, they get a notification. It’s simple, personal, and private.

Flows into: Prayer Requests, Notifications, History

What it is: A prayer circle is a group — your small group, your family, your church team — that shares prayer requests and prays together.

Why it exists: Some prayers are best carried by a community. Circles give groups a dedicated, private space to share needs and pray for each other — without the noise of social media.

How it works: Create a circle and add members by username. Share prayer requests with the group — leaders review them before they’re shared to keep the space safe. When someone in your circle prays for your request, you’ll know you’re not carrying it alone.

Flows into: Prayer Requests, Notifications, History

What it is: A quiet look back at the last 7 days — the people you prayed for and the requests you lifted up with buddies and in circles.

Why it exists: It’s good to remember. Not to measure yourself — but to see what you’ve brought before God and be reminded of His faithfulness.

How it works: Open your history to see a day-by-day view. Each day shows what you prayed for — from your lots, with a buddy, or in a circle.

Flows into: Drawing Lots, Prayer Buddies, Prayer Circles

What it is: Prayer Lots lets you know when someone prays for you, when a prayer request is approved in your circle, or when your lots are ready.

Why it exists: You shouldn’t have to remember to check the app. Notifications bring the important moments to you so you can respond — a quick prayer, a word of encouragement.

How it works: You’ll see a bell icon in the top bar when you have unread notifications. You can also enable push notifications so reminders reach you even when the app isn’t open.

Flows into: Prayer Buddies, Prayer Circles, Mobile App

What it is: Settings let you customize how Prayer Lots works for you — how often you draw lots (daily, weekly, monthly, or all three), how many prayer requests you pray through at a time, when you’d like to be reminded, and how the app looks.

Why it exists: Everyone’s prayer rhythm is different. Settings let you match the app to yours.

How it works: Choose your draw rhythms, set how many prayer requests you want per draw, pick your timezone and accent color, and toggle push notifications on or off.

Flows into: Drawing Lots, Notifications

What it is: Prayer Lots is a Progressive Web App (PWA) — that means you can install it on your phone’s home screen and use it like a regular app. No app store needed.

Why it exists: Prayer happens everywhere — on the bus, in bed, during a walk. Having Prayer Lots on your home screen means it’s always within reach.

How it works: On iPhone, open the site in Safari, tap the Share button, and choose “Add to Home Screen.” On Android, open in Chrome, tap the menu, and choose “Install App.” That’s it — you’ll see the Prayer Lots icon on your home screen.

Install on your device

Flows into: Notifications, Settings