5 Ways Churches Can Modernize Prayer
Faith has continuously evolved over the centuries, as has prayer itself. While the prayers remain the same, or relatively the same, the way we gather, pray, and share our beliefs is nowhere near the same as it was twenty, thirty, or a hundred years ago. Faith has changed and adapted to changing technology, social practices, and religious differences.
Churches have sought to modernize the prayer process in order to attract the newer generations back to the faith. Unfortunately, millennials, in particular, have largely fallen away from the faith, but by modernizing, churches have greater appeal to younger generations.
Here are five ways that churches can modernize prayer to appeal to a wider audience and bring younger people back into the fold.
1. Use Prayer Apps
One of the most effective and convenient ways that churches have modernized prayer is by accepting apps as a means to communicate and connect people through prayer. Apps play a vital role in our lives, and since just about everyone has a smartphone these days, we’re pretty much acquainted with apps and how they work. They act as another tool in our digital toolbelt, and one that can be used by organizations like churches to bring people together.
Prayer apps offer a unique opportunity for churches to share their faith with a younger generation, connect like-minded people, and share and save favorite prayers or sermons. Some apps even offer extras like James Earl Jones reads the Bible audio books or community features to bring app users together in-person.
Apps are usually free, but some offer premium services so you can get access to better features. The bottom line is that they’re connecting members of the faith and keeping prayer in the believer’s mind as a daily habit. You can even set notifications so you don’t forget to pray!
2. Record And/Or Livestream Sermons
Recorded sermons are nothing new, but they used to be televised only via cable TV. Now, churches have the option of uploading videos to social media accounts, YouTube, and other web resources for their users to find. Another popular practice is live streaming the service, which can allow users to tune in remotely. This has become especially popular during the COVID-19 era, where social distancing rules keep the faithful from gathering in large groups.
Some of the biggest names in the faith stream and/or record their sermons so that thousands of people can watch each week. Your church can do the same—even if only a small congregation attends. It’s not hard to stream, as Facebook offers a live stream option, and most modern phones come equipped with a decent camera.
3. Utilize Social Media
Speaking of Facebook, churches are also turning to social media services in order to appeal to younger audiences, bring people together, and join everyone in online prayer. There’s nothing different (or wrong) about online prayer, except that you’re not seated together in the same room praying. With services like Facebook, churches have access to video and picture uploading, live streaming, and group creation. With all of these tools at your disposal, you can connect your church community like never before.
Social media also helps spread the word about your organization. Billions of people use sites like Facebook every month, and many are either looking for a new organization to join or just looking for other people of the faith to connect with.
4. A Fresh Approach
Taking the modern steps toward a fresh approach is the best way to stick with the times and continue to appeal to the younger audiences. Young people are much more skeptical of faith these days, so it’s important to show that your church can level with them. Plus, the tech tools that exist can help you broaden your church’s horizons and connect with a wider audience, while providing you with everything you need to keep your congregation together.
Changing times demand that churches change, too. We have to keep up with technology and trends in order to ensure we’re staying relevant.
5. Bringing In Younger Preachers
What better way to connect with a younger audience and modernize prayer than by bringing in more contemporary (and usually younger) preachers? They can help your church get set up on social media and usually connect in a more meaningful way to your younger members.
Contemporary preachers still adhere to the same values, but some things might sound a little different. Remember that an approach that’s a bit different is ok, as long as it’s still adhering to the traditional values that your church holds.
The Need To Modernize
Churches need to modernize if they’re to remain relevant in our digital age. Digital churches are starting to develop, and there are plenty of tools and services available to help keep your church relevant to the changing technology and trends.