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 all at the same time — each on its own cadence, each with its own set of lots.

Why it exists: It’s easy to always pray for the same things and forget others. Drawing lots takes the decision out of your hands and trusts God to bring the right things before you — just like the biblical tradition of casting lots.

How it works: Add your prayer requests, then hit “Draw Lots.” The app picks a random set for each of your active frequencies based on the min and max you’ve configured in settings. You can mark each one as prayed or skip it. Prayer requests you’ve marked “Always Remember” show up every time, outside the random draw.

Works with: Prayer Requests, Settings, History

What it is: Prayer requests are the things you’re bringing before God. They can be people (a friend, a family member, a stranger) or goals (healing, wisdom, a job search).

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

How it works: Create a request by giving it a name, choosing “Person” or “Goal,” and optionally adding a description. When God answers, mark it as answered — this turns it into a testimony, a record of what God has done. You can optionally describe how the prayer was answered, and others who prayed for it will be encouraged. You can also set prayer requests to “Always Remember” so they appear on your dashboard every time.

Works with: Drawing Lots, Prayer Circles

What it is: A prayer buddy is someone you’ve partnered with for one-on-one prayer. You can see each other’s prayer requests and let each other know when you’ve prayed.

Why it exists: Prayer is better together. Having someone who consistently prays for you — and knowing you’re praying for them — builds real accountability and deep spiritual friendship.

How it works: Send a buddy request to someone by their username. Once they accept, you’ll each see the other’s prayer requests on your buddy dashboard. When you pray for a buddy’s request, they get a notification. It’s simple, personal, and private.

Works with: 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. Circles have leaders who can approve prayer requests before they’re shared with the group.

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

How it works: Create a circle and invite others with your circle’s join code, or join one someone shares with you. Share prayer requests with the circle, post updates, and see when others in your circle have prayed. Leaders can manage membership and approve prayer requests to keep the space thoughtful and safe.

Works with: Prayer Requests, Notifications, History

What it is: Your prayer history shows everything you’ve prayed for over the last 7 days — lots you drew, buddy prayers, and circle prayers — all grouped by day. History covers a rolling 7-day window, so each day the oldest day rolls off and the newest is added.

Why it exists: It’s encouraging to look back and see how faithful you’ve been, and how faithful God has been. History helps you remember what you’ve brought before God and notice patterns in your prayer life.

How it works: Open your history to see a day-by-day timeline. Each entry shows what you prayed for, whether it was from your lots, a buddy, or a circle, and whether you prayed or skipped it.

Works with: Drawing Lots, Prayer Buddies, Prayer Circles

What it is: Prayer Lots sends you notifications when something meaningful happens — a buddy prayed for you, someone in your circle shared a request, or it’s time to draw your lots.

Why it exists: You shouldn’t have to remember to check the app. Notifications bring the important moments to you so you can respond in the moment — 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. Tap it to see what’s new. You can also enable push notifications on your phone so you never miss a moment, even when the app isn’t open.

Works with: Prayer Buddies, Prayer Circles, Mobile App

What it is: Settings let you customize how Prayer Lots works for you — which draw frequencies are active (daily, weekly, monthly — or all three at once), how many prayer requests per draw, your timezone, your accent color, and your notification preferences.

Why it exists: Everyone’s prayer rhythm is different. Some people pray daily, some weekly, some both. Some want 3 prayer requests, some want 10. Settings let you shape the app around your life, not the other way around.

How it works: Head to Settings (the gear icon) to enable one or more draw frequencies, set a min and max number of prayer requests per draw, pick your timezone, choose an accent color you love, and toggle push notifications on or off.

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 one tap away, with push notifications and a full-screen experience.

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

Works with: Notifications, Settings