The Digitalization of Christian Prayer Life in the Light of Secularization, the Decline of the Church and the Prayer Crisis

Description

Almost nothing has remained untouched by the digitalization of life. Prayer practices have also been affected by digitalization. While the relationship between personal faith and the church and church life is becoming looser, believers are increasingly turning to digital sources to inform themselves. For example, during the first months of the COVID-19 crisis, Google searches for prayer increased by 30%, reaching the highest level ever recorded (Bentzen, 2021).
In recent decades, a wide range of digital initiatives have been developed, in which the Internet does not only serve as a source for prayer texts or information about prayer. Today, there are various apps available to guide you through prayer moments (e.g. Pray As You Go). New, digital prayer practies have emerged, like lighting a virtual candle to pray for yourself, a loved one or for a situation (churchofengland.org/faith-life/light-candle). How do these digital prayer initiatives affect prayer life and what are the theological implications, as prayer life in general declines and church seeks viable ways forward?
In this paper I will present and reflect theologically on some important digital prayer practices and developments in the Netherlands in the light of secularization and the decline of the church. Is the digitalization of prayer part of the ‘solution’ the church is longing for in the light of the declining prayer life?

Period	13 Jun 2025
Event title	International Academy of Practical Theology 2025: (Be)Coming Home and (Re)Building Community in the Face of Displacement
Event type	Conference
Location	Saskatchewan, CanadaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International