PRAY.COM Ushers in New Era of AI-Powered Faith Media with the Launch of The Chosen People Season 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRAY.COM Ushers in New Era of AI-Powered Faith Media with the Launch of The Chosen People Season 2
Weekly AI-generated audio and video episodes launch on October 7 across Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and PRAY.COM platforms
LOS ANGELES, CA — July 8, 2025 — PRAY.COM, the world’s #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based audio content, today announced the premiere of Season 2 of The Chosen People, an ambitious multimedia podcast experience created using cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Launching October 7, 2025, the series delivers weekly long-form episodes featuring immersive storytelling through AI-generated video—streaming free across Spotify (SPOT), Apple Podcasts (AAPL), YouTube (GOOGL), and the AI Bible channel.
The announcement comes as PRAY.COM doubles down on its commitment to revolutionizing spiritual storytelling through AI, cementing its role as the global leader in scalable, creative faith content.
“This is how people will experience Scripture in the future—deep, personal, multi-format, and powered by AI,” said PRAY.COM co-founder Matthew Potter. “Our talented and dedicated team works hard to create this uplifting and inspiring content at a scale that is unmatched in the faith media space, and we are grateful and humbled to be used by God to help people make faith and prayer a priority in their daily lives.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Faith Podcast Experience
Built using the best AI tools available today, PRAY.COM’s content team adapts weekly to evolving AI platforms—blending human storytelling with the latest in speech synthesis, visual generation, and content automation. The result is a premium, multi-format devotional experience, produced faster and more affordably than ever before.
Season 2 of The Chosen People builds on the extraordinary success of Season 1, which surpassed 4 million downloads and ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts.
Produced by Pray.com, Season 1 captivated audiences with its cinematic audio, immersive sound design, and remarkable storytelling, which featured powerful voices like Yael Eckstein and Bishop Paul Lanier from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), who helped illuminate the deep connection between Christians and the Jewish people.
Their contributions were instrumental in shaping the tone and impact of the first season. Season 2 continues that legacy, introducing a fresh perspective, new voices, and epic stories that carry forward the same heart and mission.
Season 2 Highlights:
● Long-form audio podcast episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart App and more
● Full-length video episodes on PRAY.COM and the AI Bible YouTube channel
● Companion devotionals at www.TheChosenPeople.com
PRAY.COM by the Numbers
With unmatched reach and cross-platform engagement, PRAY.COM continues to set the pace for digital ministry and global faith media. "People were praying 10,000 years ago and they'll be praying 10,000 years from now. We're humbled and honored to continue to build PRAY.COM as the #1 brand in faith," said PRAY.COM Founder and CEO Steve Gatena.
● 4M+ Downloads for The Chosen People Season 1
● 3 billion listening minutes of content
● 2.5 Billion+ Annual Brand Impressions
● 220M+ Total Podcast Downloads
● 150M+ Monthly Social Impressions
AI Music Milestone: 150K+ Streams and Counting
In addition to its podcast dominance, PRAY.COM recently launched its first AI-powered music album, which has already crossed 150,000 streams on Spotify—a significant achievement in the niche category of AI + faith.
“We’re redefining how people experience Scripture through music and media by utilizing AI to enhance our creativity,” said Max Bard, VP of Content. “We proudly stand as the number one brand for Biblical content, leveraging AI to glorify God and inspire millions around the world.”
Premium Monetization Through iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT)
PRAY.COM maintains a longstanding advertising partnership with iHeartMedia, ensuring premium monetization and top-tier distribution of its content. The company’s AI-enabled production paired with strategic ad infrastructure delivers free, scalable, and sustainable faith media for audiences worldwide.
About PRAY.COM
PRAY.COM is the #1 brand for faith-based media and technology, dedicated to helping people make prayer a priority in their daily lives. PRAY.COM reaches millions worldwide and is available on the Apple App Store (AAPL), Google Play (GOOGL), Spotify (SPOT), iHeartRadio (IHRT), and Amazon Music (AMZN).
Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
www.pray.com
Steve Gatena of PRAY.COM Named 2025 Greater Los Angeles Entrepreneur of the Year® Finalist
Celebrating Vision, Purpose, and the Power of Faith-Driven Innovation
LOS ANGELES, June 26, 2025 – In a moment that honors innovation, resilience, and bold leadership, PRAY.COM Founder and CEO Steve Gatena was named among the finalists for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Entrepreneur of the Year® at a gala celebration held at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel earlier this month.
Presented by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award recognizes the builders of tomorrow—trailblazers who redefine industries and shape communities with lasting impact. Now in its 40th year, the award is a milestone celebration of those creating long-term value through bold vision, strong character, and relentless execution.
Among 26 elite finalists, Gatena stood out for his unwavering commitment to purpose, innovation, and positive global influence through faith-based technology.
“I’m humbled and honored to be recognized alongside so many transformational leaders,” Gatena shared. “Each finalist here tonight is driven by a deep passion to leave the world better than we found it. I thank God, our team, and the millions who use PRAY.COM every day to connect more deeply with their faith and purpose.”
Recognizing Bold Leadership with Purpose
Gatena’s selection was based on criteria such as entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth trajectory, and enduring impact. Bridget Ahern, EY Greater LA Co-Director, described this year’s class as “bold entrepreneurs making a lasting difference in their industries and communities.” Co-Director Kim Harrington added, “These are trailblazers with unwavering dedication to their people, their vision, and the lives they touch.”
Past Los Angeles honorees include household names like Joey Gonzalez (Barry’s), Janice Bryant Howroyd (ActOne Group), and John V. Shields (Trader Joe’s)—visionaries who turned ideas into cultural touchstones. Gatena now joins their ranks, not only as a business leader, but as a faith-forward catalyst for hope, healing, and human flourishing.
“This award shines a spotlight on something bigger than me—it highlights a mission,” Gatena added. “At a time when the world is overwhelmed with noise, distraction, and division, PRAY.COM is creating sacred space for peace, clarity, and connection. We are committed to improving mental and spiritual health globally—and this recognition reminds us how urgent and vital that mission is.”
About PRAY.COM
PRAY.COM is the world’s #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based audio content, designed to grow faith and cultivate community. With millions of active users worldwide, PRAY.COM provides innovative tools for prayer, meditation, and spiritual learning, supported by partnerships with leading faith leaders and communities around the globe. It was founded by Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year
Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.
The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Learn more at ey.com/us/eoy.
Christian Tech Entrepreneur Recognized for Leadership in SoCal Business Community
PRAY.COM Founder/CEO Steve Gatena Receives LA Times Executive Leadership Award
LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2025 – PRAY.COM Founder/CEO Steve Gatena was honored last week with the LA Times Executive Leadership Award in the category of Small Business Founder, recognizing his contributions to the Southern California business community – a rarity for the leader of a faith-based company.
The 2025 LA Executive Awards ceremony brought together some of the best and brightest stars in the city’s business world, recognizing those who have exemplified the spirit of being an effective leader, demonstrating resilience, growth, and wisdom within their respective fields. Fifteen categories of awards were presented, and the diverse nominees from across all segments of the L.A. business community – younger, older, of every race, gender, and creed – offered a true representation of the best of Southern California. The awards were given to those among the finalists who have shown true grace, growth and grit during the last 24 months in their respective fields, according to LA Times Executive Leadership Award officials.
Gatena was honored with the Small Business Founder award in recognition of his service as a distinguished entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of PRAY.COM, the world’s leading application for daily prayer and faith-based audio content. With a profound mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Gatena has guided PRAY.COM to remarkable success, becoming the only religious app to have completed clinical research on the efficacy of digitally enabled prayer on mental health. This is a testament to the company’s mission to grow faith, cultivate community, and leave a legacy of helping others.
“I am humbled by the LA Times Studios’ recognition, as it points to the impact PRAY.COM is having in our community and our world,” Gatena said. “This acknowledgement is a credit to our entire team and the amazing work they do helping people not only make prayer a priority but also realize the mental health benefits of engaging with the app at a time when 25% of our nation is struggling with some form of mental health challenge – either themselves or across their family.”
Driven by a commitment to innovation and societal impact, Gatena founded PRAY.COM following a pivotal experience in his own life, recognizing the immense potential of digital platforms to connect individuals with their faith. But the impact of PRAY.COM extends beyond spiritual enrichment; mental health studies conducted by the platform have demonstrated the positive benefits of app usage on user well-being. Furthermore, PRAY.COM is at the forefront of leveraging technology for greater good, partnering with Palantir to utilize AI to enhance the reach and operational efficiency of non-profit ministries, thereby amplifying their vital community work.
Under Gatena’s leadership, PRAY.COM has garnered numerous accolades, including being named a Best Place to Work by the Los Angeles Business Journal, a fastest-growing mental health app by SensorTower, and Inc. 5000’s fastest growing faith-based media and technology company in the United States. Gatena himself has been honored with CSQ Magazine’s “40 Under 40 Visionary Award.” In a notable recognition of his expertise, he was appointed by the President of the United States as a non-partisan advisor to the White House on cybersecurity matters.
With 20 years of industry experience, nine of which have been dedicated to building PRAY.COM, Gatena also contributes his expertise to organizations such as the USC Digital Media Management Board of Advisors and Beyond the Brotherhood, a nonprofit supporting Navy SEALs transitioning to civilian life.
For additional information, visit PRAY.COM.
About PRAY.COM
PRAY.COM is the world’s #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based audio content, designed to grow faith and cultivate community. With millions of active users worldwide, PRAY.COM provides innovative tools for prayer, meditation, and spiritual learning, supported by partnerships with leading faith leaders and communities around the globe.
Media Contact
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
PRAY.COM Celebrates Passover by Honoring the Jewish Community and a Milestone in Partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
LOS ANGELES, April 11, 2025 — As the Jewish community around the world prepares to observe Passover, PRAY.COM joins in honoring this sacred time of remembrance, reflection, and redemption.
Passover is a moment to pause and reflect on God’s enduring faithfulness and the story of deliverance that has echoed through generations. PRAY.COM’s mission is to grow faith and cultivate community around the world, piercing through boundaries of culture and creed with the power of hope. This season reminds us of the power of that mission more than ever.
This year, PRAY.COM is especially grateful to celebrate its ongoing partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship). Together, PRAY.COM and The Fellowship have launched and grown “The Chosen People”— a cinematically produced podcast that follows the greatest heroes of the Old Testament, offering listeners across faith backgrounds a chance to learn, reflect, and connect with the deep roots of faith.
PRAY.COM is proud to announce that “The Chosen People” – distributed in partnership with iHeartMedia (NASDAQ:IHRT) – will cross 3 million downloads during this Passover season. This milestone reflects both the hunger for meaningful faith-based content and the incredible impact of this collaboration with The Fellowship.
“At PRAY.COM, we create world-class technology that helps bring timeless truths to the next generation,” said Steve Gatena, CEO of PRAY.COM. “Our partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews on ‘The Chosen People’ is a beautiful example of how storytelling can bridge traditions and bring people together in faith. This Passover, we celebrate not only the story of deliverance—but also the ways our faith communities are coming together to inspire and uplift each other in a digital age.”
As the leading global media and technology company reshaping the way people encounter and engage their faith, PRAY.COM is honored to serve millions of people everyday with Bible teachings, daily devotionals, and digital resources. PRAY.COM serves people in 185 countries with its growing library of content that spans denominations, traditions, and generations. PRAY.COM is committed to being the place where people can come to grow their relationship with God—wherever they are.
This Passover, PRAY.COM invites everyone—Jewish, Christian, and seekers alike—to reflect on the power of deliverance, the importance of community, and the hope that faith brings to the world.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based content. Reaching more than 200 million podcast downloads, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck, and Matthew Potter. See more information about PRAY.COM at https://www.alarryross.com/praycom.
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For media inquiries or to request an interview with a PRAY.COM founder, contact: melany@alarryross.com
PRAY.COM Releases First Fully AI-Generated Biblical Mini-Series ‘Ruth’
Epic Saga of Loss and Redeeming Love Hosted by Reality TV Star Savannah Chrisley as part of Heroes in the Bible Series
LOS ANGELES, April 1, 2025 – PRAY.COM, the world’s leading app for daily prayer and faith-based content, has just launched the first-ever fully-AI-generated biblical mini-series, a 4-episode saga based on the epic love story from the book of Ruth. This is also PRAY.COM’s first “Heroes in the Bible” series based on a female hero, and features Savannah Chrisley as the host, introducing each episode and providing thoughtful commentary.
The production features realistic-looking visuals created entirely through AI, paired with immersive narration, rich audio design, and studio-quality musical orchestration to bring the podcast’s storytelling to life in a captivating video format.
Heroes in the Bible: Ruth is a tale of courage, devotion, and unexpected love set against the backdrop of ancient traditions and unimaginable tragedy. With powerful themes of sacrifice, redemption, and hope, this dramatic retelling breathes life into a story where hearts are tested, faith is rewarded, and love triumphs in the face of adversity.
“We are honored to bring Ruth’s story to life – a timeless saga meeting cutting-edge technology to reach new audiences with such important lessons about loss and loyalty,” said Max Bard, VP of Content, who led the development of the project. “We first started experimenting with visual AI storytelling in our podcast trailers, and as our understanding deepened, it became clear that we could take it further – telling a complete Bible story entirely through AI. We’re incredibly proud of the result and excited to share more series like this in the future.”
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based content. Reaching more than 200 million podcast downloads, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck, and Matthew Potter. See more information about PRAY.COM at https://www.alarryross.com/praycom.
About Savannah Chrisley
A former reality TV star as well as makeup guru and social media influencer, Savannah is host of the popular podcast, "Unlocked with Savannah Chrisley," approaching difficult conversations from a vulnerable, uncomfortable place in order to grow and learn. Through this podcast, Savannah hopes to inspire others to be their most authentic selves as she shares untold stories and introduces the world to a side of her they have never met.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
PRAY.COM to Sponsor EPA’s 2025 Cause of the Year: Faith & Technology
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19, 2025 – As the No. 1 app for daily prayer and faith-based content, PRAY.COM recently signed on to be the corporate sponsor of the Evangelical Press Association’s 2025 Cause of the Year: Faith & Technology.
To encourage its member publications to tackle certain important subjects, EPA’s annual contest features a Cause of the Year category. The Board of Directors chooses a specific topic and presents awards for the best material published on that subject during that year.
During 2025, publications are asked to address the subject of how technology can be used to advance the gospel. The parameters are purposefully broad and any article that touches on the subject of faith and technology will be eligible for the 2026 contest, along with a related photo or illustration.
EPA is the leading media association for Christian magazines and content-driven digital platforms.
In addition to conducting studies proving that use of the app benefits spiritual growth and mental health, PRAY.COM has also recently begun using AI to accelerate translation of content into multiple languages, helping to spread the Gospel among new and growing audiences. Other AI tools also facilitate the use of content clips to expand ministries’ outreach via social media and other communications channels, similarly furthering the reach of Gospel-centric content.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching 18 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, pastor podcasts and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.PRAY.COM/discover.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
‘The Chosen People’ Podcast from PRAY.com Provides Jewish Perspective on Scripture, Celebrates Common Biblical Heritage with Christians
Cinematic Journey Through Old Testament Given Fresh Perspective by Host Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
LOS ANGELES, Sep. 19, 2024 – PRAY.COM, the world’s leading app for daily prayer and faith-based audio content, proudly announces the release of The Chosen People, a new podcast hosted by Yael Eckstein, President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship). This captivating devotional series offers a cinematic audio experience, bringing to life the timeless stories of the Old Testament and highlighting their relevance to both Christian and Jewish audiences.
Through The Chosen People, listeners will journey into the hearts and minds of ancient Israel, experiencing tales of wonder and war, of slavery and salvation. These powerful stories reveal not only the history of a nation but also the essence of being people of faith—of wrestling with God, of surviving trials and tribulations, and of finding purpose amid tragedy and sin.
"The biblical characters each hold divine revelation, which is especially relevant to us today, as the world seems so dark and scary. When we dive deep, we realize that their stories are our stories—their fall from grace, their struggle to survive, and the heroes who rose to build and save a nation, all hold profound wisdom and guidance for our lives as both Christians and Jews," said Eckstein. "Within these biblical narratives lie deep spiritual truths about faith, prayer, and the human spirit. They are stories that continue to define the people of Israel to this day and can help Christians understand the root of their faith in a practical and inspirational way."
Recorded in Israel, The Chosen People brings ancient history to life with vivid storytelling and spiritual reflections. Listeners are invited to reflect on how the Bible’s lessons apply to their own lives of faith and prayer.
“We are honored to bring this unique series to our audience,” said Matthew Potter, co-founder of PRAY.COM. “Yael’s Jewish perspective illuminates the richness of these Old Testament stories, inviting listeners to explore the spiritual heritage of Israel and its role in shaping their own faith journey.”
With themes of survival, redemption, and divine purpose, The Chosen People invites listeners to immerse themselves in Bible stories that resonate across time. Whether discovering these stories for the first time or revisiting them with fresh eyes, listeners of this series will be inspired to reflect, while finding and a deeper connection to the foundational truths of Scripture.
The Chosen People will be available exclusively on PRAY.COM starting October 6, 2024. To subscribe and learn more about the podcast, visit thechosenpeople.com and preview a trailer here.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched a 24/7 live streaming video channel, PrayTV. Reaching more than 16 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck, and Matthew Potter. See more at https://www.alarryross.com/praycom.
About Yael Eckstein
Yael Eckstein is the President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. As a respected Jewish leader, speaker, and author, Yael continues the legacy of her father, Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein—fostering understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews. With over a decade of non-profit experience in multiple roles, she has the rare distinction of being a woman leading one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations. She resides in Israel, where she works to support Jews in need and build bridges of faith between communities. To learn more about the Fellowship’s work, visit http://www.ifcj.org.
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Note to Editors: A pre-release episode is available for advance review by members of the media upon request.
Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
PRAY.COM First Religious App to Reach 100 Million Podcast Downloads, 2.5 Billion Minutes
Prayers and Content Shared Make PRAY.COM most Impactful Platform
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 12, 2024 – As the No. 1 app for daily prayer and faith-based content, PRAY.COM recently surpassed 2.5 billion minutes in prayer and the 100 million podcast downloads milestone. This is significant in an industry marked by substantial year over year growth, with 66% of consumers today preferring podcasts over TV.
“In addition to billions of minutes spent in prayer, I am encouraged to see that we’ve also facilitated more than 142 million prayers shared across 185 countries worldwide,” said PRAY.COM founder and CEO Steve Gatena.
“We are grateful to God for the opportunity to produce stories that help point people to Him,” said Max Bard, PRAY.COM VP of Content. ”Everything we do is inspired by the Bible, produced to the highest quality standards, and we believe our audience continues to grow because no one else in the industry is creating anything like it.”
Some of the most popular content in the app includes “Bible in a Year with Jack Graham,” “The Jesus Podcast,” “Heroes in the Bible,” “Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes,” and “Bedtime Bible Stories.”
According to a recent study, listening to Bible in a Year or Bible Stories was correlated with a decrease in anxiety symptoms, which was just one of a number of mental health outcomes reported to be improved with Pray.com use.
“We hypothesized that the data would suggest PRAY.COM is positively impacting people with mental health challenges such as anxiety, stress and depression,” said PRAY.COM research scientist Breanne Laird, Ph.D. “Not only was this confirmed, but we were surprised at the levels of improvements reported by participants in our study.”
“We love that PRAY.COM is helping people all over the world, and even more that our members are sharing their faith with others by sharing our content,” added PRAY.COM founder Matthew Potter. “We praise God for the lives impacted, as that’s what it’s all about for us – not the numbers but the hearts that are reached.”
New content launching on PRAY.COM this fall includes a new “Heroes in the Bible” series on the life of Joseph, voiced by Dr. Ed Young, and “The Chosen People,” a journey through the Hebrew Bible hosted by Yael Eckstein. All PRAY.COM originally-produced podcasts are distributed by iHeartPodcasts and available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching more than 17 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, pastor podcasts and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.PRAY.COM/discover.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
INDYCAR’s Sting Ray Robb Launches ‘Race Day Reads’ on PRAY.COM
Young Christian Driver – Slated for the INDY 500 this Month – Shares Short Reflections on Scripture’s Impact in his Life
LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2024 – PRAY.COM, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based content, is excited to join with INDYCAR driver Sting Ray Robb – #41 with AJ Foyt Racing – to host “Race Day Reads with Sting Ray Robb.” In each short episode – the perfect length for young people on the go – the up-and-coming driver shares a personally meaningful Bible verse and how it has been impactful in his own life and spiritual journey. Listeners will appreciate his authenticity and transparency and will come to understand that every day is “race day” when it comes to living a life with purpose and meaning.
“Sting Ray is an exceptional young man with wisdom beyond his years, and we are honored to have him as part of the PRAY.COM family,” said Founder and CEO Steve Gatena. “His ‘Race Day Reads’ are relevant and timely, and align perfectly with our mission to help people incorporate prayer into their daily lives.”
“We are truly inspired by Sting Ray’s profound maturity and spiritual insight at just 22 years old, and are thrilled to welcome him to our platform to engage with our audience,” adds Co-founder Matthew Potter.. “As an INDYCAR driver, Sting Ray uniquely interprets the Bible’s frequent metaphor of the ‘race’—a concept he lives out both on and off the track. His reflections on faith promise to uplift and motivate everyone navigating the race of life.”
As a professional athlete, Robb has made it clear that his faith is very important to him, and he wants to use the platform that racing provides to help other people see that there is hope and purpose for their lives.
“Prayer is such an important part of spiritual health and well-being, and I want to help others see that,” Robb said. “It’s about connecting with God and growing to understand His purpose for our lives. He wants to have a personal relationship with us through prayer, and it’s the catalyst for changing us and helping us to become who we are meant to be.”
The team surrounding Robb is just as committed to his goals and appreciates PRAY.COM’s support and alignment with his desire to promote the importance and power of prayer in people’s lives. Philip Peters, Director of Faith-Based Initiatives for Robb, explains: “There is a massive need for guys to hear from a peer or role model that is living in the world of a very competitive sport, yet leaning not on his own strength. The story God is writing in Sting Ray’s life is just beginning, and we are grateful he’s letting us all in on the ride."
Find “Race Day Reads with Sting Ray Robb” and other faith-based audio content at www.PRAY.COM/pray, and learn more about Robb and his faith-fueled mission at https://www.foytracing.com/stingrayrobb.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched a 24/7 live streaming video channel, PrayTV. Reaching more than 16 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
New Studies Link Improved Mental Health to Use of Digitally-Delivered Faith and Prayer
Sponsored by PRAY.COM in Partnership with Credentialed Research Scientists and Institutions
LOS ANGELES, May 2. 2024 – As the No. 1 app for daily prayer, PRAY.COM recently partnered with credentialed researchers to study the benefits of digitally-delivered faith and prayer for mental health and well-being. The published results suggest a positive correlation between app usage and decreased anxiety, stress and depression. This is good news at a time when people are more interconnected digitally than in-person, yet approximately 26% of the U.S. adult population suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
“We are driven by a mission to grow faith and cultivate community. As a result, we believe it is important to conduct research regarding PRAY.COM as a practical, easy-to-use prayer resource to combat the ongoing mental health pandemic,” said Founder and CEO Steve Gatena. “We know there is a correlation between prayer and improved mental health and were excited to see positive mental health results with use of the PRAY.COM app. We hope this will encourage the scientific community to further examine the impact spiritual health can have on mental and physical health, an area of research that has been largely overlooked.”
Dr. Jennifer Huberty, former Director of Science at Calm, who recently joined PRAY.COM as Fractional Chief Science Advisor, led the company’s research efforts in partnership with Dr. Todd Hall, a professor of psychology at Biola University and a faculty affiliate at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program; Dr. Joshua Hook, Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of North Texas; and Dr. Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Associate Professor of Psychology at Hope College.
“As a Chief Science Officer, I help companies integrate science to provide evidence for their product and enhance innovation and credibility,” Huberty said. “PRAY.COM is committed to having a product that improves lives and I am happy to advise the science of their ongoing pursuit.”
Three studies were conducted, beginning with a cross-sectional survey of current subscribers of PRAY.COM. The results of this study, as published recently in the Journal of Religion and Health, showed that many individuals engaged with the app not only to grow spiritually, many also reported engaging with the app for mental and physical health concerns. Of those who came to PRAY.COM for a specific health outcome, high levels of significant to extreme improvements were reported, including:
● STRESS: 74% of respondents reported significant to extreme improvements
● ANXIETY: 69% reported significant to extreme improvements
● DEPRESSION: 60% reported significant to extreme improvements
● SLEEP: 94% of PRAY.COM subscribers who responded to the scientific survey reported significant to extreme improvements for sleep.
"It is very exciting and long overdue that we have a study that confirms what many in the world already know—the power of prayer—and mobile prayer applications can have a significant impact for mental health and wellness,” said Craig DeRoche, CEO of the Family Policy Alliance. “In 2023, with 50,000 taking their own lives in America, we lost more people to suicide than ever before. The crisis is real and growing—especially for those suffering from addiction and behavioral health challenges. As our nation continues to look at all viable options to address this crisis we are very excited about what digital prayer applications, like Pray.com, can do to help so many people like me when they are in crisis, and when they just wish to grow more spiritually.”
The second study entailed an assessment of PRAY.COM’s impact on moderately to severely stressed adults in an 8-week randomized controlled trial. Those who spent more time on the app reported greater reductions in mental health symptoms than participants who spent less time on the app. More specifically, the number of days spent using the app was related to reductions in stress, anxiety, depression and burnout, as well as increased mindfulness, measured at two months. This study is scheduled to be published in the journal “Spirituality in Clinical Practice” later this month.
A third study related specifically to people who identify with a racial or ethnic minority group, focusing on the feasibility of PRAY.COM as a tool to improve mental health and well-being and to better understand how different racial or ethnic groups interact with and benefit from PRAY.COM. The results were positive suggesting PRAY.COM is feasible and may be a tool to improve mental health symptoms in racial or ethnic groups, as published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Formative Research earlier this year.
“We are excited to share this foundational research exploring the impact of the faith- and prayer-based digital advancement, PRAY.COM,” said research scientist Breanne Laird, MS. “I look forward to continuing our investigation into how engagement with PRAY.COM may positively impact the mental health and well-being of its users.”
As the first religious mental health and wellness app to do so, PRAY.COM’s purpose in these studies is to drive scientific insight into the impact digitally-delivered faith and prayer has on mental health and to use its findings to raise more awareness of ways to strengthen mental health by practicing the healthy habit of frequent prayer.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching more than 16 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, pastor podcasts and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.PRAY.COM/discover.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
PRAY.COM’s Newest Podcast, ‘The Jesus Podcast’ Invites Listeners to an Intimate Journey with Jesus
Explores Grittiness of the Gospel, Transforms Audiences from Passive Listeners to Active Disciples
LOS ANGELES, May 1 , 2024 – PRAY.COM, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based content, is proud to announce the launch of its transformative new series, “The Jesus Podcast,” an extraordinary journey into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Having just launched this Easter season, this daily podcast stands as a pinnacle in Christian storytelling, meticulously unfolding the magnitude, impact and depth of Jesus' life in more than 260 enlightening episodes.
“We are so proud of this new podcast, that really takes listeners on a much deeper exploration of what Jesus experienced and taught while here on Earth,” PRAY.COM co-founder Matthew Potter said. “But it’s more than just head knowledge – there’s an emotional impact with the writing in this series that helps us understand and internalize Jesus’ love for each of us individually – that’s what makes it so life-changing!”
“The Jesus Podcast” invites listeners to travel back two thousand years and sit in on Jesus’ teaching as if they were among the disciples. The podcast leverages Hollywood-grade production to immerse listeners in the transformative world of Jesus – from Galilee to Jerusalem. Each episode, ranging from 16 to 30 minutes in length, captures the stirring tales of birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection, illustrating the vibrancy of Christ's parables and the miracles that underscore his dominion over darkness and sin.
"’The Jesus Podcast’ is more than a podcast. It’s a journey of hope and spiritual enlightenment," said host and writer Zak Shellabarger. "Blending masterful storytelling with profound theology, each episode touches upon themes of doubt, faith, shame and rebirth, inviting listeners to deepen their faith and stir their souls."
For individuals grappling with uncertainty in their faith journey, the podcast serves as a beacon of light, providing thoughtful insights and perspectives to help reconcile beliefs and find spiritual clarity. For those seeking a deeper intimacy in their faith journey, the podcast offers captivating storytelling and profound theological exploration. “The Jesus Podcast” aims to accompany listeners on their spiritual journey, offering support, inspiration and a pathway to experience Jesus of Nazareth in both his humanity and divinity.
Find “The Jesus Podcast” and other faith-based audio content at www.PRAY.COM/podcasts, on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched a 24/7 live streaming video channel, PrayTV. Reaching more than 16 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY.COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
PRAY.COM Launches Riveting Second Season of ‘Heroes in the Bible’ Hosted by Dr. Tony Evans
Debuting before Easter, Hit Podcast Series Focuses on the Miraculous Life of Jesus, Inviting Listeners into Scripture
LOS ANGELES, Mar. 21, 2023 – PRAY.COM, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based audio and video streaming content, announces – just in time for Easter – the exciting second season of its innovative and action-packed “Heroes in the Bible” series with Dr. Tony Evans, with this new season focusing on the miraculous life of Jesus.
Beginning with the foretelling of the Messiah’s arrival and the birth of John the Baptist, the second season of this series casts a light on the life of Christ—from His humble birth to His sacrificial act of redemption. This series uncovers the extraordinary within the miraculous, narrating His life's events with cinematic flair, inspiring listeners through the transformative power of the Bible by exploring the Jesus of the Gospels, whose teachings and actions have shaped the course of history.
“We are humbled and honored once again to have Dr. Evans lend his remarkable voice and presence for this epic series, which ranked No. 1 on Apple podcast charts with 3.7 million downloads,” said PRAY.COM founder and CEO Steve Gatena. “We couldn’t be more excited about releasing these new episodes, and we know that millions will be blessed by this podcast about the most important Bible hero of all time.”
Dr. Evans powerfully shares these incredible experiences in his characteristic teaching style, captivating listeners with the transformative power of the Bible. Each episode reinvigorates these biblical narratives, masterfully enacted by a diverse cast of voiceover talent. The soundscapes, richly detailed and meticulously crafted, are complemented by custom musical scores, offering an enveloping auditory experience.
“When we reflect upon the goodness of Christ, we are granted a deepened reverence, gratitude and hope,” said series host Dr. Evans. “In that blessing, we receive peace and excitement to share that same message with others. This is the most valuable gift we could ever give—the hope that can only be found in Jesus.”
PRAY.COM co-founder Matthew Potter adds “The story of Jesus is what the Bible is all about, and we greatly appreciate how Dr. Evans helps us all understand how Jesus is the hero in every one of our stories.”
Recognized as one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles, Dr. Evans is a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, serving the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths using simple, yet profound, illustrations. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith. Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/.
"We are so excited to bring the story of Jesus to life for our members, in our signature cinematic story-telling style,” said PRAY.COM VP of Content Max Bard. “Of all the biblical figures, Christ is the most important, and only someone with the voice and the depth of Dr. Tony Evans could do it justice."
In addition to “Heroes in the Bible,” PRAY.COM hosts podcasts from leading Christian pastors and speakers, meditative and reflective prayers and Bible-based resources to aid listeners wherever they may be in their spiritual growth journeys. Find “Heroes in the Bible” and other prayer and faith-based audio content at www.pray.com/podcasts, iHeart Radio or Apple.
About PRAY.COM
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, PRAY.COM is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content.Reaching more than 16 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, PRAY.COM is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. PRAY.COM provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. PRAY,COM founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
About Tony Evans
Dr. Tony Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for over 40 years, witnessing its growth from ten people in 1976 to now over 10,000 congregants with over 100 ministries. Dr. Evans also serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can also be heard as a podcast and on the Tony Evans App.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
Exciting New Season of ‘Bible in a Year with Jack Graham’ on Pray.com Tops Religion Podcasts Charts, Inviting Listeners to Dive Deeper with God
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23, 2024 – Pray.com, the leading app for prayer and faith-based audio content, announces season 2 of “Bible in a Year with Jack Graham” has hit No. 1 on Apple among religious podcasts as it invites listeners to embark on an epic journey that will deepen their understanding of Scripture. Produced in collaboration with iHeartPodcasts, “Bible in a Year with Jack Graham” brings the Bible to life through cinematic storytelling and an original soundtrack performed by a 61-piece orchestra. Each of the 244 episodes runs under 15 minutes—perfect for people on the go, as attested to by the series’ 40 million downloads to-date. Whether listeners are beginning their first journey through the Bible or cruising along their seventeenth, “Bible in a Year” is a convenient resource for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of Scripture.
"Season 2 of ‘Bible in a Year with Jack Graham’ features even more exciting biblical content, exploring the stories, hidden gems and the timeless wisdom that can only be found in God’s Word,” said Max Bard, VP of Content at Pray.com. “Engaging and inspiring, this series makes it easy for listeners to establish a routine of spending time with God every day.”
Dr. Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic congregations with over 50,000 members. He is a noted author of numerous books, including “Life According to Jesus,” “Reignite: Fresh Focus for an Enduring Faith,” and his most recent, “Angels: Who They Are, What They Do, and Why It Matters.” His passionate, biblical teaching is also seen and heard across the country and throughout the world on “PowerPoint Ministries.” Graham has served as Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer and has helped lead numerous national prayer initiatives. He also served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the country, with more than 14 million members.
“It’s been an honor and a joy to partner with the team at Pray.com in bringing this great project to life,” Graham said. “There’s never been a more important time to spread the influence of God’s Word to our communities, our country and the world. We pray the ‘Bible in a Year’ podcast format invites people to engage with Scripture in a new way, diving deeper into God’s character while journeying through the grand biblical narrative.”
Pray.com's co-founder and head of strategic relationships Matthew Potter couldn't contain his enthusiasm for the exhilarating season 2 launch: "We're incredibly blessed and thrilled to advance our journey with Pastor Jack Graham at the helm of our unparalleled 'Bible in a Year' podcast. The Bible's profound and vast legacy demands the expertise and passion of a luminary like Dr. Graham. It's a privilege of the highest order to collaborate with him. Together, we're on a mission to transform lives through the podcast ‘Bible In A Year,’ empowering listeners to weave biblical wisdom into the fabric of their daily lives, fostering growth in faith and enlightenment."
In addition to “Bible in a Year with Jack Graham,” Pray.com hosts podcasts from leading Christian pastors and speakers, meditative and reflective prayers and Bible-based resources to aid listeners wherever they may be in their spiritual growth journeys. Pray.com podcasts are distributed by iHeartPodcasts.
Find “Bible in a Year with Jack Graham” and other prayer and faith-based audio content at
www.pray.com/discover, on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching more than 15 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
Pray.com Addresses Apple App Store in China Restricting Access to Content, Impacting National Day of Prayer Livestream
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22, 2024 – In a recent development that underscores the challenges of digital content accessibility in restrictive regulatory environments, Pray.com — the premier digital platform for faith-based content, prayer and spiritual community engagement — is being removed from the Apple App Store in mainland China. This decision aligns with the Chinese government’s policies on internet publishing and significantly affects Pray.com’s mission to grow faith and cultivate community on a global scale.
A direct consequence of this action is that individuals in China will no longer have the ability to participate in the National Day of Prayer livestream through Pray.com, an event that in previous years featured notable figures such as President Joe Biden, Chris Tomlin and Franklin Graham. This livestream has been a pivotal moment for people around the world to be able to join in collective prayer and worship with the most influential Christians in the United States.
This revocation signals a change from previous policies, which allowed the Christian prayer app to minister in the Communist nation. “Since starting Pray.com we’ve grown accustomed to positive relations with China. President Xi Jinping has allowed for the printing of nearly 150 million Bibles per year, and President Trump ensured that Bibles were exempt from Chinese tariffs,” said cofounder Mike Lynn.
Steve Gatena, founder and CEO of Pray.com, expressed that “in response to these limitations, our team is exploring alternative avenues to deliver our content and services to people in mainland China. As we work on a solution, I want to personally extend an invitation to President Xi to join us for this year’s National Day of Prayer event in Washington, D.C.”
“I am speaking with former President Donald J. Trump tonight. We are committed to overcoming these barriers to ensure that our global community remains connected and supported, especially during significant spiritual observances such as the National Day of Prayer,” said Matt Potter, cofounder of Pray.com.
Pray.com stands in solidarity with its members in China during this challenging time and is working tirelessly to find solutions that align with regulatory requirements while maintaining its core mission to grow faith and cultivate community.
“We will continue to pursue avenues to deliver Pray.com as far and wide as possible,” said Ryan Beck, cofounder of Pray.com.
For updates on this situation and information on how to support their efforts, please visit their website at www.pray.com.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching more than 16 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
Pray.com Enters World of INDYCAR with Sting Ray Robb Partnership
Up-and-Coming Young Driver, #41 with AJ Foyt Racing, is
Committed Man of Prayer
NASHVILLE, Feb. 20, 2024 – Pray.com, the No. 1 app for prayer and Bible-based audio content, announced today its new partnership with the INDYCAR racing circuit’s rising new star Sting Ray Robb for the 2024 season. Pray.com and the young driver – only in his second year and his first as part of the legendary AJ Foyt Racing team – originally connected over their aligned beliefs and goals, sharing a commitment to prayer and a community of growing faith.
“With the explosive growth of Christian advertisers being embraced by television networks like CBS, FOX, and others we recognized motorsports fans as an incredible audience for Pray.com. We partnered up with Sting Ray – not only because of his cool name but also because of his miraculous testimony,” said Pray.com Founder and CEO Steve Gatena. “The more the pray.com team go to know him, the more we came to love him – he’s got an infectious faith and a great passion for sharing the power of prayer.”
Pray.com sees alignment with Sting Ray Robb’s mission to bring faith into the fast lane and wants to support him in his efforts to communicate the importance of prayer to younger audiences. Future aspects of the partnership may include Sting Ray Robb prayer content on Pray.com or devotional projects aimed at helping young people get on track with God.
Pray.com timed the announcement to coincide with the annual National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention in Nashville Feb. 19-23, for which it serves as a platinum sponsor. Pray.com invited Robb to join them onsite for the week so they could introduce him to the thousands of Christian communicators gathered for a time of encouragement, networking and learning.
"I've been a fan of Christian music, film and television my whole life,” Robb said. “Growing up in Idaho and working through the racing ranks, I have traveled and met many people. Being at NRB this week with people I consider my ‘faith’ family is an honor and a blessing. Being able to not only share my racing journey but also openly share about my faith is what has driven me for my entire career, and I look forward to sharing that with others during my time at NRB with pray.com this year."
Robb, age 22, is an Idaho native who began his career racing go-karts as a young boy, finding great international success before transitioning to race cars in 2017. He’s now based in Indianapolis with the AJ Foyt Racing team. Robb is a graduate of INDYCAR's open wheel ladder series and earned a scholarship to the INDY NXT by Firestone series. Named after the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Robb enters his second year in the NTT INDYCAR Series driving a Chevrolet-powered car for the first time. He will begin his 2024 NTT INDYCAR Series in Florida March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Sting Ray Robb’s season will include 17 races throughout the year spanning coast to coast from Long Beach, Calif., and concluding the season on the Streets of Nashville, Tenn. In May, it will include the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 which draws over 350,000 people in attendance. Race weekends can be viewed on NBC, USA and Peacock throughout the season.
Robb looks forward to partnering with Pray.com and using his INDYCAR platform to reach young people with positive messages about faith and prayer, sharing the story of his own spiritual journey with others. Pray.com is grateful for the opportunity to join him in that endeavor as it similarly seeks to grow faith, cultivate community and leave a legacy of helping others.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer having facilitated more than a billion minutes in prayer and over 100 million prayers shared globally. Pray.com reaches more than 1 million people per day through its podcasts, mobile app, and website. Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
About AJ Foyt Racing
AJ Foyt Racing, headquartered northwest of Houston, has been competing at the top levels of motorsports since December 1965, nearly 60 years. With A.J. Foyt driving, his team won two Indianapolis 500s and three national IndyCar championships. Since Foyt's retirement from driving in 1993, the team has continued to win, claiming two more national titles and the 1999 Indianapolis 500 with driver Kenny Brack. See more at www.foytracing.com.187
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Media Contacts:
For Pray.com: For Sting Ray Robb
Melany Ethridge, 214-912-8934 Philip Peters
melany@alarryross.com PR@stingrayrobb.com
Pray.com Named to Inc. Business Media’s Vet100 List
Ventura area company ranked among 100 Fastest-Growing Veteran-Owned Businesses
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3, 2023 – Pray.com, the #1 app for daily prayer and faith-based content, has been named to the annual Vet100 list—a compilation of the nation’s fastest growing veteran-owned businesses. The ranking, created in partnership with Inc. Business Media and Syracuse University's D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), was born out of the iconic Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies based in the U.S. Both distinctions are considered hallmarks of entrepreneurial success.
“It was an honor to make the Inc. 5000 list, which we credit to the tens of millions of individuals who’ve turned to Pray.com and its content for spiritual support; now to be recognized on the Vet100 is even more meaningful,” said Pray.com CEO and Founder Steve Gatena. “Pray.com’s team is a reflection of the mission it pursues, values it lives, and customers it serves, which include members of the armed forces community.”
In addition to being named #1 in its market on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list, Pray.com was #3 in the media industry, #27 in the state and #116 overall, placing it at #15 on the Vet100 list. Pray was also named to Inc.’s 2023 Best Workplaces list and these special categories: Established Excellence: 5-14 years in business; Prosperous and Thriving: $5MM – $50MM in gross revenue; Micro: Employee size 10-49; and Pacific Region: AK, CA, HI, OR, WA. In addition, Pray.com was named to the Inc. 2022 Best in Business list in the General Excellence category last December, making it the first religious media company to be recognized for this award.
“Economic prosperity is so important to so many aspects of American life, from home and main street to even our standing in the world,” says Scott Omelianuk, Inc. Business Media’s Editor in Chief. “Given that prosperity is driven by small business, and given, we now know, the impact Veteran founders have on that small business, we can only continue to recognize them and say, again, thank you for your service.”
“In almost every industry we see veteran-owned businesses excelling by applying leadership and management skills they learned from their military service and having tremendous impact in their communities,” said Dr. Mike Haynie, Syracuse University Vice Chancellor as well as the Founder and Executive Director of the IVMF. “Veteran entrepreneurs are a critical component of the small business landscape, and we’re excited to see some of our program graduates recognized by Inc., particularly those who are enjoying recurring placement on the Vet100 list. We appreciate Inc.’s commitment to highlighting these success stories. One specific area we’re proud to see growth this year is the number of those businesses whose veteran business owners are women. All of us here at the IVMF take pride in moments like these and we’re grateful for the continued partnership with Inc.”
For more information on the Vet100 list, visit: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/vet100/
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Media Contacts:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible based audio content. Reaching more than 14 million people world-wide through its mobile app and website, it is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. It launched “Bible in a Year with Jack Graham” earlier this year, which rocketed to #1 on the Spotify religion list. Its newest podcast, “Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes,” launches this month. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Michael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See https://alarryross.com/pray-com for more information.
About Inc. Business Media and the Inc. 5000
The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. Business Media offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest- growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. Business Media. For more information, visit
About Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Syracuse University's D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) delivers no-cost career training and entrepreneurship programs across the US and globally. And we help ease the transition after service back into communities for service members, veterans and their families as well as prepare them for successful careers and business ownership. We've supported over 200,000 to date. It's our mission to support theirs. For more information, visit ivmf.syracuse.edu and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Pray.com and iHeartMedia Launch New Podcast, ‘Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes,’ Offering Tranquility for Meditative, Peace-filled Sleep
LOS ANGELES – November 2, 2023 – Pray.com, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based audio content, and iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, announce the eagerly anticipated launch of “Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes,” a soothing, spiritual podcast to enlighten, inspire and deepen faith through the timeless wisdom of the Psalms, offering peaceful nights of rest.
“It’s an honor and privilege to work with a multi-generational icon like Bishop T.D. Jakes on a project that helps people battle anxiety, depression, and insomnia,” said Pray.com CEO Steve Gatena. “With Sleep Psalms, we are able to bring God’s grace to those seeking rest and renewal so they can find a pocket of peace before they go to sleep.”
In fact, in a recent study, over 94% of Pray.com subscribers reported that using Pray.com helped to improve their sleep.
Presented by renowned spiritual leader Bishop T.D. Jakes, this podcast ushers listeners into serene reflection and comfort through the beautiful and poetic messages of God’s Word. “Sleep Psalms” features 150 episodes from what many consider the most cherished book in the Bible for restful sleep and renewed strength.
Visionary, provocative thinker and one of the world’s most revered communicators, Bishop T.D. Jakes serves as the CEO & Chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group, a global conglomerate at the intersection of ministry and marketplace; who is also the senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a global humanitarian organization and 30,000-member church headquartered in Dallas. Twice featured on the cover of TIME, Bishop Jakes’ wisdom, care and light shine through his numerous efforts of benevolence, including from within this timely podcast.
“In a world that often feels chaotic, finding solace and rest is difficult for so many people. In fact, it’s one of the biggest challenges I’ve seen in our world today among countless individuals,” shares Bishop Jakes. “This is more than a podcast; it’s a nightly retreat into the embrace of the Divine — an authentic solution for those struggling to find peace.”
Offering a serene haven, “Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes” combats sleep deficiency and its symptoms, from increased risk of chronic illness, to higher probabilities of depression and anxiety, to impaired concentration and diminished quality of life. This profound, tranquil podcast allows listeners to improve their sleep and overall health, readying them to face the challenges of everyday life with wisdom and faith.
“Many people are looking for resources to help instill peace and take a break from their hectic day-to-day lives,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. “iHeartMedia is thrilled to partner with Pray.com and introduce ‘Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes’ to guide our listeners to superior sleep and unwind from their daily lives.”
In addition to “Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes,” Pray.com hosts podcasts from various leading Christian pastors and speakers, meditative and reflective prayers and Bible-based resources to aid listeners wherever they may be in their spiritual growth journeys. Pray.com podcasts are distributed by iHeartPodcasts.
Find “Sleep Psalms with Bishop T.D. Jakes” and other prayer and faith-based audio content at www.pray.com/podcasts, on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched a 24/7 live streaming video channel, PrayTV. Reaching more than 15 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Mchael Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
New ‘Heroes in the Bible’ Podcast with Dr. Tony Evans Tops Religion Podcast Charts in First Month Sponsored by ACCU
Sponsored by ACCU, series focuses on life of David
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12, 2023 – Since its release just over a month ago, Pray.com‘s new “Heroes in the Bible” podcast, hosted by Dr. Tony Evans, has ranked No. 1 on Apple’s religion podcast list. Pray.com, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based audio and video streaming content, launched the series focused on the life of King David, with new episodes releasing weekly.
“We are so grateful for the overwhelming response to this podcast, knowing that much of the interest is due to Dr. Evans’ esteemed reputation as a Bible teacher and preacher,” said Pray.com’s VP of Content Max Bard. “It's been a privilege partnering and collaborating with Dr. Evans on this impactful series, and it's heartening to see how it resonates with listeners who find parallels with David's challenges.”
The podcast series walks audiences through the lives of impactful biblical characters, inspiring them to consider how the lessons from their stories can be applied to our present-day circumstances. The first series focuses on the life of David, from his humble beginnings to his eventual ascension as king.
Hosted by Dr. Evans, who is recognized as one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles, this series serves to remind listeners that the same God who strengthened His people back then is the same God who exists and strengthens us today. Those factors, alongside Pray.com’s signature cinematic storytelling, have helped the podcast captivate listeners with the transformative power of the Bible.
As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, Dr. Evans serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths using simple, yet profound, illustrations. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith. Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/.
In addition to “Heroes in the Bible,” Pray.com hosts podcasts from leading Christian pastors and speakers, meditative and reflective prayers and Bible-based resources to aid listeners wherever they may be in their spiritual growth journeys. Find “Heroes in the Bible” and other prayer and faith-based audio content at www.pray.com/podcasts, or on Apple or Spotify.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched a 24/7 live streaming video channel, PrayTV. Reaching more than 15 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Mike Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
Pray.com Launches ‘Meditative Prayers’ Podcast Hosted by Father-Son Duo, Dr. Tim and Zach Clinton
New Series Underscores Christian Meditation as Integral to Focused Spiritual Life
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2023 – Pray.com, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based content, is excited to announce the launch of “Meditative Prayers” with Dr. Tim and Zach Clinton, focused on combating common struggles, including mental health and relationship issues, with meditative prayer. The Clintons encourage listeners to join them for these meditative prayers that will “help you step out of the pit you may find yourself in and into the purpose and potential God has prepared for your life.”
Mental Health issues are rampant among all sectors of society – including people of devout faith – and come in a variety of forms and degrees. And while one in five adults in the United States live with a mental illness, many do not receive the care they need. Studies have shown that prayer can be helpful with mental health issues, especially conditions such as mild stress or anxiety that aren’t categorized as serious mental illness. This new series underscores Christian meditation as an integral aspect of spiritual self-care, facilitating an unwavering focus on God’s divine presence and the timeless wisdom in His Word.
“When you learn to integrate spiritual disciplines into the most mundane moments of every day, the presence of the Lord gives you strength to overcome the struggles that once seemed impossible,” said series host Dr. Tim Clinton. “We believe that ‘Meditative Prayers’ will be a great tool to help restore peace of mind and center listeners’ focus on the problem solver rather than the problem.”
Dr. Tim Clinton is a renowned therapist and president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. His son Zach serves as vice president and is founder and host of the Built Different podcast.
“I’m excited to be partnering with my dad on this project, as we each bring a different perspective to many of the issues affecting listeners across both our generations,” Zach said. “We are especially grateful to Pray.com for recognizing the need for this kind of content and working with us to produce such a quality project. We know it will be of immense help to everyone who hears it.”
Some of the themes that will be addressed on the show include anxiety, relationships, anger, parenting, stress and 25 others. There are 210 episodes in the series – seven focused on each theme – releasing weekdays beginning this month. The topics and tone will resonate with both men and women and across all ages. “Meditative Prayers” seeks to lift some of the burdens people are carrying, providing spiritual care aligned with common struggles, taking a holistic approach to renewal of mind, body and spirit.
"We are honored to release ‘Meditative Prayers,’ enriched by the profound insights and expertise of Dr. Tim and Zach Clinton,” said Pray.com VP of Content Max Bard. “This series applies biblical wisdom and spiritual disciplines to draw listeners closer to God, build on relationships, and improve mental health."
In addition to “Meditative Prayers,” Pray.com hosts podcasts from leading Christian pastors and speakers, daily prayers and Bible-based resources to aid listeners wherever they may be in their spiritual growth journeys. Find “Meditative Prayers” and other prayer and faith-based audio content at www.pray.com/discover, or on Apple or Spotify.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. Reaching more than 15 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Mike Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934
Pray.com Launches ‘Heroes in the Bible’ Podcast Hosted by Dr. Tony Evans
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24, 2023 – Pray.com, the No. 1 app for prayer and faith-based audio and video streaming content, is thrilled to announce the launch of “Heroes in the Bible” with Dr. Tony Evans, focused on the life of King David. This new series is sponsored by America's Christian Credit Union (ACCU) which, since 1958, has provided banking services to churches, ministries, Christian schools and individuals who belong to these Gospel-centric organizations.
Not only does this podcast walk through the lives of impactful biblical characters, but it also inspires listeners to consider how the lessons from their stories can be applied to our present-day circumstances. The first episode of the series, “Chapter 1: A Rejected God,” lays the foundation for the series, beginning with Saul, the first king of Israel. Further episodes introduce David’s humble beginnings and follow through to his eventual ascension as king. New episodes release weekly beginning this month, with 30 episodes planned.
This series focuses on the extraordinary character hidden within ordinary people, reminding listeners that the same God who strengthened His people back then is the same God who exists and strengthens us today. Dr. Tony Evans shares these incredible experiences through cinematic storytelling that will captivate listeners with the transformative power of the Bible.
“When you understand that the greatness of God affects our ability to handle the ‘giants of life,’ it will encourage, inspire and challenge all of us to our faith in God and our growth in Jesus Christ,” said series host Dr. Evans. “David’s story is one that should, can and will equip every believer to understand that the giants we face don’t have to have the last word in our lives.”
Recognized as one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles, Dr. Evans is a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, serving the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths using simple, yet profound, illustrations. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith. “I’m excited to have [listeners] join me on this new podcast, ‘Heroes in the Bible,’” Dr. Evans added. Learn more about Dr. Tony Evans at https://tonyevans.org/.
"We are very honored to release Heroes in the Bible, enriched by the profound insights and expertise of Dr. Tony Evans,” said Pray.com VP of Content Max Bard. “This series innovatively weaves biblical narratives, providing an engaging exploration of Scripture that reveals the intricate interconnections within its events. It promises to enthrall all listeners eager to delve deep into the intricacies of the Bible."
In addition to “Heroes in the Bible,” Pray.com hosts podcasts from leading Christian pastors and speakers, meditative and reflective prayers and Bible-based resources to aid listeners wherever they may be in their spiritual growth journeys. Find “Heroes in the Bible” and other prayer and faith-based audio content at www.pray.com/podcasts, or on Apple or Spotify.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched a 24/7 live streaming video channel, PrayTV. Reaching more than 15 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Mike Lynn, Ryan Beck and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
About Tony Evans
Dr. Tony Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for over 40 years, witnessing its growth from ten people in 1976 to now over 10,000 congregants with over 100 ministries. Dr. Evans also serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can also be heard as a podcast and on the Tony Evans App.
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Media Contact:
Melany Ethridge
melany@alarryross.com
214-912-8934