There are plenty of logistical, ecclesial, technological and social considerations for churches hoping to build a bridge between in-person and digital prayer. Though that journey will be unique to every church, this study helps define the starting point: the qualities and emotions of U.S. Christians’ existing prayer lives. These general experiences are instructive in pointing to the expectations that Christians may bring to future prayer gatherings, digital or in-person.

Types & Topics of Christians’ Prayers

As shared on page 6, past Barna research indicates most prayers are silent. Indeed, in this survey, seven in 10 Christians (70%) say they have prayed silently at some point in the last year, by far the top choice from a series of possible prayer scenarios that Barna presented. This prayer type is especially popular for Christian Boomers (83%). Meanwhile, a distant four in 10 Christians (39%) say they have voiced private prayers aloud while by themselves. Although silent prayers are certainly popular, only one in 10 Christians (9%) says they have only prayed silently this year without engaging in other kinds of prayer.

Intercessory prayer, or prayer on behalf of others, is another fairly common trait of Christians’ prayers. Overall, one-third or more Christians reports that, in the past year, they’ve prayed intentionally for someone who wasn’t present (40%), for their community (40%), for the government (32%), even for miracles (35%).

Intercessory prayer, or prayer on behalf of others, is a fairly common trait of Christians’ prayers