A Division of PRAY.COM
Science-Backed
Faith & Prayer
Where faith meets evidence.
Peer-reviewed research demonstrating how faith and prayer improve mental health, well-being, and meaning in life.
Our Approach
An Evidence-Based Foundation
Grounded in four evidence-based psychological frameworks
Attachment Theory
Connection with a higher power as a source of emotional security and resilience.
Self-Regulation Theory
Prayer and meditation as pathways to reduce stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Meaning-Making Model
Faith-based interpretation of adversity as a route to lower distress and restored purpose.
Belongingness Theory
Faith community as a buffer against isolation and a foundation for well-being.
The Evidence
Key Research Findings
Across 16,000+ research participants, PRAY.COM consistently demonstrates meaningful improvements in mental health and well-being.
report significant-to-extreme improvement
in at least one health or well-being outcome
report improvement in stress and anxiety
Published Research
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Among the first faith-based apps with peer-reviewed evidence for mental health impact.
The Impact of Using a Faith and Prayer Mobile Application, Pray.com, on Mental Health and Well-Being
U.S. Adults with Elevated Stress · 2024
Feasibility & Preliminary Efficacy TrialMental Health and Well-Being in Racial or Ethnic Minority Individuals After Using a Faith and Prayer Mobile App (Pray.com)
Racial & Ethnic Minority Adults · 2024
National Cross-Sectional SurveyExploring User Perceptions of a Mobile App for Religious Practices
PRAY.COM Subscribers · 2024
National SurveyFaith & Mental Health in Veterans
American Legion Members · 2025
Member SurveyPRAY.COM for Mental Health in University Communities
Students, Faculty & Alumni · 2025
Member SurveyPRAY.COM for Mental Health in Military Communities
Veterans, Active Duty Military, Spouses & Families · 2025
Cross-Sectional Survey and InterviewsPRAY.COM for Cancer Patient, Survivor, & Caregiver Mental Health
Cancer Patients, Survivors & Caregivers · 2025
Single-Arm Feasibility StudyPRAY.COM for University Student Mental Health
University Students · 2025
The Impact of Using a Faith and Prayer Mobile Application, Pray.com, on Mental Health and Well-Being
Laird et al., 2024
U.S. adults experiencing elevated stress showed significant improvements in mental health outcomes after using the PRAY.COM app.
Exploring User Perceptions of a Mobile App for Religious Practices
Laird et al., 2024
PRAY.COM subscribers reported meaningful improvements across key health and well-being outcomes since beginning to use the app.
Mental Health and Well-Being in Racial or Ethnic Minority Individuals After Using a Faith and Prayer Mobile App (PRAY.COM)
Laird et al., 2024
PRAY.COM demonstrated feasibility and the potential to positively influence mental health symptoms and spiritual well-being in diverse populations.
10 additional studies completed with data across veterans, military families, cancer patients, caregivers, and university communities.
Survey Data
University & Military Evidence
Survey data from PRAY.COM members across university and military communities.
Coming Soon
Studies in Review
Additional peer-reviewed studies currently under review, expanding our evidence to new populations.
Perceptions of the Pray.com App for Supporting Faith and Psychological Well-Being Among People Living With and Beyond a Cancer Diagnosis
Perceptions of a Faith-Based Mobile App for Supporting Psychological Well-Being and Faith Among Caregivers of People Living With and Beyond Cancer
A Faith-Based Mobile Application for Mental Health and Well-Being Among University Students: A Single-Arm Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness Trial
Who We Study
Impact Across Populations
Research spanning 16,000+ participants from general wellness to clinical and healthcare populations.
General Population
Subclinical
Clinical
Healthcare
participants
studies
populations
published
Our People
Researchers, Scientists & Partners
A team of behavioral scientists, digital health experts, and academic partners driving rigorous, impactful research.
Victor Harris, COO
Division Lead
Leads the research division, driving the strategic vision for integrating scientific research into PRAY.COM's mission.
Breanne Laird, PhD
Research Director
Leads research operations, study design, and partnerships across all research initiatives. Lead author on published studies.
Jen Huberty, PhD
Fractional Chief Science Officer
Provides scientific leadership and oversight. Expert in digital health interventions and behavioral science research methodology.
Research Collaborators
Scientists who have co-investigated or co-authored studies with our team
Joshua N. Hook, PhD
University of North Texas
Daryl R. Van Tongeren, PhD
Hope College
Todd Hall, PhD
Biola University
Bridgette Do
Arizona State University
Sabrina Zuniga
University of North Texas
Nicholas Markette, PhD
Grand Canyon University
Rick Dunham
Dunham+Company
Research Partners
Institutional Collaborations
Grand Canyon University
College of Doctoral Studies
Active research collaboration studying the intersection of faith, digital wellness, and mental health outcomes.
American Legion
Veteran Services
National survey partnership studying faith and mental health in veteran and military communities with over 6,700 participants.
Regent University
Campus Wellness
Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness study exploring the impact of PRAY.COM on university student mental health and well-being.
Get In Touch
Connect With Our Research Team
Interested in research collaboration, campus wellness, or faith-based healthcare solutions? We'd love to hear from you.