Facebook Introduces New Prayer Tool Prompting Mixed Reactions From Users
In this photo illustration, a smart phone screen displays the logo of Facebook on a Facebook website background, on April 7, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia - Facebook usage has held steady in the United States despite a string of controversies about the leading social network, even as younger users tap into rival platforms such as TikTok, a survey showed Wednesday. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Social media mogul Facebook has recently released a new prayer request feature, which is a tool that is being embraced by some religious leaders, while others were eyeing it cautiously.

Critics are weighing its usefulness against the privacy and security concerns they have with Facebook, according to an NBC News report.

Members in Facebook Groups with the prayer feature use it to rally prayer power for upcoming job interviews, illnesses, and other personal challenges.

After users create a post, other users can tap an "I prayed" button just like how like or other reactions are used.

Facebook Prayer Tool

The social media platform had started testing it in the United States in December 2020 to expand its support on faith communities.

Facebook's statement noted that they have seen many faith and spiritual communities use their services to connect amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rev. Robert Jeffress, from First Baptist Church in Dallas, was among the pastors welcoming the prayer feature of Facebook.

Jeffress said that other social media platforms should continue the effort to spread the word while connecting believers, according to a Fox News report.

He said that he encourages any effort that urges people to turn to the one true God in time of need.

A Muslim chaplain at The Claremont Colleges in California had also supported the effort.

Adeel Zeb said that as long as these companies initiate proper protocols to ensure the safety of those marginalized, people should jump on board on the effort.

Facebook said in a blog post that they want to equip people with the online tools and information to continue inspiring people and give them hope.

However, Rev. Bob Stec, the pastor of St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick, Ohio, had other opinions on the new feature.

Stec said that the feature an be a good thing, but he was worried about privacy surrounding people sharing deeply personal traumas.

He asked if it is wise to post everything about everyone for the whole world to see, according to a Fox 5 Atlanta News report.

The Union of Reform Judaism president, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, said that he could see why other people would look at the new tool skeptically.

Jacobs said they have been using the chat function to share who they are praying for.

A nondenominational congregation said that they saw the function go live about 10 weeks ago in its Facebook group.

The Crossroads Community Church, based in Vancouver, Washington, said that they have around 2,500 members in their Facebook Group.

An executive pastor of ministries, Gabe Moreno, said that about 20 to 30 prayer requests are posted every day. This had prompted 30 to 40 responses to each post, according to an Associated Press News report.

A group moderator, Deniece Flippen, had turned off her alerts for her posts saying that she will be greeted with a flood of support when she checks back.

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Written by Mary Webber

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