This week, Pray As You Go, the free prayer app from the Jesuits in Britain, celebrates 20 years of helping Catholics and seekers alike find space for daily prayer and reflection.

What began in March 2006 as a Lenten experiment by Fr Peter Scally SJ, a British Jesuit priest who recorded short podcasts for commuters using Ignatian prayer, has grown into a global ministry. Today, Pray As You Go serves over half a million people annually, with more than 134,000 active users each month. Many users return frequently, averaging nearly seven sessions and over 34 minutes of prayer each month.

The largest audiences are in the United States (65,260 monthly users) and the United Kingdom (23,316), but the community now stretches to many other countries, including Australia, South Africa and the Philippines.

Angelique, a Pray As You Go user, said:  

“I have prayed with Pray As You Go since 2008 and it has been a great blessing to me. My daughter now prays with it too and shares the meditations with her husband and young children.”

Emma Hudson, Director of Pray As You Go, said:

“Life can feel rushed and overwhelming, and it’s easy to go days without a moment to pause. Over the past 20 years, Pray As You Go has become a quiet companion for hundreds of thousands around the world, helping them find a little time to be still and reconnect, wherever they are.

“Looking back, it’s been wonderful to see how the journey has unfolded, but we’re even more excited for the future. With our recent rebranding, new resources in development, and a new monthly series with the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, there is so much to look forward to as we continue this journey together.”

The Pray As You Go app is available on both the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android, so listeners can easily install it on their phones or tablets. You can also use the website prayasyougo.org to begin.

Daily meditation, prayer, and music

Each day, a new 10–13-minute session is released, combining music, scripture and reflective questions. Rooted in the spiritual exercises developed by St Ignatius of Loyola in the 1500s, users are encouraged to use their imagination and senses to meet God in their everyday lives.

Music is central to the experience. From classical and chant to choral and contemporary pieces, each meditation is carefully crafted to help listeners enter more deeply into prayer.

Beyond the daily meditation, the platform offers guided prayer series, digital retreats and the Examen, a short reflective prayer to review the day and notice where God has been present.

Looking forward: families and accessibility

As Pray As You Go marks its 20th anniversary, its focus is turning towards families, schools and young people, with new resources being developed specifically for children, parents and educators.

The ministry is also expanding Sign As You Pray, making prayer more accessible for the Deaf community. Resources are currently available in British Sign Language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL), with Irish Sign Language launching in March.

Free, supported by generosity

Pray As You Go remains entirely free. The service is sustained by generous donations and the gift of time and talent from contributors around the world.  

Donations helps ensure that this digital sanctuary continues to grow and reach those who need it most. Donate today at www.prayasyougo.org/donate