China has banned the Christian devotional app Pray.com from its Apple App Store, signaling a shift in the government’s stance on internet publishing. The move will limit access to the app’s National Day of Prayer livestream, which has previously featured notable figures like President Joe Biden and Franklin Graham.
Pray.com, which boasts 16 million users worldwide and provides daily prayers and Bible stories, had previously operated under more lenient conditions in China. However, the recent ban reflects the tightening restrictions on religious content online.
“We’ve grown accustomed to positive relations with China,” said co-founder Michael Lynn. “But this ban is a significant setback for our mission to enhance faith and community engagement worldwide.”
CEO Steve Gatena has extended an invitation to President Xi Jinping to attend the National Day of Prayer event in Washington this May, hoping to open a dialogue on the issue.
Apple, which removed Pray.com from its App Store, cited compliance with local laws as the reason behind the move. In China, religious apps are required to obtain permits from regulators to be included in app stores.
Critics argue that China’s regulations effectively limit online religious content distribution to organizations affiliated with officially recognized religions, leaving little room for other faith groups.
Matthew Potter, another co-founder of Pray.com, emphasized the ongoing efforts to navigate these regulatory challenges. “We are committed to ensuring that our global community remains connected and supported, especially during significant spiritual observances,” Potter stated, mentioning plans to discuss the issue with former President Donald Trump.
As Pray.com and other religious organizations grapple with China’s strict regulations, the future of online religious expression in the country remains uncertain.