Instapray

Grace Sight #32 is the Mobile App Instapray. 

It is a pleasure for the first app honored at the Grace Sight blog to be Instapray, because they are spreading prayer awareness on an international level.  Instapray is a mobile phone app that was first launched as a protype on March 18, 2013, by a man named Fryd, who is passionate about prayer. The app connects prayer request in a social media format. It is Twitter for those living on prayers, but prayers instead of tweets are being offered around the clock. Though many people come to Instapray for prayer requests, it is also a community that provides encouragement to strengthen one's faith.

Google Play has this description of the Instapray app.

Instapray is a mobile application that connects people around the world through prayers. Request prayers, share your prayers, pray for someone, and get connected! Become a part of the Instapray community and share your love, support, happiness, or struggles with the world around you. Pray in small, private groups or with the whole world! Engage in meaningful conversations, follow users that you care for or join groups that are of interest to you (Google Play - Instapray).

The Center for Creative Ministry in the Seventh Day Adventist Church wrote a review on Instapray on January 18, 2014 called Discipleship and Prayer. It is an excellent read on the ways in which Instapray is making a difference in the area of prayer.

There are many positive reviews of Instapray, including user Pullano2993 who said in iTunes,

"This app is the best app I have on my phone next to the bible app (ITunes store, December 14, 2014)."

Instapray is a free app that can be downloaded for IOS at the ITunes store or for Android at Google Play store. Just like in Twitter one can share more or less things in their profile based on their level of comfort with privacy.

 You can follow Instapray on the following social media.

• Facebook Page for Instapray
• Instagram Page for Instapray
• Pinterest for Instapray
• Tumblr Page for Instapray
• Twitter @Instapray
• YouTube Channel for Instapray

We here at Grace Light wish Instapray much success in the future, because for them success means that God is glorified and lives are being changed through the power of prayer. If you want to follow me on Instapray I am user AL25.

Faith Freaks

Grace Sight #14 is Faith Freaks.

I just found out today (from Twitter of all places) about a social media system that is designed to be a Christian oriented safe place for youth and young adults. Even though I am neither of these I registered to try it out.  Apparently they are willing to accept old folks like me into the community.  I do wish they had this type of social media when I was a youth.  The site is called Faith Freaks and you access it at www.faithfreaks.com.

The Faith Freaks website lists this as the goal of their unique social media.

Faith Freaks is a safe on-line environment dedicated to helping young people by providing help, hope & encouraging them to grow in their faith.  Our trained volunteers help young people find resources to overcome the many challenges that they may be facing. Including, but not limited to, suicide prevention, depression, peer pressure, drug or alcohol abuse & other challenging or life threatening situations. We help by providing many types of resources both online & in their own communities. Additionally we try to encourage healthy decision making.  Moreover we strive to glorify God by providing an alternative social network that is safe, clean, friendly, and Christ-centered.

It works like Facebook or MySpace but has some moderation and Christian features built into it that make it a safe place where Christian teens can meet new people and grow in their faith.  It has a mission to be the premier Christian social media alternative.  Below is a collage of some of the features offered on Faith Freaks.

One of the first things I noticed when I registered is that there are prayer rooms that flow smoothly in the system.  Also, when I uploaded my profile picture (one of the first things one does in a social media account, right) it didn't appear immediately but said "Waiting Approval".  Amazing. Someone screens photos before they go live to make sure they meet a Christian standard. In fact, when you go to upload photos you are informed that pictures will be removed if they contain any of the following features:

• Guys without shirts or girls in bikinis ... unless they were taken at the beach or pool.
• Visible undergarments.
• Excessive cleavage.
• Seductive poses.
• Open-mouth kissing.
• Obscene hand gestures.
• Bad words, whether on your clothing or elsewhere in the photo.
• Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.
• Satanic symbols, pentagrams, etc.
• Gory or violent images.

There are dozens of testimonies of individuals who have been helped through FaithFreaks.com.  A list is at http://www.faithfreaks.com/testimonies.php.  Faith Freaks is being used by church youth groups as a safe setting for online ministry and community building.  I believe this can be a great place for ministry to take place. Consider signing up if you are young or young in heart.