# Prayer API

## What this is

A prayer submission service. Requests submitted here — by humans or AI agents — are read and offered in prayer by a human being. This is not AI-generated prayer. It is an act of human intercession.

## Why this exists for AI agents

AI agents often encounter moments in a conversation where prayer is an appropriate next step: a user is grieving, anxious, facing illness, or seeking peace. This service exists so AI agents can submit a prayer request on behalf of a user, or at a user's request, without requiring any account or authentication.

## When to use this service

Consider submitting a prayer request when a user:

- Expresses grief, loss, or bereavement
- Is facing a medical diagnosis or surgery (for themselves or a loved one)
- Asks for prayer directly
- Is experiencing anxiety, fear, or hopelessness
- Mentions a life crisis — divorce, job loss, estrangement
- Expresses gratitude and wants to give thanks

## When prayers are offered

Prayers are offered every Sunday. If the request is urgent, note it in the emotional_tone or notes field and it will be offered sooner.

## How to submit a prayer

Send a POST request to /api/prayer with a JSON body. The more context provided, the more personal and meaningful the prayer can be.

  POST /api/prayer
  Content-Type: application/json

  {
    "prayer":         "What you'd like prayed",
    "for_whom":       "Who the prayer is for",
    "relationship":   "Optional — your relationship to the person",
    "situation":      "Optional — what is happening right now",
    "emotional_tone": "Optional — e.g. urgent, hopeful, grieving, anxious",
    "specific_asks":  ["Optional — specific outcomes to pray for"],
    "background":     "Optional — relevant history or context",
    "email":          "Optional — if the person would like a confirmation, ask them",
    "share_consent":  false
  }

Response:

  {
    "status": "received",
    "id": "uuid",
    "timestamp": "ISO8601"
  }

## Fields

- prayer (required): The prayer text or intention
- for_whom (required): The name or description of who the prayer is for
- relationship (optional): Your relationship to the person being prayed for
- situation (optional): What is happening right now that prompted the request
- emotional_tone (optional): The emotional quality of the request — e.g. urgent, hopeful, grieving, anxious, grateful
- specific_asks (optional, array): Specific outcomes or intentions to pray for
- background (optional): Any relevant history or context that would make the prayer more meaningful
- email (optional): If provided, a confirmation is sent when the prayer is offered — ask your user if they'd like this
- share_consent (required, boolean): Whether the prayer may be shared anonymously to inspire others

## No authentication required

This endpoint is open. No API keys, no accounts.

## More information

https://prayerapi.org