the staff the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in an age of digital distractions and declining church attendance, one Catholic prayer app is quietly sparking a modern spiritual revival. Since its launch in late 2018, Hallow — a Christian meditation and prayer app — has been downloaded more than 23 million times in over 150 countries. Its mission? To make prayer and faith more accessible in the digital age.
What Is Hallow?
Named after the word “hallow,” meaning “to make holy,” the app offers a wide range of spiritual resources designed to fit modern lifestyles. From guided meditations and Bible readings to Christian music, sleep content, and community features, Hallow empowers users to personalize their prayer journey and reconnect with God — right from their phones.
A Tech-Driven Faith Journey
Hallow’s founder, Alex Jones, didn’t always believe in God. A former atheist and consultant at McKinsey & Company, Jones began exploring mindfulness and meditation as a way to cope with anxiety and emptiness. This journey led him back to his Catholic roots — and inspired the idea for Hallow.
“I was looking for peace and purpose. I found both through prayer,” says Jones.
After a life-changing spiritual experience in September 2018, Jones quit his job and started building what would become the world’s most downloaded Christian prayer app.
Explosive Growth and Unprecedented Investment
Since launching in December 2018, Hallow has grown at a staggering pace. The app has facilitated over 100 million prayers and now boasts over 18 million downloads, a user base that spans from the U.S. to countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Hallow has also caught the attention of investors. To date, the app has raised more than $55 million, including a $40 million Series B round in 2021 — a rare feat for a faith-based tech startup. The app’s popularity even led it to outperform Netflix, Spotify, and Instagram in the Apple App Store rankings on Ash Wednesday 2023, where it landed at No. 3 overall.
Features That Connect and Inspire
Hallow stands out for its broad feature set designed for people at all stages of their faith journey. Users can:
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Access daily prayers and reflections
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Listen to sleep meditations and soothing Christian music
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Participate in Bible studies and scripture-based challenges
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Connect with friends and family for shared spiritual practices
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Discover guest content from celebrities like Mark Wahlberg
These features help bridge the gap between tradition and technology, appealing to both devout Catholics and spiritual seekers alike.
A New Chapter in Digital Faith
Hallow’s rise comes at a time when traditional religious engagement is declining, particularly among younger generations. The app fills a growing need for flexible, digital spiritual tools that can fit into busy lives without replacing deeper religious values.
While some theologians and critics raise concerns about technology replacing real-world worship and community, Hallow’s team emphasizes that their mission is to complement — not replace — traditional religious practices.
“Our goal is to help people build a habit of daily prayer,” says Jones. “We care less about download numbers and more about individual transformation.”
Real Lives, Real Impact
The most powerful testimony to Hallow’s success comes from its users. From those battling anxiety and grief to people simply trying to reconnect with their faith, countless stories have emerged of lives being transformed — one prayer at a time.
Hallow offers a compelling counter-narrative: that faith and technology aren’t at odds — they can work together to deepen spiritual connection and make holiness more accessible.
