Prayers Unite the World Connects Individuals with Prayer Petitions to Religious Groups

Edward W. Lawrence, the President of  Prayers Unite the World, had a vision. He taught religious studies at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia for 41 years, retiring in 2015. Through his interactions with students and others, Lawrence discovered that people need others to pray for them. So, prayersunitetheworld.org was born.

1)When was Prayers Unite the World launched on the internet?

Lawrence: It was launched on September 19, 2016.

2) Who co-founded it with you?

My former student, Tom Wambold, did. He has a Bachelor’s degree, as well as a Master’s, in computer science from Drexel University.

3) How did you get the idea to create a website for people requesting prayer petitions to religious communities?

When I was teaching, I surfed the internet and found a photo of murdered Trappist monks in North Africa. I placed the picture in my classroom, then I sent an email to them and asked them to pray for my students. They sent an email back to me in French, which, when translated, said that they would. I told my students that half a world away, these French monks cared and were praying for them. I could see the impact it had on them.

A week later, a cafeteria aide, Alice, told me that her daughter-in-law was having a difficult pregnancy and needed prayers. So I sent an email to the Abbey of the Genesee in upstate New York, where I attended retreats. They replied that they would pray for her. When I told Alice, she was touched. I kept thinking people need to have this kind of experience, printed their homepage, and gave it to her. She shared it with her daughter-in-law and son.

I spoke to my students about wanting to have a website that can do this. I reached out to some contemplative communities in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Based on their responses, we designed a website with their feedback. One sister asked how much it would cost. I said we don’t want any money from you. It may generate donations to you, while promoting your Order and your religious charism. Vocations could grow from it.

Msgr. John Jagodzinski advised us about the name for the website. He said it’s about uniting the world in prayer. I said, that’s it: Prayers Unite The World. It’s dedicated to the memory of Sr. Miriam Joannes Vahey, IHM, who was kind to my family.

4) How did you fund the initial cost?

Lawrence: Tom Wambold told us to find a programmer who said that for 60 to 80 hours it would cost $6,000 to $8,000.  I spoke to a woman at the Archdiocese who said that there was $8,000  left over from the Archdiocese’s World Meeting of Families in 2015. It was providential. We had enough. So we planned a reception featuring the website with groups such as St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus. The programmer told Tom he couldn’t get it done on time. We got someone else; Tom tweaked it, and the price was $3,200, under budget and on time for the event. If the Lord calls you down that road, leave everything to Him.

5) Were you on EWTN?

Lawrence: My friend told me to tell this man, Bob, about our website. He said that I should be on EWTN, talking about it. With his help, the network flew me down to Alabama and provided for my stay for two nights. With their wide viewership, our email prayer requests jumped up 5,000 per cent.

6) How many religious groups and prayer groups of the laity, such as parishes and schools, participate by praying for submitted intentions?

Lawrence: There are about 200 at this time, and the process is ongoing, with new ones being added.

7) How does one request a prayer intention on Prayers Unite the World?

Lawrence: There is no fee for participating. You type in your prayer request, along with your email address, and send it to us. We will acknowledge it. At random, the computer will select several religious communities and send you links to them. Then you can learn about the communities, and if you wish, make donations to them.

8) How is the website financed?

Lawrence: We are financed by donations and staffed by volunteers.

9) Is this a truly international experience? Can anyone in the world submit a prayer request?

Lawrence: Yes, someone from Italy just asked for one today. The Little Sisters Disciples Of The Lamb is a group of nuns who have Down syndrome in France. They pray for our petitioners.

10) There is so much additional information on your website, such as videos about the religious communities, profiles of priests, nuns, and the laity, as well as individuals who are being considered for canonization. One could say that you didn’t leave the teaching profession; you are still educating people about the Catholic faith.

Lawrence: Yes, I think of it as a teaching tool for evangelization. In November, it’s Black History Month, and teachers can follow all the links to black Catholics nominated for sainthood. I’m a member of the Serra Club that promotes vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Fr. Bill Atkinson was the first priest who was ordained as a quadriplegic. He couldn’t function without the help of others, but he turned a tragedy into a blessing. He’s on the website. My wife, Brenda, is supportive of my work.

I enjoyed being a teacher at Archbishop Ryan High School. It seemed like instead of a paycheck, I received a bonus. The late Bishop Bob Maginnis said when I retired from the high school, “Ed, the Lord is saying, ‘I don’t need you in that part of the vineyard anymore. I  need you over here, instead.’” That’s fine with me. I want to saturate the secular with the sacred.

 The website is: https://prayersunitetheworld.org/