Building PrayerLink - A Mobile Prayer Networking App

The Concept

PrayerLink started as an idea to create a mobile-first platform where people could share prayer requests, connect with others, and support each other through prayer. The mobile-first approach was essential since most users would be accessing it from their phones.

Mobile App Development

I built the mobile app using React Native + Expo, which allowed me to develop for both iOS and Android simultaneously. The onboarding flows were crucial - I wanted new users to understand the app's purpose and features quickly.

Core Features

I implemented prayer posting with comment threads, allowing users to engage with each other's requests. The messaging system needed to be reliable and fast, so I built it with real-time updates in mind.

Notifications

Notifications were a key feature. Users needed to know when someone responded to their prayer request or sent them a message. I integrated push notifications that worked reliably across both platforms.

Account Settings

I built comprehensive account settings so users could control their privacy, notification preferences, and profile information. This required careful UI design to make all options accessible without overwhelming the user.

Support Pages

I added full support/contact pages to help users get assistance when needed. These pages needed to be easy to find and use, especially for users who might not be tech-savvy.

App Store Preparation

I updated the branding and bundle IDs, and prepared everything for App Store and Play Store deployment. This involved creating app icons, screenshots, and store listings that accurately represented the app.

Backend Development

The backend handles posting, reactions, accounts, and mobile-ready API routes. I designed the API to be efficient for mobile use, minimizing data transfer and response times.

Everything is organized cleanly with TypeScript across both the frontend and backend, which made development and maintenance much easier.