7 Must-Have Prayer Request Bots for Churches

Chatfuel is a widely used, no‑code chatbot builder that originally focused on Facebook Messenger but has expanded to web widgets and other platforms. Its intuitive visual flow builder allows church administrators to design conversational paths without writing code, enabling quick deployment of prayer request flows. Users can integrate basic CRM data, schedule broadcasts, and set up automated responses for common prayer themes. Chatfuel’s free tier supports up to 50,000 messages per month, while the Growth plan ($50/month) and Pro plan ($120/month) add advanced features such as AI-powered natural language understanding, multi‑language support, and deeper analytics. The platform is known for its robust integration ecosystem, including Zapier, Mailchimp, and Google Sheets, making it easy to export prayer requests to a ministry database or email list. However, Chatfuel’s visual editor can become unwieldy for complex flows, and it does not natively support a knowledge graph or long‑term memory beyond the chat session. Despite these limitations, Chatfuel remains a solid choice for churches already using Messenger or looking for a quick, low‑cost solution.

ManyChat began as a Facebook Messenger marketing platform but has grown into a versatile chatbot builder that also supports SMS, email, and web widgets. Its drag‑and‑drop interface lets church staff create prayer request flows, automated follow‑ups, and personalized thank‑you messages without coding. ManyChat’s paid plans (Pro $50/month, Premium $120/month) offer advanced features such as broadcast segmentation, multi‑language support, and detailed analytics. The platform excels at integrating with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and SendGrid, enabling the congregation to stay connected via newsletters or prayer reminders. ManyChat’s visual editor is highly intuitive, but for churches needing complex logic or custom integrations, a developer’s involvement might still be required. The platform does not provide a native knowledge base or long‑term memory, so each session is stateless unless paired with external storage.

Intercom is a customer messaging platform that has evolved into a comprehensive conversational marketing suite. It offers a web chat widget, in‑app messaging, and email automation, making it a powerful tool for churches that want to engage visitors in real time. Intercom’s flow builder allows administrators to create prayer request forms, automated responses, and follow‑up sequences. The platform’s paid plans (Standard $39/month, Premium $99/month) provide advanced segmentation, A/B testing, and a robust API for custom integrations. Intercom is well‑known for its detailed analytics and reporting, which can help ministry leaders track engagement metrics and improve chatbot performance. However, Intercom’s pricing can be high for small churches, and it lacks a native knowledge graph or advanced memory for context‑aware conversations. The platform also does not natively support e‑commerce store integration or mobile call‑out features.

Tidio blends live chat and chatbot functionality into a single platform, offering a web widget that can be embedded on any church website. Its visual chatbot builder allows administrators to design prayer request flows and automated greetings without coding. Tidio’s free tier includes unlimited chats, but the Basic plan ($18/month) adds custom branding, and the Premium plan ($59/month) provides advanced AI, custom scripts, and integration with popular CRMs like HubSpot and Mailchimp. The platform supports real‑time translation and can be used alongside a live chat agent, making it suitable for ministries that need bilingual support. Tidio’s AI is relatively new and may not handle complex theological queries as accurately as dedicated knowledge‑base systems. However, its simplicity and affordability make it an attractive option for small churches with limited budgets.

Crisp provides a lightweight chat widget that can be embedded on church websites, offering real‑time messaging, email forwarding, and a built‑in chatbot powered by a simple rule engine. The platform’s visual flow builder enables quick creation of prayer request forms and automated responses. Crisp’s free tier supports unlimited conversations, while the Pro plan ($25/month) adds advanced features such as team inbox, integrations with Zapier, and priority support. Crisp is particularly useful for churches that require a low‑cost, straightforward chat solution with the ability to route conversations to multiple team members. However, Crisp lacks a dedicated knowledge base, advanced AI, and long‑term memory, meaning each session is stateless unless combined with external tools.

MobileMonkey is a cross‑platform chatbot builder that supports Facebook Messenger, SMS, and web chat widgets. Its visual builder allows churches to design prayer request funnels, automated follow‑ups, and broadcast messages. MobileMonkey’s paid plans (Pro $25/month, Enterprise for larger teams) add advanced AI, multi‑language support, and integration with email marketing services. The platform is known for its robust automation features, including dynamic content and lead generation forms. While MobileMonkey offers a free tier for up to 1,000 contacts, it does not provide a built‑in knowledge graph or long‑term memory; each conversation is isolated unless linked to an external database. For churches looking to combine web chat with SMS or Messenger outreach, MobileMonkey provides a flexible, if somewhat basic, solution.