Anonymous vs. Named Requests

Anonymous Submissions

PrayerConnect allows people to share prayer needs without revealing their identity to the congregation.

How Anonymous Works

What the Public Sees

• "Anonymous" or a chosen display name (e.g., "A Church Member")
• The prayer request content
• No identifying information

What Moderators See

• The prayer request content
• Submitter's email (if provided)
• Submission details for follow-up

When to Use Anonymous

Good for Anonymous

• Sensitive personal struggles
• Family issues you're not ready to share openly
• Topics that might cause embarrassment
• Testing the platform for the first time

Better as Named

• Praise reports and celebrations
• Requests where people might want to help practically
• Building community connections
• When you want personal follow-up

How to Submit Anonymously

From Your Account

1. Open the submission form
2. Check "Submit Anonymously"
3. Optionally enter a display name
4. Submit as usual

Without an Account

Public submission forms may allow anonymous by default—your email is only used for updates.

Anonymous Display Names

Instead of "Anonymous," you can choose:

• "A Church Member"
• "A Sister in Christ"
• "A Concerned Parent"
• Custom name (moderated)

This adds personality while maintaining privacy.

For Church Admins

Configuring Anonymous

Go to Settings → Prayer Wall to control:

• Allow Anonymous: Enable/disable anonymous submissions
• Require Email: Require an email even for anonymous requests
• Review Anonymous: Require moderation for all anonymous submissions

Balancing Openness and Safety

Some churches allow anonymous to:

• Encourage vulnerable sharing
• Reach people hesitant about public prayer
• Provide safety for sensitive topics

Some restrict anonymous to:

• Encourage community transparency
• Simplify follow-up
• Reduce potential abuse

Privacy Reminder

Moderators should:

• Never share who submitted an anonymous request
• Only contact submitters privately about their request
• Respect the person's choice to remain anonymous
• Not pressure people to reveal themselves

FAQ

Q: Can I switch from anonymous to named? A: No—once submitted anonymously, it stays anonymous. Submit a new request if you want your name attached.

Q: Can moderators reveal my identity? A: No. Moderator access to submitter information is strictly for appropriate pastoral follow-up only.

Q: What if I forget my display name? A: You can see your requests in "My Requests" even if submitted anonymously (when logged in).