Inside the project / Worship & music
PraiseJam
One worship moment. Everyone on the same song.
PraiseJam combines a digital songbook with chords and shared worship sessions. One code brings the group together, and connected devices follow the same song selection.
- React
- WebRTC
The starting idea
During a worship session, the focus should stay on singing together. When everyone has to search for the next song, the moment stalls. The idea behind PraiseJam: keep songs and chords close at hand and bring the shared selection straight to connected devices.
Joining should work spontaneously: share the session code, join, and sing or play along. Whether in a small worship group or at a youth retreat, the technology should support the flow and leave room for the music.
Why build it this way?
Join a session with a code. A shared code leads into the same worship session. It can be passed around in person so the group can come together quickly.
Connect devices directly. WebRTC enables the peer-to-peer connection. Devices can follow the shared song selection rather than making everyone search again individually.
Keep it accessible in the browser. React and an installable web app make PraiseJam accessible on the group's existing devices. Joining does not need a separate app store journey.
A detail from development
The next song should not interrupt the moment
A digital songbook on every phone is not yet a shared session. Choosing the next song should not send the whole group into another search.
PraiseJam connects individual views through a session code and WebRTC. The shared song selection gives everyone direction while lyrics and chords remain readable on their own device. Coordinating the devices is the engineering task; for the worship group, changing songs should feel simple.
The solution
PraiseJam brings together 243 songs with chords. The songbook can be used individually for preparation; during a shared worship session, connected devices follow the selected song view.
Singing and accompaniment belong together: lyrics guide the group, while chords support the musicians. The main interaction stays short: open a session, share the code, and stay on the song together.
What to take from it
Good technology for worship asks for as little attention as possible. PraiseJam keeps the group on the same song so singing together stays at the centre.