Refuge | Prayer & Devotional

Inspiration

I’ve always struggled to stay consistent with my daily devotionals as a Christian. Life gets busy, and sometimes you just can't find a devotional that resonates with what you’re going through. Earlier this year, after being laid off, I found myself in need of something to lean on, but I didn’t have a devotional book at hand. So, I turned to AI. The results were surprisingly good, which sparked an idea: why not package this into an app? This app could not only help me stay consistent but also provide personalized support during tough times.

What it does

My app creates personalized daily devotionals based on the user’s current feelings. If you’re feeling 'stressed' about 'work' and need 'motivation,' you can select those preferences, and the AI will generate a Verse, Reflection, and Prayer tailored specifically to your situation. This allows users to connect with relevant Biblical text and receive words of encouragement exactly when they need it.

How we built it

Coming from a React and React Native background, I decided to challenge myself by building this project with Swift. Leveraging open-source projects and OpenAI, I quickly assembled a minimal viable product (MVP). The result is an app that’s simple but powerful, demonstrating the potential of AI in personal faith practices.

Challenges we ran into

The most significant challenges were the administrative hurdles of becoming an Apple App Developer—compliance documentation, navigating App Store Connect, Xcode build settings, and finding the right assets. On the technical side, securing API keys without a backend was tricky. As a front-end developer, I had to step out of my comfort zone, researching and implementing a secure proxy server to protect those keys. This process was a great learning experience that allowed me to overcome multiple obstacles with creative solutions.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite these challenges, I managed to get a working app on the App Store in just three weeks—starting from scratch. This was my first time going through the entire Apple Store process, and while I was familiar with some parts, like Archiving and Shipping builds to TestFlight, this experience was a deep dive into all aspects of app deployment. Successfully completing this project within the hack-a-thon timeframe is something I’m really proud of.

What we learned

I gained hands-on experience with SwiftUI, learned how to build a secure proxy server, and figured out how to manage and secure environment variables without a backend. Additionally, I set up RevenueCat, which allows me to change offerings and products without having to release a new build—something that will be invaluable as the app grows.

What's next for Refuge | Prayer & Devotional

The next step is marketing. I plan to start by having family members who are believers test the app and then reach out to local church members for feedback. The app has already proven to be a useful tool for me personally, and I’m excited to see how it can help others. Moving forward, I aim to refine the app based on user feedback and explore additional features that could make it even more impactful.

Thanks for the inspiration to turn this idea into reality!

Built With

• openai
• swift