In 2011, American Bible Society launched a landmark annual study, which explores the state of Bible engagement in America. This year’s State of the Bible report marks thirteen years of listening and learning how consistent interaction with the Bible shapes people’s choices and transforms their relationships.

In the 2023 report, you’ll see both encouraging data and key challenges around Bible engagement in America. But most importantly, you’ll be inspired to pray that Americans will turn to the Bible for guidance and hope.

Let’s dive into some of the data and how you can pray using that information.

The Big Stories

The State of the Bible report provides careful, scientific data, but we don’t simply need data. We need prayer! Scripture tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should pray to God, who will give it to us generously (James 1:5).

Through prayer we can access God’s wisdom to respond to the data so that every American has an opportunity to connect meaningfully with the Bible and its life-changing message of hope. Your prayers can help spark a Bible revival across America.

So here are three big stories from the latest State of the Bible report and how you can pray.

When people engage deeply with the Bible, their lives are better, their relationships are better, and they flourish.

God, we pray that people across America will experience the abundant life that Jesus offers through Your Word so that they may live better lives and flourish. We also pray that church and ministry leaders will find creative solutions to help their congregants make the Bible a part of everyday life. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Fewer people in America are engaging with the Bible. Scripture engagement is not rising yet; it continues on a downward trajectory. Scripture Engagement among American adults fell by 4 percent, from 49 million to only 47 million.

God, we pray that all people will have an opportunity to engage your Word and be transformed by its power. We pray that their will be a growing hunger to discover the God of the Bible. And we pray that people who are searching for answers and hope will find them in the pages of Scripture. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

There are signs of hope. The Moveable Middle (those exploring the Bible’s message) has rebounded, and Bible disengagement has fallen in the past year. The Moveable Middle grew over 15 percent, from 65 million to nearly 76 million.

God, we pray that those who are curious about what the Bible has to say will explore the beauty of Scripture either through invitation or on their own. We pray that you will speak to them through your Word and draw them into your loving presence. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

You can discover more about the Bible in America, as we release a new chapter each month from April through December 2023. Each chapter focuses on key aspects of America’s relationship with the Bible. And each chapter will give you insights into how to pray. To download the first two chapters, go to StateoftheBible.org.