As parents, we play a primary role in the spiritual development of our children. Teaching our children to pray, memorize Scripture, and worship God, has the power to influence their faith for the rest of their lives. In fact, in the 12th annual State of the Bible report, which highlights cultural trends in the U.S. regarding spirituality and Scripture engagement, we learn that five in eight Americans (63%) say their religious faith is the same as their mother’s was when they were ten years old.

While this is deeply encouraging, the data also shows that American parents are struggling to rebuild spiritual routines amid the ongoing pandemic. In Chapter 2 of the State of the Bible USA: 2022 report entitled, “Changing Faith,” we focus on how the landscape of faith is changing in the United States and how the church can support parents as they live out their faith and guide their children.

Why are Parents Struggling and How Can We Pray?

Many U.S. parents are struggling to stay connected to the Bible and vibrant Christian community, while balancing the rest of life’s responsibilities due in large part to the ongoing pandemic. As parents became teachers, playmates, nurses, and pastors, many of their spiritual practices were disrupted. Once COVID hit, the Scripture engagement level for men with children dropped drastically, to a point nearly matching the low level of men without children. But specifically for women with children in the home the level of Scripture Engagement has plummeted to 15 percent in 2022, a 12 percent decrease from 2021.

“The pandemic turned out to be a major change agent, and we’re still experiencing the fallout. Many spiritual practices—in homes and in churches—were disrupted,” said John Farquhar Plake, PhD and Director of Ministry Intelligence at American Bible Society.

But we believe that parents across America can rebuild spiritual habits and become powerful faith influencers in their homes. Join us as we pray for American families.

4 Ways You Can Pray

• Pray that new spiritual practices will emerge in American homes to celebrate and deepen faith. Pray that faith-filled traditions will be rebuilt.
• Pray that church leaders and communities will check in on parents and help them to rebuild practical spiritual habits like reading the Bible with their children.
• Pray that American parents will be invited into life-giving relationships centered on biblical faith and vibrant Christian community.
• Pray that children will cling to the Christian faith instilled in them by their parents, adopting it as their own and passing it on to their children.

To download the first two chapters of the State of the Bible USA 2021 ebook, visit: StateoftheBible.org