National Day of Prayer
Dear Patheos Friends, Welcome to the month of May! Can you believe we are in the month of May? It’s a special month for many reasons (check out all the cool celebrations this month). We kick off the month praying as a nation with the National Day of Prayer. The Bible states what a blessing it is when a nation puts God first; “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12). By the way, the Bible encourages Christ followers to continue to pray for our nation all year round. 1 Timothy 2:1-3, states, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Celebrations!
Also, this month is when we celebrate mothers and graduations; from kindergarten, middle school, high school and all college levels. Blessings mothers and congratulations to all graduates! Your hard work is commendable. Last but not least, May is my birthday month- Happy birthday to me! And you know that already- I get to celebrate all month �. Thank you for the wishes already- I see my information is being put to good use-from my grocers, eye care specialists and airlines- appreciate it all.
State of the Bible
Recently, a friend texted me a link to check it out the 2025 State of the Bible published by the American Bible Society. This is a research report I have shared in one of my previous posts here on Patheos. She felt, I would appreciate the growth Americans are experiencing by engaging in the Word of God (aka the Bible). It is an encouraging report that points to the reformation going on in the church collective. Here are a few things that stood out from the 2025 State of the Bible report:
Bible Alignment
There has been an increase for the first time since 2021 in both Bible use and scripture engagement among young adults and men. This means we are seeing a movement towards faith from the decrease we had during the pandemic. People are aligning their lives with the Word of God. This is great news!
Secondly, the number of Bible users has increased from 38% to 41%. This increase means 10 million more Americans are reading their Bibles outside of church times. This calls for applause! This is exactly what the Bereans did in the book of Acts. They examined the Word of God for themselves, to grow and know the God of the Bible for themselves. Acts 17: 11 states that, “And the people of Berean were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth” (NLT).
Mental Health Benefits
Thirdly, the report shows that millennials saw a 29% increase in Bible use from 2024 to 2025 and men saw a 19% increase in Bible use. Simply put, people of all ages are returning to the Bible for guidance, growth and encouragement. There are huge benefits of reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God. Studies point out and validate these benefits that nurture brain connectivity, improve brain concentration and strengthen one’s faith to mention a few. Check out more details on the benefits of Bible reading in observance of mental health awareness month here.
Reading In Print
Fourthly, the report shows one-third of Bible users access their Bible only in print. This is eye opening, since we are now in the digital age and many people love accessing their Bible on their devices. And then, we have many of us in that “one-third” group who love and enjoy reading our Bibles in print. The main thing is whether digital or print, Bible reading is growing among Americans.
Call To Action
Lastly, the report shows that just over half of all Americans (51%) say they wish they can read their Bible more. This is why this column exist- to help develop and sustain a strong faith journey for anyone that desires a walk with God. Equipping from wishing to action– check out Discover How to Study Your Bible Guide for proven approaches to studying the Word of God for a lifetime of transformation and impact.
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