A new survey is showing that less than one-third of US parents pray with their children daily or often. The study comes from the American Bible Society’s “State of the Bible USA 2026.” The study interviewed 2,649 U.S. adults from January 8 to 27. The study found that only 16% prayed with their children daily, while 13% stated they prayed with their children “often.” Thirty-five percent stated they never pray with their children. The numbers were even lower for Bible reading, with only 14% reading the Bible with their children often or daily while 62% stated they either rarely or never read the Bible with their children.

Not surprisingly, the numbers for prayer and Bible engagement were higher amongst engaged Christians over casual Christians or non-Christians. Seventy-two percent of practicing Christians reported praying with their children either often or every day. However, less than half of practicing Christians (45%) reported reading the Bible daily or often with their children. The majority preferred using children’s storybook Bibles as their main resource. “Most American parents are open to the Bible, but behavior hasn’t kept pace with that openness. They’re curious but not deeply engaged,” said John Farquhar Plake, American Bible Society’s chief innovation officer.

The report also seemed to indicate that children’s enjoyment of church lessened with age. Seventy-two percent of parents stated their children from ages two to five enjoyed church, which declined to 66% for children aged six to 12 and 61% for teens aged 13 to 17. Regarding support from churches, 92% of parents stated they felt supported by their church.

The report found a myriad of concerns amongst parents that could be drawing them away from focusing on their children’s spiritual growth. Forty-two percent identified “managing work-family balance” as the highest stressor in their life. “Preventing fatigue or exhaustion” and “addressing their family’s financial needs” were tied at 27%. “Addressing the spiritual needs” of their children was the second to last priority on the list at 10%. The report did find that non-parents tended to score lower in areas of feeling purpose, life satisfaction and meaning. However, parents were less Bible engaged than non-parents (46% vs. 59%). The number may indicate, according to Plake, the need for churches to step in and help parents with establishing better patterns for biblical engagement. “With support from their church, these caregivers can establish life-giving rhythms of prayer and Scripture engagement with their children, and in their own personal discipleship,” he said. “Parents are carrying a heavy load, and all of us in the Church can help them carry it.”