Is Prayer More Important than the Bible?
Lifeway Research released the results of a study they conducted towards the end of 2022: “Protestant Churchgoer Views On Spending Time With God.” The survey included over a 1000 participants and asked a few questions surrounding the topic of their 1-on-1 time with God. While each question was intriguing in its own regard, some found the responses to one question in particular rather interesting - and not in a good way.
The question was a simple one: “What do you typically do when you spend time alone with God?” The answers with the highest percentage were listed first: “Pray in my own words” was highest with 83%; “Thank God” at 80%; “Praise God” at 62%; “Confess my sins” at 49%. These are all essential elements of a healthy spiritual life, but what was concerning to some was “Read from the Bible or a devotional” ranked in 5th at only 39%.
There are plenty of speculations one could make about this data, but it would appear that for some, the conversation with God seems a bit one-sided. We come to God to talk, thank, praise, and confess, but how much time do we spend listening? He’s given us his word, so why aren’t more people taking the opportunity to read it?
It’d be hard to find someone who would dispute the foundational role the Bible plays in Christianity or its vital importance to a Christian’s spiritual walk. Why then does it seem so low on the priority list with less than half of the surveyed protestant churchgoers turning to it during their time with God? After all, our understanding of the scriptures affects how we pray. How do we know what we should talk to God about if we don’t have an understanding of prayer rooted in scripture?
While the Lifeway Research study may only give percentages, another report by The American Bible Society was also released in 2022 which reflected how wide sweeping this pandemic of Biblical apathy has become. They reported that during Covid, 26 million Americans stopped reading their Bible on a regular basis.
While we should be alarmed by this, we should not be surprised. After all, there is nothing new under the sun, and we find similar cases of biblical illiteracy recorded in scripture. In both Testaments, we are able to witness the consequences of what can happen to societies who do not prioritize a deep understanding of God’s word. Hosea claims, “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” and in the New Testament Jesus is dismayed with Nicomedus’s lack of understanding despite him being a religious leader (John 3:10). Biblical illiteracy is nothing new, but it is a dire issue which needs addressed.
Are some people more concerned about what God can do for them than what they can do for God? Or do people not understand the Bible enough to know how relevant it actually is?
Are there too many distractions? Or too little accountability?
With social media, television, movie-streaming services, and a thousand other daily distractions, it’s almost understandable why people would not make time for it - there are a thousand options of things they could do instead of reading God’s Word. However, despite the distractions (or excuses), we also have the most access to Bibles and related resources than any point in history. Multiple translations of the Bibles can be downloaded to your phone and audio Bibles as well. There are hundreds of Christian and Bible related websites, and there are even free Bible study software like Logos. There are also hundreds of devotionals and biblical commentaries which many have access to.
In the research done by Barna and the American Bible Society in 2020, they were able to observe how a decrease in church attendance due to social distancing was happening simultaneously with a decrease in daily Bible reading. Thus, the lack of accountability through weekly fellowship seemed to play a role in the drop. It is important to keep our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable to God’s word and each other, ensuring we are not forsaking meeting together (Hebrews 10:25).
Is the Bible Still Relevant?
To believe the scriptures are no longer applicable in our modern times would go against the Bible itself. It’s been since the beginning and it will be here after (John 1; Matthew 24:35). However, if people are unable to make pertinent interpretations to help them know how to appropriate scripture, then it’s no wonder people have stopped picking it up as much. When the Word is not taught with the authority Jesus taught it with (Matthew 7:29), then it should come as no surprise when doubts of its relevance begin to creep in.
How can we learn how to appropriate ancient texts from a foreign culture to our own? Too often we sit waiting for new signs or a miraculous revelation, rather than seeking to understand the message he’s already given. The Bible lets us know what we are supposed to be doing in order to live a life pleasing to God, but if we are waiting on supernatural occurrences to dictate what we should be doing, then we’ve missed the point of the incredible gift given to us in His holy word. It is as applicable now as it was when it was written, so long as you learn how to interpret it.
The Bible is Not Just for Pastors, it’s for Everyone
Some may believe it is only important for the pastors or church leadership to be well-versed in the Scriptures, and while they should be firmly rooted in the Bible, it is not enough for only them to know God’s Word. In order for society to truly change, all people must be full of God’s spirit which happens when we immerse ourselves in his word, allowing it to permeate our behavior, habits, attitudes, and lifestyle.
In Numbers 11, Moses says: “Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” His sentiment being that he wants all his followers to be empowered by the knowledge of God, not just those who are in leadership. For communities and societies to be transformed by God, he needs his word to penetrate their lives in such a way where people’s lives are changed. For societies to change, people need to change, but if people are not getting God’s Word in them, then most likely that change will be void of the love and life God has to offer.
What can you do to change this?
Looking for a way to go deeper in your walk with God? Taking a Bible class could expand your understanding and develop your mindset to more fully explore all that God’s word has to offer. Try taking a Bible class, and if there are no Bible colleges in your area, try taking one online. The Institute has affordable class options which can get you on your path to more fully knowing the Scriptures and better understanding what God wants for your life. If you’re in the Nashville area and would like to take some Bible classes in person, then let us know and we can schedule you a visit.
Sources:
Klett, Leah MarieAnn. “Most churchgoers prefer prayer to Bible reading: study” Christian Today. 5 January 2023 (visited 2 February 2023).
https://www.christianpost.com/news/most-churchgoers-prefer-prayer-to-bible-reading-study.html
Postell, Marissa. “Churchgoers value time alone with God, practice varies.” Kentucky Today. 4 January 2023 (visited 2 February 2023)
Ash D. “Reading the Word.” World Religion News. 5 January 2023 (visited 2 February 2023).
https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/christianity/reading-the-word/
Fulks, Jeffery, PH.D.; Randy Petersen; John Farquhar Plake, PH.D. “State of the Bible: USA 2022.” American Bible Society. December 2022 (visited 6 February 2023)
https://1s712.americanbible.org/state-of-the-bible/stateofthebible/State_of_the_bible-2022.pdf
Macinnis, Adam. “Report: 26 Million Americans Stopped Reading the Bible Regularly During COVID-19.” Christianity Today. 20 April 2022 (Visited 6 February 2023).
Roach, David. “Bible Reading Drops During Social Distancing.” Christianity Today. 22 JULY 2020. https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/july/state-of-bible-reading-coronavirus-barna-abs.html