Almost all Presbyterians pray at least several times a week, survey suggests

Middle-aged and older Presbyterians, however, lead the way

December 31, 2019

Nine in 10 Presbyterians pray at least several times a week, according to the new Person in the Pew survey.

Nearly all (90%) of Presbyterians pray at least several times a week and nearly half (42%) read the Bible on their own at least several times a week. Middle-aged and older Presbyterians engage in these spiritual disciplines more frequently than younger Presbyterians do.

This information comes from responses from some of the first participants in the new Person in the Pew survey format, a project of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Research Services. Person in the Pew Surveys are open to all Presbyterians. Opportunities for participation will be listed in future news articles and will be posted on research-services.pcusa.org.

Sixty-one percent of Person in the Pew participants report praying or meditating at least once a day, and 29% do so several times a week. Seventeen percent report reading the Bible on their own at least once a day, while 25% do so several times a week.

A breakdown by age group shows that more participants in their late 50s or early 60s pray and read the Bible at least several times a week than do other participants, while fewer participants in their teens, 20s, 30s or early 40s than other participants do so.

Differences among age groups may reflect how literacy has changed over the past half century. “Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (and other similar social media platforms) have changed how much people are accustomed to reading,” said the Rev. Dr. Jason Santos, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s mission coordinator for Christian formation. “This has had an influence on how younger generations see reading the Bible.”

Religious influences may also vary by age group. Presbyterians who are middle-aged or older with any kind of evangelical background are likely to see Scripture reading and prayer as a key part of discipleship, according to Santos. “The notion of devotions has played a significant role in the formation of the boomers,” he said. “Those behavioral requirements for discipleship aren’t as persuasive with younger generations.”

A small majority of Person in the Pew participants (57%) report saying grace before meals at least several times a week, and 16% volunteer for a community organization at least several times a week. There are no clear age-group differences in involvement in these practices.

Research Services and the Presbyterians who provided these responses connected initially through PC(USA) congregations. To start, congregations supplied names and contact information for would-be participants in periodic surveys about topics important to the denomination. Individuals who agreed to participate (more than 2,000 so far) began by completing a background survey. The results outlined above were taken from the Background Survey.

So that participants would literally represent Persons in the Pew, pastors of congregations were excluded. Pastors of PC(USA) congregations and other PC(USA) ministers are being surveyed.

The Person in the Pew and Church on the Corner surveys, unveiled this year, provide all Presbyterians the opportunity to participate. Presbyterians of color, Presbyterians who are not current session members or who are not ruling elders at all, men and Presbyterians from larger congregations are among those currently underrepresented. A comparison of Person in the Pew Background Survey results with church membership statistics maintained by presbyteries and the Office of the General Assembly shows this.

“We are going to be able to add to this important group of Presbyterians continually,” said Dr. Susan Barnett, Research Services coordinator. “Even more participants will be able to share their thoughts with church leaders, reflect on their own lives as Christians and learn more about what is going on in the church.”

Already, some Person in the Pew participants have also responded to surveys about PC(USA) communications.

Members of PC(USA) congregations, ministers who are not pastors, and others who attend worship at PC(USA) congregations who are interested in participating should contact Research Services.

Perry Chang, Research Services, Administrative Services Group

Today’s Focus:  Presbyterians Pray

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Scott O’Neill, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Mary Oxford, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Holy God, whose Spirit brings unity of purpose to people of faith, bless the work equipping new generations of Christians for witness and service. Amen.