New Survey: More Americans Say Religion Is Gaining Influence

 A new survey by Pew Research Center shows a growing share of Americans believe religion is becoming more influential in public life, but most still oppose churches endorsing political candidates or taking sides in day--to--day political debates, the Christian Daily website reports today (May 27, 2026).

The survey, conducted April 6--12 among 3,592 U.S. adults, found that 37% now say religion is gaining influence in American life --the highest proportion recorded in Pew surveys going back to 2002. That figure has climbed 19 percentage points in just two years.

Despite the uptick in perceived influence , 79% of respondents  said churches and other houses of worship should not endorse candidates during elections.Two--thirds said religious institutions should stay out of day--to--day social and political matters. Those figures have changed little in recent years.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue Beheaded at NY State Church

Suffolk county police in New York state are investigating whether a hate crime was committed after a suspect beheaded a Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the Church of St. Mary in East Islip on May 15, the Christian Post website reports today (May 20, 2026). 

The church's pastor, the Rev. Anthony Iaconis told the Christian Post that the Crimes Unit in the Sufolk County Police was called to the church around 11 a.m. on May15after a group doing planting on the property discovered the statue's head in nearby bushes.

Iaconis said the group didn't realize the statue had been vandalized until they found the head.

A review of the church's security camera footage showed that the beheading of the statue, made of resin and fiberglass, was carried out by one person. 

Global Baptism Set for Calif.This Month

A California megachurch pastor's evangelism ministry is gearing to host a global baptism event this month, hoping to baptize tens of thousands, the Christian Post website reports today (May 14,2026).

Baptize California, overseen by Pastor Mark Francey of the multi--campus Oceans Church in Orange County, has announced the global event "Baptize the World" for May 24.

"We believe it was an idea God gave us," Fancey said.

"We won't know for sure how many people will be baptized until the day of the baptism.We are believing for tens of thousands, and possibly more than 100,000. " We just want to organize the net and help the Church throw them in the water. We will leave the catch up to Jesus."

Fulani Terrorists Kill 13 Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria

 The slaughter of Christians continued in Plateau State, Nigeria on May 8, as Fulani herdsmen killed 13 Christians in Bassa County, the Christian Daily website reports today (MAY 11, 2026).

Muslim Fulani gunmen killed the Christians in a pre-dawn attack on Ngbra Zongo community in Kwall District, said Joseph Chudu, Yonkpa spokesperson of area Mango communities in a statement issued in Jor.

"The attack has left dozens of other Christians injured, and hundreds of others displaced,"Yonkpa said.

New Global Study:Catholics Losing Members While Protestants Gain Some

A new global study by Pew Research Center shows that Catholicism has experienced net losses through religious switching in nearly every country surveyed, while Protestantism has recorded gains in several regions, the Christian Daily website reports today (May 3, 2026).

The analysis, released as part of Pew's Global Religious Futures project with a different religion than the one in which they were raised. 

The report found that more people left Catholicism than joined it in 21 of the 24 countries surveyed. Hungary was the only country where converts into Catholicism outnumbered those leaving the church.

Pew defines "religious switching" as a change between the religion.

Greek Orthodox Church Now Surging in U.S.

Multiple recent reports confirm a major surge of converts entering Greek and other Eastern Orthodox parishes across the U.S., with some churches overflowing and clergy struggling  to keep up, the Greek up, the Greek Reporter website reports today (April 25, 2026).

Across the U.S., Orthodox parishes -- including many Greek Orrthodox communities == are experiencing record numbers of inquirers, catechumers, and converts.  Several independent  news utlets describe this as a "flood,"  "surge," or "unprecedented shift"in Ameerican Orthodoxy.

 Clergy report more prospective converts then they can handle, with some parishes doubling or tripling in size since the pandemic.

In Colorado Springs, Holy Theophany Orfthodox Church had to launch a second parish because crowds were spilling outside every Sunday. A third parish is already being discussed.

While the surge spans all Orthodox jurisdictions, Greek Orthodox parishes are central to the trend. St. Sophia Cathedral  in Los Angeles is highlighted repeatedly as a hub of new converts.

Prayer Can Reduce Stress in Your Body

Most people think of prayer as something  spiritual , but prayer can affect the body also, the Crossmap website reports today (April 22,2026).

One of the biggest changes involves cortisol, the body's stress hormones.When stress stays high for a long time, cortisol levels can stay high too, This cam lead to poor sleep, anxiety, fatigue, higher blood pressure and s weaker immune system.

Studies have found that people who pray regularly often have lower cortisol levels during stressful situations. They also tend to feel calmer, more stable, and emotionally stronger.

Prayer can also calm the body's "fight or flight" response. When we are stressesd, our breathing becomes faster, our heart beats harder, and our muscles tighten. Quiet prayer can help slow those reactions down. Breathing becomes more steady,heart rate slows,and the body begins to relax.

A 2024 study found that prayer combined with slow breathing  may lower stredd hormones and help the bodyr  relax. Researchers said slow, steady prayer may activate the parasympathic nervous system, which helps the body rest and recover.

Prayer centered on God's love,peace, protection,gratitude, and trust often brings a deeper sense of comfort and healing.