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.

New Report: Bible Reading Declines but Openness to Scriprture Rises in U.S.

A newly released  national study by the American Bible Society finds that while  Bible reading  and engagement in the U.S. have declined from last year's  levels, openness to the  Bible has grown significantly, with 9 million more Americans expressing  interest in its message since 2024, the Christian Daily website reports today (April 20, 2026).

The findings come from the first chapter of the organization's 2026 State of the Bible report, published April 9, which analyzes Americans' attitudes toward Scripture,faith practices, and church involvement. The report shows that 28% of U.S. adults now fall into what researchers call the "Movable Middle" -- those who are curious about  the Bible but not deeply engaged -- marking  a notable  increase over the past two years.

The proportion  of Americans considered "Scripture Engaged" has returned to about 17%, similar to levels recorded two years ago.

TBN Now Serves Whole World

For 0ver 50 years, the mission of the Trinity Broadcasting Network has remained unchanged:To use available means to reach as many inividuals and families as possible with the life--changing Gospel of Christ, the Crossmap website reports today (April 18, 2026). 

Launched in 1973 by the Christian television pioneers Paul and Jan Crouch, TBN began as one low--power television station broadcasting a few hours of Christian programming each day to viewers throughout the Los Angeles area.  In the years since, TBN has grown into a family of  over thirty twenty-- four  hour global network reaching every inhabited continent with entertaining inspirational and life--changing programming to family member and demographic' TBN began as a dream to build  a Christian television network for the whole world.Today that dream  is reality and still expanding.

Orthodox Christians Celebrate Easter on April 12

Orthodox Easter occurred on April 12, 2026 -- one week after Western Easter on April5 5-- due to the Eastern Orthodox Church's continued use of  the Julian Calendar to calculate Easter, while  the Catholic and Protestant  Churhes use the Gregorian Calendar.. Orthodox Christians also maintain that  Easter must fall after the Jewish Passover. 

Across Orthodox Churches worldwide -- from Greece, Russia, Egypt,Ethiopia, Romania, and diaspora communities -- the celebration began late on Holy Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Churches were completely darkened as the faithful gathered in silence.

Just before midnight, the priest lights a single candle, symbolizing Christ's  rising from the  tomb. 

The flame is passed from  person to person until the entire church glows with candlelight. 

At midnight , the priest proclaims: "Christos Anesti." (Christ is risen) and the people respond :"Alithos Anesti." (Truly He is risen).

The Paschal  Divine Liturgy follows with many parishes communing all Orthodox Christians present.

This moment -- darkness shattered by light -- is the heart of Orthodox Pascha.

"Christian Nationalism" Label Is Dangerous

One of the most effective ways to silence a Christian voice today is to attach a label to it  -- one that sounds  dangerous enough that no further argument  is required. That label is "Christian nationalism," the Christian Post website reports today (April 10,2026).

Some of the most oppressive regimes in  history wrapped themselves in  the language  of national identity. The party led by Adolf Hitler was known as the  National  Socialist German Workers' Party. 

As a result, the term "nationalism" often evokes  images of authoritarianism, coercion and extremism. When the word is joined with "Christian," the effect is immediate. Suspicion  is cast before any explanation  is given.

To suggest that applying  biblical truth to public life is dangerous  and misrepresents the  very nature of the  Christian faith itself,

Jesus Christ is not Lord over a narrow corner of private devotion.  He is Lord of all. 

New Report: Young Canadians Show Greater Openness to Religion

 A new research report suggests that young Canadians are showing  greater openness to religion, even as religious affiliations in the country remain low, the Christian Daily  website reports today(April 7, 2026).

The report ,  published March 5 by the Ontario--based Christian think tank  Cardus, in paertnership with the Canadian Bible Society, examines emerging trends in how  Canadians aged 18 to 34 relate to faith. Titled "Faith Restored ? The Evolving Relationship  Between Religion and Young  Canadians," the study explores whether Canada could be  experiencing early signs of a shift similar to what  some researchers have described as a "quiet revival" in the United Kingdom and reneweed interest in Christianity in  the United States.

"Religion  has not gone away, and within some groups and areas of the world it is growing," the report concludeed.

There is anecdotal evidence -- and in some cases, actual data -- to show  that people  aged 18--34 are open to Christianity and other faith traditions , and they are actively exploring these through activities such as reading Scripture and attending church.

The Unexpected Treasure of a King Who Gives

 While earthly kings demand,  consume,and enslave,  Jesus stands alone as the King  who continually gives life, mercy, and blessing ,  the Crossmap website reports today (April 5, 2026).

Israel asks for a king to be like  surrounding  nations.

Their request displeases God because they were rejecting  His leadership.

Unlike  earthly rulers, Jesus gives endlessly:grace, forgiveness, life, and Himself.

Jesus is the only King who  never exoloits  His people,but pours Himself out for them.

Believers are urged to recognize the treasure of Christ's  Kingship and to resist the  temptation to  seek worldly substitutes for God's leadership.

Indeed,  Jesus is the only King  who never exploits His people, but  pours Himself out  for them.