In May 2022, Intercessors for America first heard the remarkable story of one teacher/intercessor named Hannah Sailsbury. She walked through her halls every morning and prayed for the children before school started. After seeing one of her students reading an old Bible he checked out of the library, the ministry of Bibles in Schools was born. Sailsbury’s mission is to spread God’s Word by getting engaging Action Bibles in public school libraries since there are no laws prohibiting it.

Children are a blessing and gift from God; shouldn’t they have access to Bibles if they have access to ungodly books? If you answered yes, keep reading and see what you can do to make that happen.

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Here are a few beautiful testimonies of what God is doing through this ministry.

Thanks to the recent victories in Oklahoma and Louisiana, where the Ten Commandments will be on display and the Bible can be taught, 34 Bibles were sent to Louisiana—a teacher requested them; she will be teaching the Bible as literature. Thanks to Bibles in Schools, this teacher will have the resources she needs to teach 34 students every year. Let’s pray that her colleagues follow suit!

Bibles in Schools kept getting orders from all over the U.S. Hannah found out a librarian posted about it on a Facebook page. Many people thought it was spam mail, but they discovered it was a real organization. It helped get Bibles into over 50 schools. Is it a funny coincidence or a God wink? Either way, it’s a praise report.

A tender story comes from Texas about a first-grade boy named Angel. He kept checking out the Action Bible from the school library, and when the librarian asked him why, Angel said that he and his dad read the Bible together every morning. The librarian wrote Bibles in Schools and said the Bibles were very popular and were always checked out. She requested that Angel receive the gift of a copy of the Spanish Action Bible. Angel was surprised, happy, and thankful. His teacher told Hannah, “You made his dream come true by giving him this Bible.” 

Can we take a minute and praise God for this testimony? When I heard this story, I became emotional. We know that our children are under attack. The enemy is out to destroy families and children. I was moved by the fact that Angel wanted to read the Bible not only because he loved it but because it was something he could do with his father. Isn’t that beautiful? The Bibles these children are bringing home produce good fruit not just for them but for their families. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8 AMPC). 

Another student took a long time to return his Bible, and when the librarian asked. He said he was trying to finish reading the whole Bible. His mom bought him one to keep. 

Hannah said, “Some of these kids may have different versions of the Bible. Some kids may have never seen a Bible at all. So when they get their hands on a different Action Bible, they get excited to read it. The students are ready to talk about the Bible after reading it. 

“Families go to church together. Do they talk about the Bible when they leave? Maybe… I would hope so, but I also know we can get so busy. I love that we are providing precious family time. When children take their Bibles home, they read with their families; they talk about the Bible and God. It’s bringing families together.”

Because Hannah’s ministry has started with prayer, she recently connected with Lock The Shields. She felt it necessary to share the importance of praying at schools. She also partnered with Likewise Academy, which advocates for Bible education in public schools during school hours. 

Bibles In Schools Need Your Prayers

When I asked Hannah how we could pray, she mentioned there had been some roadblocks with more prominent districts. When Bibles in Schools reaches out, no one returns their calls.

 Pray for God’s connections. We need the right people who have favor in districts and can open doors for Bibles to get into the school libraries (see Psalm 90:17 ). 

Pray that God will make a way where it looks like there is no way. Some districts are no longer accepting donations of books, which makes it impossible since the Bibles are donated to school libraries. However, intercessors know, believe, and continue in prayer because we know that nothing is impossible with God (see Mark 11:22-24 ). 

Pray for school board members, teachers, parents, and librarians to advocate for getting Bibles in schools. Hannah presented the mission of Bibles in Schools before a school board, and they, as well as the superintendent, approved it. A school member has been helpful. However, almost six months have passed, and the district librarian has yet to follow through. Whether it’s procrastination or delay, we can pray (see Galatians 6:9 ).

Pray for Bibles to get into New York school libraries. Here are some facts about New York: New York City is the largest school district in the United States. There are 995,336 students in more than 1,800 different schools in this district. Bibles in Schools have not touched these schools! We need contacts! Do you know people or churches in New York City? Perhaps you can help (see Job 42:2 ).

Pray for bold, unapologetic teachers, administration, and parents who will defend and invite God’s Word into their children’s schools. Some librarians will not accept Bibles because they say it’s favoritism. They say they cannot accept one religious text and not all of them. “They don’t understand that the Bible is more than a religious text. It’s historical. It was part of our country’s founding. It’s been taught in schools, and it’s still being taught. There is no reason for them not to accept it. It’s getting more complicated only because they don’t understand our nation’s history or our rights, Hannah said.” 

Maybe some teachers, parents, and school districts don’t respond due to fear. Maybe they don’t want the pushback from parents, other teachers, etc. “I know there are many Christian parents, teachers, and staff. We need believers who are steadfast and bold in faith to speak up! Even though there are setbacks, God is still working. In Oklahoma, a superintendent wanted a Bible in every classroom. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy to implement. The enemy will try and fight against God’s Word, getting into schools. But that doesn’t mean we give up. People like us can do something. We can keep going and keep trying! There are so many other kids out there just like Angel and the others,” Hannah said. 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV). 

Here’s how you can get involved. If you are a parent, live by, or work in a school, mention Bibles in schools. Share with teachers, librarians, friends, and churches, as well as on social media. Getting Bibles in school means that kids’ and families’ lives will be changed for God. Let’s remain steadfast in spreading God’s Word. Hannah shared she is always grateful when IFA shares her story. She said she noticed more orders and is thankful for your help. Check out Bibles In Schools for more ways to get involved.

Let’s pray that this year, we will see more Bibles in school libraries and children’s hands.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for every answered prayer and for Your Word, which is life-giving. It’s a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Your Word never returns void, and we know that with every Bible being read by a child and their family, You are at work. We pray for this coming school year and ask that You open doors for Bibles, especially in tough districts like New York and other low-engagement states. We are also asking for bigger God connections that no one can take credit for. We are asking for more Bibles on library shelves, and we want to see them happen in the most liberal cities and states. 

We pray for Christian teachers, librarians, and administrators to be bold like lions. Let them be defenders of Your Word, knowing that You will defend them as they stand. We pray for teachers and administration who are lost. Stir a hunger in them as they see why these children are so excited about Bibles. We know that You will transform their hearts and lives as they read Your Word. That is what we want because it’s what You want. We want to hear more stories, just like Angel, where reading the Bible brings families together. 

Cause all things to work together for your good, just like you did when people mistakenly thought the ministry was spam. You caused good fruit to come from it. So much good fruit is coming from this ministry. Keep Your hand of provision and protection over Bibles In schools, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it (Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT). 

So many ungodly books are in school libraries. How will you pray for Bibles in schools? Share in the comments.

IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo credit: Bibles in Schools.