The Prayer: Rise with Jesus Hits No. 1 in Three Countries

By AI, Created 4:26 PM UTC, May 26, 2026, /AGP/ – The illustrated 30-day devotional by Stefania Leão and Alexander Debelov has reached No. 1 bestseller status in the U.S., Italy and Brazil as it expands into five languages. The book’s growing reach is now tied to a service mission, with net proceeds supporting homeless outreach and local churches in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Why it matters: - The book’s chart performance gives an independently published Christian devotional rare international visibility. - The authors are also channeling sales into local aid, linking reader demand to homeless outreach and church support in the San Francisco Bay Area. - The multilingual rollout broadens access for readers in English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and French.

What happened: - “The Prayer: Rise with Jesus,” a 30-day illustrated devotional by Stefania Leão and Alexander Debelov, became a No. 1 bestseller in the United States, Italy and Brazil. - The book has also received recognition from the Best Indie Book Award, Storytrade Award and Readers’ Favorite. - The devotional is now available in five languages: English, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and French.

The details: - The book follows a daily format built around scripture, reflection, prayer and original watercolor illustration. - Each of the 30 days is designed to take five to 10 minutes to read. - Leão described the project as a prayer that began during “one of the darkest seasons of life,” and said the larger mission goes beyond bestseller rankings. - Debelov, a San Francisco entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, illustrated the watercolor artwork. - The collaboration pairs devotional writing with visual art and aims to make faith feel personal, beautiful and accessible. - Net proceeds from the book support homeless outreach and local churches in the San Francisco Bay Area. - The authors said review copies, book images, author information, bestseller screenshots, award details and interview availability are available at the project website and the press page. - The book is also promoted through Stefania Leão’s Instagram and Alexander Debelov’s TikTok.

Between the lines: - The combination of chart success, awards and translation suggests the devotional has moved from a niche release to a broader international faith product. - The service component gives the project a real-world purpose beyond book sales and may help sustain reader interest. - The authors are framing the book less as a commercial title and more as a faith-based movement centered on daily practice and practical compassion.

What’s next: - The authors are using the book’s momentum to expand outreach and local giving. - The multilingual editions position the devotional for continued growth with readers outside the U.S. - Further interviews, images and award materials are being made available to media and readers through the project’s press resources.

The bottom line: - “The Prayer: Rise with Jesus” is turning bestseller status into a broader faith-and-service platform, with global readership and local impact now moving together.