8 Tips for Devotional Reading

As believers, we know it’s important to spend time with God each day. But despite our best intentions, the hectic pace of life can distract us from setting aside time to read and reflect on God’s Word.

Devotional readings are a great way to easily incorporate God’s Word into your routine. Following a few practical tips can help you solidify this as an everyday habit:

1. Set aside a dedicated time. Choose a specific time each day to read your devotional. Maybe you’re a morning person or prefer to read and reflect just before bed. No time is better than another, but selecting a set time and keeping a consistent routine will help you solidify your devotional habits.
   
   

2. Find a quiet space. In the same way that choosing a consistent time can be beneficial, dedicating a set space for your devotional can help you establish a new routine. You may find that you enjoy a cup of coffee or some instrumental music while you read. In general, though, try to minimize distractions and interruptions so you can focus on the message of the devotion.
   
   

3. Start with prayer. Jesus modeled the importance of starting with prayer and asking for God’s wisdom and discernment. Begin your devotional time with a moment of prayer, asking for God’s guidance and understanding as you read his Word.
   
   

4. Take your time. Your devotional time isn’t about rushing through to the end or checking off a to-do. Take your time with each reading, considering the meaning of the words and how God may be speaking to you through them.
   
   

5. Keep a journal. Consider keeping a journal to write down any thoughts, insights, or questions that arise during your devotional time. This can help you process what you’re learning and allow you to refer back to it later.
   
   

6. Consult additional resources. If there is a passage you’re struggling to understand or a topic you’d like to learn more about, you can supplement your devotional reading with related scriptures or commentaries to gain deeper insights.
   
   

7. Apply it to your life. As you read your devotional, think about how you can apply the lessons to your daily life and look for opportunities to live out the biblical principles you’ve learned. “Do not merely listen to the word... Do what it says” (James 1:22).
   
   

8. Share with others. If you’ve learned something new in your quiet time, consider sharing it with friends, family, or a small group. Reflecting on Scripture with others deepens our own understanding and edifies them as well.

As you strive to make this practice part of your everyday life, remember that the purpose of this routine is to be with God. Implementing these eight strategies will help you cultivate a consistent devotional routine as you seek to deepen your knowledge and understanding of God’s Word. If you find yourself falling behind or missing a day, remember to give yourself the same grace that God extends to you.

Looking for free devotional readings? Today is a free daily devotional that helps God's people refresh, refocus, and renew their faith in Christ Jesus through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer. Available online, in print, and in audio format, Today helps readers and listeners grow deeper in love and relationship with God as they spend time with him each day. Access our full devotional library here.