How to Start - and Stick With - a Daily Devotional Plan

Author, speaker

Updated July 18, 2023

Have you ever met someone that seems like they connect with God on a deeper level than most? It’s almost as if you can see the sparkle in their eyes, like they’ve been with God. If you ask them, they would probably give you some churchy answer like, “God is so good,” or “God is good all the time.” And He is! But for them, there is most likely a deep relationship with God that consumes their heart and captures their mind.

There are a few simple things I’ve learned in my life that help me stay on track with my devotion to God. Before we begin, let’s be clear. Getting close to God is not about a reading plan, a calendar, a set of rituals, or even a prayer closet. It is all about a devoted heart. So while these tips to develop daily devotion might help you invest in habits for intentional time with God, habits cannot replace a personal relationship with Him.

If you are looking for a simple way to get back on track in communing with God daily, or develop a regular habit of daily devotion, these simple tips might help.

1. Set a Time and Place

Decide what time you are best able to think and receive information. Maybe you grab your phone first thing in the morning and scroll for thirty minutes before getting out of bed. Consider clicking a Bible app first, or even better getting up and opening a physical copy of God’s Word. Whatever you do, choose a time of day when you know you can show up. Maybe you have a favorite chair, a beautiful view, or a kitchen table where you can sit. Choose a place and attend your devotion time every single day. While we don’t want to view our devotion to God as an appointment or a meeting that needs to be checked off the list, discipline to begin and stick with it is a huge step in the right direction. So simply choose a time and place. Where will yours be?

2. Pray

I hear from people often who say they just can’t seem to hear from God. God is clear in His Word that if we seek Him, we will find Him. He is not playing hide-and-seek with us. He wants to hear from us and wants us to hear from Him. When you enter into devotion, simply let God know you are here and you are open to His voice and direction.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5)

Related article: How Do I Get Started Praying?

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3. Read the Actual Bible

One of the biggest questions I hear is, “Where do I begin reading?” If you’ve never been good at a daily devotion time, begin with reading one chapter of Proverbs a day. Choose the chapter that corresponds with the date. For example on January 1, read Proverbs 1. On January 2, read Proverbs 2. By the end of the month you will have completed the entire book of Proverbs and gleaned some wonderful life lessons about wisdom and life. If you have exhausted Proverbs in the past and need a new place to go, choose a book like John or Romans.

Another great way to challenge yourself is to find a reading plan that leads you through the entire Bible. But let me caution you, do not get caught in the trap of getting behind and then giving up altogether. Take it at your pace. God never instructs us to read a certain amount of His Word each day. The Bible simply implies that we walk with God, pray, study, and give God glory.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

4. Begin Today and Continue Tomorrow

“I’ll get started tomorrow.” Why wait? The Bible says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Begin devoting your heart to prayer and Bible reading today.

The heart’s devotion is not toward an exercise, but toward the Savior. Give time and attention to God and His Word because you love Him. And continue because you know He loves you.

5. Don’t Get Too Rigid in Your Plan

This might be the biggest tip of all. Do not get stuck in a rut, quit, or give up because you cannot keep up with a plan you thought seemed amazing but now is overwhelming. Some days you might read one verse. If God speaks to your heart, stop, ponder, and consider how you can dwell on that verse throughout the day. Ask God to bring it to mind and perhaps write it or post it in a place you can see. Be flexible and open to how God moves in your mind and heart.

One thing I love to do is journal Scripture. I choose at least one verse every day from my reading and write it down. Then I write my prayer down too. This keeps me engaged and gives me a record to go back to on days when my prayers are lacking and my thoughts are wandering.

Daily devotion is more about loving God and developing a relationship with Him, rather than developing a schedule. Daily discipline and a plan helps tremendously. Get to know God by praying and getting in His Word. When we love someone, we talk to them. We tell them what is going well and what our biggest struggles are. We listen to the advice they give and we learn from them. This is what devotion to God looks like.

It’s less about following a set of rules, regulations, or list of reading prompts, and more about letting God into every moment of our lives. Rather than thinking of devotion to God as a one time a day thing, consider it an all-day thing. Yes, set a time and place, but when you rise up from that place, don’t set God down. He goes with you. Remembering He is with you is when daily devotion is taken to the next level. Acknowledging His presence regularly throughout the day is why some people seem to have more of God than others. It’s not that they somehow have a higher dose of Jesus, they just seek Him more and therefore find Him more.

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Photo credit: Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

Micah Maddox is a wife, mama, friend, Bible teacher, and author of a James: Tired, Tested, Torn, and Full of Faith. You can find encouraging resources FREE HERE! Micah is passionate about helping women learn what it truly means to daily walk with Jesus. She is on the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 Writing Team and writes for Encouragement From Women. Her main ministry is at home with her husband, Rob, who leads worship at Clear Springs Baptist Church in East Tennessee, and with her five children, some by birth, and some by adoption. Micah's heart for her local church is what fuels her desire to keep writing, teaching, and serving. Micah loves to give a voice to hurting hearts and writes and speaks to the one who needs encouragement. You can connect with her on Instagram or micahmaddox.com.