How Devotionals Help in Tough Situations

Do you have a regular devotional practice? The online Cambridge Dictionary defines the term devotion as “loyalty and love or care for someone or something.” Most of us understand that devotion suggests an ongoing commitment to valuing someone or something enough to organize our schedule, efforts, and priorities around them. In sacred practices, this term has come to represent the time we spend connecting with God through scripture and prayer.

In John 15:5-6 Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This image from the vineyard reminds us that He is our life source. We were created by Him to be in relationship with Him. We are most at home when we are regularly talking to Him, enjoying His company, and basing our priorities and values on His Word. To forego this incredible opportunity is something akin to expecting cut flowers to continue growing and blooming season after season.

How to integrate daily devotion into your routine.

The first key to any daily habit is to recognize its value. If we don’t think we need to do something, we’ll have a hard time sticking with it. However, when we recognize the value of staying connected with Jesus daily and enjoying the positive impact of setting aside time for worship and conversation, we see it as a gift rather than an obligation. He invites us to bring everything to him and to exchange our heavy loads of worry, stress, and fear for something light and helpful. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Once we recognize the need, we must make a plan. Some people love to wake up early in the morning and watch the sunrise as they listen to worship music. Others prefer a nighttime routine of reading the Bible and journaling. For some, a walk outside at lunch is the ideal time to take a deep breath and have a conversation with God while enjoying His creation. The key to a consistent practice is making sure it fits in with your routine and style.
Ask yourself these questions:
  • What time of day can you dedicate consistently?
  • How much time do you want to set aside each day?
  • What activities help you to focus your attention on God’s voice?

This is not meant to be complicated. As a matter of fact, it’s the most natural thing there is. Don’t know how to start? Jesus gave us a model when He taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13:

This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, (Recognize God as holy and set apart from humans.)
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. (Acknowledge that His ways and will are perfect.)
Give us today our daily bread. (Everything good comes from Him and we are dependent on His provision.)
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Recognize that He has forgiven us and in gratitude we forgive others.)
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. (We need Him to lead us on the right way every day.)

Creating a group for support

We all need time alone with God each day to listen, learn, and receive. It’s also a gift to share learning and prayers with others. Consider starting a walking group, coffee meetup, or group chat with others for a time of encouragement and prayer. Set a start and end time and agree on how you’ll take turns sharing. Set an agenda like:
  • 10 minutes Check-in and prayer request update
  • 10 minutes Discuss the Devotional Passage – What are you learning? Do you see any connection with your daily life and what God is teaching you?
  • 10 minutes – Share prayer requests.
  • 10 minutes – Pray for one another.

Additional Resource

Learn more about Finally Home’s Encouragement From the Heart: Parent Devotional. It’s a collection of short Scripture-based devotional readings meant to remind you that God is always speaking. His Word is alive and able to challenge, correct and comfort like nothing else.

If you’re a ministry leader and would like this resource for your congregation, please contact us for a bulk discount for orders of 10 or more.

Conclusion

Building in time to connect daily with God gives you time and space to check-in, connect, and center ourselves. Make sure to find time to do this individually and also consider finding community to share with others.

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