Choosing a designated space for your daily devotionals helps create a sense of routine and ritual. It can also serve as a reminder for your devotional time. When you choose your spot strategically, it can make devotionals easier by giving you the space you need for your Bible, journal and other tools you use.
To choose a spot, think about the type of space you want. Maybe you have a cozy chair in the corner of your bedroom where you can place a small table to hold your devotional materials. A desk or dining room table can also work well. Pick an area that's functional for devotional time and inviting to make you want to use it.
Instead of choosing a general time, such as the morning, schedule a specific time. This can help you build a habit when you're just getting started. Schedule your daily devotional when you feel focused and don't have to rush. You can set a reminder on your phone to sound at that time to help you stick with it.
Connecting devotional time with morning habits you already have can make it easier to remember. For instance, perhaps you sit down with a cup of coffee and the newspaper or a gratitude journal every morning. Add your devotional time to those established routines so it becomes just as much of a habit as your other morning activities.
When you're creating a new devotional habit, you might not know how to spend your time. Planning your devotions gives you a roadmap and can make the practice seem more approachable. You can find a wide range of devotional guides at your favorite bookstore to walk you through the process. These guides often have a specific intended audience, such as women. They might also focus on a particular outcome, such as reducing worries, understanding God's purpose for your life or finding strength.
The tools and materials you use for your devotional time can help get you excited about it. You might explore different versions of the Bible to find the one that resonates with you, for instance. Some people use devotional or Bible apps to help. You might want a journal to work through your thoughts during your devotional time. Finding the tools that work for you can support your devotional habit.
Setting yourself up for success often starts the night before. Set up your devotional area before you go to bed. This can be especially helpful if you use your dining table or another area that serves multiple purposes. Put out your Bible and any other materials you use during devotional time. When you wake up, you can jump right into your time with God instead of spending time gathering what you need and getting situated.
When you're comfortable, you can often focus better on what you're doing. A comfy seat in your devotional area lets you settle in for the duration. Wear cozy clothes that put you at ease. You might grab a warm blanket and a favorite drink to sip while you study God's word.
Leaning into quiet moments with God is easier when you minimize the distractions around you. Note the things that draw your attention away from God and find ways to eliminate those issues. For instance, if looking out the window and seeing people or traffic go by distracts you, change your position during devotional time so you don't see the view. Think about what helps you focus to create a suitable environment. Maybe quiet Christian music in the background gets you in the right frame of mind and improves your devotional time. Find what works for you when creating an ideal environment.
Talking about your devotional time with others can encourage you to dive deeper into the process. Strike up conversations with your friends and neighbors about your devotionals. You might ask if they have good devotional recommendations to inspire your time with God. You can also share your thoughts on Bible verses you've studied. Discussing those topics with others gives you different perspectives and can help increase your understanding of them.
For some people, keeping a record helps reinforce habits. Create a chart or make a mark on your calendar each day that you complete your devotional time. It can be inspiring to look back at the record and see how many days in a row you've stuck with your new habit. If you want to be a little more detailed, keep a notebook or journal with a few lines about how you spent your devotional time each day.
