Starting your day with a meaningful devotional routine—through prayer, Bible reading, reflection, and worship—can deepen your relationship with God, but the most important thing is finding a consistent time and space that works best for you.
Our relationship with God is the most important one in our lives. We can connect with God at all times of the day or night, but for some people, the morning is the best time. New to Christianity or a daily devotee? If you're an early riser, try these morning routine ideas.
The Importance of a Morning Routine
Having a morning Bible reading routine is essential. The morning is when our day is fresh and ripe with possibilities. For some people, the morning is their best time of day. This is the perfect time to sit down, get quiet with God, study his word, and listen closely with our hearts to what he is speaking to us.
Choosing the Right Time for Devotion
Choosing the right time for devotion can be difficult in our busy world. People work various schedules, so not everyone can do morning devotions. Some may have to do them in the afternoon, evening, or late at night, and that’s okay.
For those of you who are morning people, you don’t always have to do your devotions early in the morning. If you are a stay-at-home mom, it may be better for you to do them after your kids and spouse leave for work and school. Work at home, mom? Doing devotions at lunchtime may work better for you. Others who have a few hours before going to work may need to get a few things done before spending time with the Lord.
Even though we are focusing on morning devotions, doing them at any time of day is fantastic as long as it works for you.
Creating a Sacred Space
Make sure the space where you have devotions is sacred. Spending time with the Lord in the same place every morning will help quiet your mind, still your spirit, and relax your body because you know what is coming.
Create a space that is quiet and free of distractions. If need be, play soft music through your earbuds while reading the word to help stay focused.
Selecting Devotional Materials
You must have a Bible you can understand. Some versions of the Bible, like the King James Version, are challenging to understand. Choose a Bible that’s easy to read. I have a Chicken Soup for the Soul New Living Translation Bible, and I love it.
It may even help to buy a devotion to keep you on track. The Bible is an enormous book, and it can be overwhelming figuring out where to start. A 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, or 120-day devotion will guide you in what to study and how to apply it.
Incorporating Prayer into Your Routine
Before you even get out of bed, spend some time in prayer. Thank God for waking you up and ask him to be with you throughout your day. After your devotions, close in prayer by asking him to watch over you and ask for his guidance and blessing throughout your day. Lift all your meetings, important calls, errands, and anything else you need to do, and ask him to go before you as you go about your day.
Meditation and Reflection
As you read the word, reflect on it and meditate on it. Think about what God is saying and how you can apply those lessons to yourself (being more loving, gracious, kind, etc.) or apply what you are reading to your life. Keep these things in your mind and continue to think about them throughout the day.
Setting a Focus Scripture
Set a focus scripture for the week or month. This can be a scripture that encourages you, teaches you a lesson, or applies to your season. It could even be a scripture that you read that catches your attention. Regardless, choose a scripture and meditate on it for the week or month.
Balancing Silence and Worship
Spend some of your morning worship time singing or listening to your favorite worship music. Once you’re done, sit for 10-15 minutes quietly in his presence, allowing him to speak to your heart.
Establishing Consistency and Commitment
With our busy schedules, establishing consistency and commitment can be difficult. Luckily, we live in a world where it doesn’t have to be. Having a devotional or listening to a podcast with a Bible reading plan helps me stay on track. I’m listening to the Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia and Michelle, and every morning I get the day's Bible reading in my inbox. This is huge in helping me stay on track. I read every morning and then fit in listening to the podcast later in the day.
Speaking of consistency, if you can’t read the Bible every morning, listen to a Christian podcast or a Christian audiobook. This way, you are still getting in the word every morning, but in a different way.
Adjusting Your Routine as Needed
Your morning time with God doesn’t have to be set in stone. Some mornings will be busier than others, and it’s okay. It may be better for you to get your devotional time in later in the morning, maybe even at lunchtime, later in the evening, or at night. As long as you stay consistent, that is the most important thing.
Here are Some Other Tips for Setting Up Your Morning Routine with God:
-Keep a gratitude journal and write 3-5 things you are thankful for each morning. This will help you focus on God’s blessings in your life.
-Memorize scripture and choose a new verse each week. Look in the mirror and recite it each morning to keep God at the forefront of your mind daily.
-Read a Psalm to help you connect with God through worship and thanksgiving.
-Write a letter to God and pour your heart out about your thoughts, prayers, and concerns.
-Take time to pray for others in your family, your friends, your circle of influence, and other people in your life, like your boss, coworkers, and community.
Recite a morning affirmation and keep reciting it all day. For example, “With God, I can do all things,” or “God loves me.”
-Listen to a sermon by one of your favorite pastors or spiritual figures to start your day with spiritual insight and encouragement.
-Reflect on creation. While you are sitting on your front or back porch or walking your dog, take some time to look around at God's creation. Thank him for the trees that help with our air, the flowers in your neighbor's yard, and the entertaining creatures like birds, rabbits, and squirrels that cross your path.
-Make a “to trust” list. Write your worries, give them to the Lord, and trust him to manage what’s beyond your control.
End your time by thanking him for his love, grace, and mercy, and allowing you to live another day for him.
Spending time with God first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day. Take time to decide how you will set up, rearrange, or enhance your morning routine to become closer to him.
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/pamela_d_mcadams
