How to do daily devotions with a busy schedule
Give daily devotionals another try with these practical insights and tips that are built for busy people without consistent schedules.
I’d you wondered how to do devotions despite a hectic schedule, I’m here for you. I’ve never had a consistent routine when I was a journalist, as my schedule depended on the news of the day.
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Advice on how to do devotions, with practical insights and tips if you’re struggling with a devotional habit.
Make devotions an uplifting and encouraging part of your day
First, I want to emphasize that a daily devotional practice is a “get to,” not a “have to.” Treating it like another thing to check off each morning isn’t the best approach. It can start to feel like a chore, which is beside the point!
Instead, I like to think of it as a daily investment I make in my faith by simply spending time with the Lord. A devotional habit just makes a routine of spending time in God’s Word.
For example, each morning I get up and have breakfast with my husband — sometimes rising earlier if his work day starts earlier than normal. It’s our habit to start our day together. Even a few minutes, on a daily basis, adds up over time.
Daily devotions are the same: You’re investing in a closer relationship with God in a small but meaningful way that can pay dividends over time. Any devotional time, no matter how seemingly small, is a good thing!
If it’s your first time, start small. Aim for 5 or 10 minutes at a time, maybe a quarter of an hour, on most days. Whether you’re a morning person or incorporate evening prayers, this spiritual practice can grow your faith journey in the new year.
How to develop a devotional habit without a consistent time
If you’ve ever struggled with consistency, especially when it comes to a busy schedule that prevents you from committing to a consistent time, my practical tips include the counterintuitive advice to stop using the clock. Instead:
Use the same chair or couch corner each time. Designate this spot as your daily devotional spot and use it, whenever possible (give yourself grace!), for your daily devotional time. Whether it’s your kitchen table or another location, this is your quiet spot.
Link devotions to an existing habit, such as drinking a morning cup of coffee. If you drink a cup each morning — even if that first sip is at different times — it’s still a part of your morning routine. A daily devotion can be the same.
Designate a “before” or “after” time, not necessarily a clock time. For example, do your devotional before you have breakfast each morning, or after dinner, or just before your evening prayer before bed. Identifying set-aside times can be helpful. Remember, it's not about a set time, but rather the consistency.
Prepare the day before. Set out your Bible, your devotional book and journal, and a pen or pencil if you’re taking notes on what you’re reading. When the decision’s already made, the execution becomes easier.
Pray for desire. Ask God to help you desire to spend this time with you. This simple prayer can help change their heart and outlook when it comes to starting or maintaining a daily devotion habit. Seeking God’s guidance is always a good thing, and why wouldn’t he want to encourage a deeper relationship?
How to structure your quiet time: Practical steps and strategies
Everyone does this differently, but here is some general advice on what to include during your devotional time.
Get comfortable in your chair, couch corner, and prepare your supplies. Take a sip of your coffee, turn on music if that helps you focus, or light a candle. If you journal, open and date it. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
Eliminate as many distractions as possible — put your phone in another room! Guard this quiet space from interruptions. This is your time to connect with the Holy Spirit. Center yourself and allow yourself to surrender into a spirit of prayer.
Pray before you start (or at the end). Either is appropriate, in my opinion, and there’s no reason not to do both if time allows. Ask God to open your heart and speak to you through the reading, or to help you understand and apply the reading to the rest of your day. Even a one-sentence prayer to center you in God’s presence can help; I've even heard that heartfelt prayers that are only one word can make a difference: "Thanks."
Read slowly. There’s no rush! Pause after key sentences and let them sink in. Some folks benefit from reading out loud or listening to an audio version of the devotion or Bible verses. If you spot spiritual insights that resonate with you, underline or highlight them. Savor the spiritual food that’s nourishing your soul.
Don’t aim for perfection. Give yourself lots of grace, especially if you’re just starting. If you miss a day, that’s OK, just start again the next day. Remember, your devotional time isn’t a task to be done; it’s not about checking the box. Progress, not perfection, will build the habit.
Start small. If you only have 5 minutes — or 1 minute, if that’s all you can manage — you can connect with God. Start slow, and as your daily devotion becomes part of your routine, you can add on a few minutes here and there.
What do I do if regular devotional time continues to be a struggle?
Everyone is wired a little differently, and in my experience, a daily devotional time that’s structured a certain way doesn’t always work for someone who’s designed differently.
Be flexible. If something isn’t resonating, try getting a different devotional book. Maybe switch topics or try one written with a different writing style.
Consider how God designed your personality; if you’re not wired for academic study, that’s OK Pick a devotional approach that’s a better fit for who God designed you to be.
Try movement. Not everyone enjoys sitting on the couch. Instead, they benefit from adding movement to their daily time with God, such as going for a walk and listening to an audiobook or meditating on a particular scripture.
Many Christian have received spiritual insight on a walk! No matter how you spend time with the Lord, it’s a good time investment.
Try coloring. Seriously! I read the book, “Praying in Color” by Sybil MacBeth, and it changed how I viewed and related to God, drawing me deeper by tapping into my God-given creativity and connecting with him in a new and authentic way.
Try music. Play a worship song, or better yet, sing alone. The Lord wants us to honor him through song!
Try storytelling. Instead of focusing on the Word of God, read a Christian testimony, such as the 40 short stories in Part II of the book, “Faith Storytellers" by Mackenzie Ryan Walters.
God calls us to share stories, and you might even spend your devotional time writing your own faith story, as each step encourages you to pray and seek God’s divine fingerprints in your daily life.
How do I keep up these spiritual practices?
As you spend more regular time with Jesus Christ, you'll begin to see the impact of learning and meditating on Biblical principles. While keeping up with spiritual practices such as daily prayer or devotionals can be challenging, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone!
Find an accountability partner, such as a spouse or friend. The majority of Christians who attend church each week also do a devotional on most days, so chances are, you just need to ask.
Text a Bible verse from your devotional to each other, or if you're in a small group, send it to the whole group. That’s built-in accountability!
Focus on spending time with the Lord, not checking off a task. If you can only do a devotion a few times a week, or once a week, that’s better than none!
Find the “best fit” for you. Whether it's through Scripture reading, devotional readings, or starting a Bible reading plan (this is the daily Bible reading my husband and I are doing).
Focus on your spiritual growth. Just think, in 12 months, you'll be able to look back on the past year, reflect on how you've spent more special times with God than you have previously, and celebrate how far you've come.
What daily devotional book should I read?
More than anything, I encourage you to select a devotional book that will enhance your spiritual growth. If you’re going through hard times, consider selecting a book that addresses the challenges that often come during your particular season of life.
We’ve got you covered! Explore our more general devotional guide, the 14 best daily devotionals for 2026, or jump to our specific recommendations for men, women, couples, and more.
As you browse our curated lists, consider the intended audience for each of these books. Some offer daily readings for the entire year, others focus on a particular Scripture passage, while others will help you meditate on Biblical truth.
‘Jesus Calling’ by Sarah Young
A good devotional book to start with is “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young, an international bestseller that’s written in the voice of Jesus, as if he’s talking directly to you. It’s an uplifting and soothing devotion that’s perfect for the beginner (or really, anyone!).
Another great book to start with is "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, which is a classic devotional that will help you deepen your relationship with God. Make sure you get the updated language edition, which has been revised with modern English for easier reading and application.
Great devotionals for women
➡️ The 17 best devotionals for women
➡️ Discover 10 devotional journals for 2026
➡️ The 10 best devotionals for teen girls
Great devotionals for men
➡️ The 10 best devotionals for men
Best devotionals for couples
➡️ The 10 best couples devotional books
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Mackenzie Ryan Walters is the author of “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story,” which shares Christian testimonies and stories, as well as curated lists about Christian books, gifts, and more. A national award-winning former journalist who’s covered a presidential campaign, been inside NASA, and reported on education and schools, Mackenzie now edits the Faith Storytellers website and is passionate about lifting up and sharing the story God is writing in the world.
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