How to Plan Daily Devotions So They Stick

In this post, you will learn how plan daily devotions to help make the habit stick. Without a quiet time plan in place, good intentions can fall apart.

My alarm softly sings a wake up song before the sun’s rays have yet to poke their arms up over the dark sky. A couple more minutes of waking up, and I remember it’s time to meet God. I gather my laptop, Bible study, and journal in the inky darkness, being quiet so I don’t wake my husband.

Tiptoeing down the stairs, I let out a breath at the bottom. I didn’t realize I was holding in air. I don’t want to make a sound and wake up Little Miss. The moments of meeting with God are precious, and I don’t want an interruption. My set plan to have daily devotions helps. It’s my Daily Time with God.

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I brew my tea and spread my blanket over my lap, thankful I chose to wear a fashion scarf on this chilly morning. Sipping my hot tea sweetened with just the right amount of raw honey, I sit wrapped in warmth, ready to meet the Lord. What daily bread does He have for me today? I can’t keep the corners of my mouth from tipping up. I’m not alone; He’s with me.

Why You Need Daily Devotions

Has it always been so easy to wake up before the break of day? Am I always so eager? Well, no. Building the habit of daily devotions is a spiritual discipline that has taken a long time. There are days when crucifying my fleshly desires is easier than others, but I want to highlight the joy that comes from my relationship with God.

No, I haven’t always felt the need or desire to crack my Bible open for study on a regular basis, but after I understood selfless love for the first time, a new hunger drove me to seeking Him. Since then I have had my hunger filled, and I want to stay clinging to the vine.

Abide in me, and I in you. John 15:4a NASB

We thrive when we stay close to the vine. Do you want to thrive in Christ? If so, you need a plan to establish your daily devotions. Without a plan, good intentions can fall apart. The good news is, setting up the following will create triggers to cause your brain to respond that it’s time to spend time with God, and they’ll help your habit stick.

4 Decisions to Solidify a Habit for Daily Devotions

Get Your Quiet Time Materials Together

The grocery store has food, but we need to grab the groceries we need and take them home. If not, then we will still be lacking. In the same way, decide what materials you need for your daily devotions with God.

A few suggestions: Bible. Journal and pen. Maybe a cup of tea or coffee. Probably a Bible study. And sometimes fun CrayolaⓇ Twistables to highlight or create Bible art. It’s a thing. Also, you will definitely need a printed copy of the Daily Time Brainstorming Worksheet and Plan described below. Yes, definitely.

Set a Time

How many times have you missed an appointment to the doctor’s office or job interview? Probably not many. Why? Because an important meeting has a set time. Do that with God. He’s always going to be there. Will you show up? Making an early appointment might work best before other things in your day come up. I’ve missed some of those appointments, but I like to “reschedule” for later in the day. If you have to do that, God gives grace.

Pick a Regular Location

Matthew 14:23 says, “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Like Jesus, an isolated place will help keep you from distractions.

To help establish your daily devotions—which is a meeting—it might be helpful to choose the same spot. Where is your meeting with God going to take place? Your desk? What about your car? Your garage? Yes, even the garage could be a special space. At least you probably won’t fall asleep there.

Determine the Frequency

I encourage you to meet with God every day to solidify your habit. Remember the acronym I talked about recently? Determining Again I Live Yielded. Today I’m Maintaining Evidence.

The more consistent you are with keeping a Daily Time with God, the more you will regularly crave His matchless presence. What day is your appointment? I hope your answer is, “Daily.”

More Help to Plan Your Daily Quiet Time

Some days the plan to establish your daily devotions may need to be adjusted to fit your schedule. One caveat is that I have found it easy to slip into excuses when the need to adjust arises and didn’t make my Daily Time priority. Yet God isn’t standing over us with a whip if we mess up. We are still righteous in His sight. Give yourself grace, and keep moving forward!

I have created a Daily Time plan worksheet that includes an assessment with goals. It will help you establish your daily devotions. You will find it in Insider Resources. Sign up to receive access.

What is your favorite time and place to meet with God (outside of a church service)? Do you have certain materials that you like to use? What Bible study are you going through? Share and encourage others! 

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