Mark Lashbrook, Algonquin, IL.
Our greatest enemies; the flesh, the devil and the world, never take a day off, so daily devotion time is critical.
As humans, inconsistency is the norm. Although it won’t necessarily cause one a loss of salvation, it will increase the struggle. “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) The two components that develop faith are; the Word of God and prayer.
Often the lack of time issue is a poor prioritization issue. We’re given 24 hours a day, and only what is scheduled gets done. Nothing is more important than our time with God. Prioritize it, schedule it, and beware of the thief of social media.
I use and teach the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer. Making daily prayer a life-long habit is like determination and discipline in beginning exercising or running. After a while, it becomes second nature, and you can’t imagine life without it.
Jonathan Mains, Sellersburg, IN.
Daily devotion is extremely critical to our walk with God, especially in the time we live in. A person may still be saved without it, but it will be extremely difficult when hard times come.
We all have 24 hours in a day, so we can find time for a lot of things we put under the category of being busy.
My preference is morning devotions, because scripture admonishes us to “Seek ye first the Kingdom…” (Matthew 6:33) I’ve used the Prayer Wheel pattern that breaks prayer time into (12) 5-minute increments and a pattern using the word pray as an acronym; P-praise, R-repentance, A-asking, Y-yes, claiming what you’re praying. People struggle to pray by allowing distractions. And, someone planning a marathon doesn’t just go out the next day and run it. There’s a process of consistency that takes place to get you to that point. Praying the Word is also powerful in touching God and enhancing your relationship with him.
Miguel Garrick, New York, NY.
Maintaining a consistent devotion with God is extremely important in these crucial times when churches aren’t gathering together 100 percent. Jesus spent time away from his disciples to commune with the Father. In prayer and the Word, we gain wisdom and power to live an overcoming life. For me, it’s a retreat, keeping me grounded, calm and at peace throughout the day. We must cultivate a relationship with God through daily prayer and his Word. Falling in love and abiding with him in that secret place is essential.
I use apps, calendars and alarms available to set times for the day and the week. Then it becomes a natural flow or rhythm. Morning devotions work best for me, and I also partner with someone in prayer. I use the Tabernacle guide and prayer guides available at www.wnop.org.
Matthew Martin, Dewar, OK.
Daily prayer and the Word are as important to the spiritual man as air and nutrition are to the natural man. In my opinion, a Christian can’t make it without daily devotion. Jesus said in “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation…” (Matthew 26:41) Psalm 119:11 says “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
I’m an advocate of early morning prayer, and I use the patterns of the Lord’s Prayer and a modified Prayer Clock. Those who struggle to pray more than a few minutes don’t really understand the completeness of prayer such as repentance, thankfulness, praising the Lord, praying for personal needs and intercessory prayer for others. I’ve heard it said the best way to make daily prayer a successful part of your life is to just do it. It’s a personal thing.
Ron Macey, Houston, TX.
Daily devotion is vitally important for Apostolic Christians. The pattern of prayer given by Jesus was “…give us this day, our daily bread…”
I don’t think a Christian can be saved without daily devotion. You can’t have faith without hearing the Word of God, and there are so many sources now to get the Word. Scripture speaks of morning and evening sacrifices, but in pastoring, I never know what a day will bring. I just make sure I go back to the source during that day.
I approach prayer in the pattern the Lord gave us, beginning with repentance and thanksgiving, etc. Then, I go the direction he is leading me. People struggling to pray more than a few minutes aren’t focusing and are allowing themselves to be distracted. And, openness and honesty are best when trying to touch God. Just talk to him as your heavenly Father.
Matthew Tuttle, Vidor, TX.
Daily communing with God is the air that our soul breathes. According to scripture, you can’t be saved without it.
Be intentional and schedule a set time in your calendar for devotions like you would if you were going to meet with the President. I do both morning and evening devotions. Scripture speaks of seeking him early; “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee.” (Psalm 63:1) And evening is the conclusion of the day.
I pray the Lord’s Prayer as an outline and teach on prayer using II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name…..” In Verse 15, God said, “Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” Special attention is given here in scripture regarding a place. Jesus would go away to a place to pray. I also teach new converts to pray the Word, accomplishing reading and prayer to form a lifelong pattern.
Carl McLaughlin, Euless, TX.
If Jesus needed daily bread in the Lord’s Prayer, then our weakened humanity needs daily prayer for us to survive. Without daily devotions, our spiritual immune system will be weak, and we won’t have spiritual antibodies to fight off things.
Using blocks of time has freed me from feeling I’m on the run all the time. Six o’clock to eleven thirty in the morning is focused on my inner life, what I’m becoming. From twelve thirty on, I focus on what I’m doing. This is the action part of my time; responding to texts, emails, etc.
Morning devotions are best for me. I’ve done various prayer patterns, but the one I use most is the A.C.T.S model that keeps me from selfish praying. It’s an acronym; A-Adoration, C-Confession, T-Thanksgiving, and S-Supplication. Notice, the first three are about him.
Focus on progress, not perfection in prayer. Give God your negative emotions you’re in denial about and allow the Spirit to transform your grains of sand into pearls of holiness. Allow prayer to become a spiritual discipline, a conviction, and not an emotional feeling. Inspiration is emotionally driven. Conviction is value-led.