It’s that time of year again. Are you thinking about what you will include in your daily Devotional time for the year ahead? Lots of us are — it’s quite natural that we should look forward to a fresh start.

• Maybe we weren’t as consistent with quiet times as we intended over the past twelve months. So, this is a chance to get more disciplined.
• Maybe we got tired of the devotional book we were reading. So, now we have the chance to try something different.

Here’s the thing …

If you’re like me, then you REALLY want to grow spiritually this year. You don’t want to start a program that will fail to stimulate and challenge you, nor one that’s so unrealistically ambitious that it becomes discouraging.

So, I’ve put more thought than usual into planning my daily devotional for 2019. It deserves that. It’s vital.

Let me share with you what I’ve been thinking about, and the plan that I’ve come up with. I hope this will give you some inspiration for your own daily quiet time.

[Scroll down to the end to see my 2019 plan.]

Five Components I Value in My Daily Devotional Time

Over the years I’ve experimented with lots of different things in my quiet time. I’ve used hymn books and Prayer books, short devotional readings and whole chapters of theological books, video and audio, online and offline.

Some of these things have added something fresh for a while. But in the end it’s a few simple practices that have consistently proven to be the most helpful, and I keep coming back to them:

1. A Solitary Space

Jesus said, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6 )

Perhaps the most impacting thing you can do to maximize your devotions is to find that quiet spot, at the right time, when you can be alone with God and your thoughts.

I was so blessed last year when Alli surprised me with a La-Z-Boy recliner for Christmas. It sits in a far corner of our bedroom, and has become a sacred space for me. It’s provides enough comfort that it allows me to forget about my surroundings and be completely present in the moment.

By getting myself to that solitary space early in the morning, before the family are awake, I am virtually assured of the solitude I need.

Now, whether or not you have a La-Z-Boy, go around your home and find the most conducive spot you can, and plan the best time to get there.

TIP: If you’re going to rise early in the morning and have your devotional time first thing, start by drinking a large glass of water. Hydration is absolutely key to being most alert and productive. This  one tip can actually transform your quiet time.

2. Systematic Bible Reading

Whatever else you choose to include in your devotions, reading a portion of the Bible should always be a main pillar. Hearing other people’s thoughts about Scripture is fine, but it should be secondary to going to the source for yourself.

… and to get the most benefit, don’t jump around to random verses. Read systematically day-by-day.

There are loads of different reading plans available online. Here are a few popular ones:

• The Moody Church 3 Year Bible Reading Plan
• Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar
• 5 Day Bible Reading Plan

Or, download the YouVersion app to your favorite device. It’s totally free, and it has numerous Bible translations built right in, as well as many Bible reading plans. Once you select a plan, YouVersion will prompt you to read every day.

3. An Organic and Spontaneous Prayer Life

There are lots of different systems that people like to use for prayer. They’re designed to keep you focused and on track, and they can be good aids. I use a number of them from time to time myself …

• The Lord’s Prayer
• Tabernacle Prayer
• The “ACTS” Model
• The Hour That Changes the World

But I have learned that any “model” for prayer tends to become stale very quickly if you use it every day. I also know that vowing to pray for a certain length of time usually ends up in frustration and guilt.

I’ve found it generally more effective to set no regulations or boundaries, and to give myself permission from the outset to pray only for a few minutes, if that’s all that seems natural that day. It’s amazing, though, how prayer seems to flow so much more easily when I don’t feel “forced” to keep praying,

And I pray simply as thoughts are prompted to me in the moment, moving from one need to the next in a more natural or “organic” fashion. It’s in this free flow of prayer that I most often have the sense that God is leading me.

Finally, it’s important to understand that a life of prayer grows and develops over time. So, don’t be discouraged too early. Keep at it.

4. A Rich Outside Perspective

So, the Bible is going to be my main reading, but then I like to bring in another voice to inspire me with thoughts I might not have arrived at myself. Each year I select a different daily devotional book to read every day. I want it to be a strong Christian voice, with rich insights into Scripture. You really can’t go wrong with the classics:

• Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
• Our Daily Walk by F.B. Meyer
• Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

But there are also a few more recent writers who have produced good ones:

• New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
• A Pillar by Day by Jon Courson
• Taste and See by John Piper

[Scroll down to see the new devotional I’ve selected for 2019.]

5. A Simple Notebook

Notice I didn’t use the “J” word …

A lot of people find “journaling” a very helpful practice, and if that’s you … great! Knock yourself out. But there are a lot of us who find that the very word “journal” comes with a pressure to have to write something every day, and it becomes just another burden.

For myself, I buy a new moleskin each year and keep it handy to jot down notes from my reading and any thoughts I don’t want to forget. But I feel under NO compulsion to have to write anything at all. Still, by the end of the year my simple notebook seems to end up full, and I enjoy going back and reminding myself of the journey I’ve been on.

The Plan: My Daily Devotional Time for 2019

Okay, so here are the specifics of what I’m planning to use in my quiet times this year …

Bible Reading

I’m going to read through the Bible in the year, straight from Genesis to Revelation. The plan is about 3 chapters each day, and I’m managing it using my Logos 8 software (I have the app on all my devices).

Devotional Book

This year I’ll be reading “The Songs of Jesus” by Tim Keller. I’m super excited to be getting into this devotional for the first time. It’s based on the Psalms, and I just love Keller’s writing.

I have my moleskin ready, the recliner awaits in my quiet corner. Can’t wait.

What plans have YOU made for your 2019 devotions? Leave a comment below. Your ideas may inspire someone else.

• Enjoy this article? You might also like … “How to Have a Transformational Quiet Time.”

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