Your words have the power to uplift, inspire, and draw people closer to God.
Writing a devotional is more than just putting words on paper—it’s about sharing your faith, offering encouragement, and helping others develop a deeper relationship with God. Whether you’re writing for personal reflection, a small group, or a global audience, a devotional book can be a powerful tool for spiritual transformation.
So, how do you write a devotional that truly resonates with readers? Let’s break it down step by step.
Define Your Purpose
Before you start writing, ask yourself:
- Who is this devotional for? Is it for new believers, seasoned Christians, or people going through a specific challenge (grief, waiting seasons, personal growth, etc.)?
- What message do I want to share? Do you want to focus on faith, perseverance, gratitude, healing, or another spiritual theme?
- How long will it be? Will it be a 30-day, 60-day, or 365-day devotional?
Having clarity on your purpose helps you stay focused and ensures your devotional serves a meaningful purpose.
Choose a Central Theme
Every devotional needs a theme that ties it all together. Some popular themes include:
- Faith in difficult times – Encouraging readers to trust God through trials.
- Spiritual growth – Helping readers deepen their walk with God.
- Daily wisdom – Sharing scriptural insights for everyday life.
- Gratitude and joy – Focusing on thankfulness and contentment.
- Waiting on God – Encouraging patience and trust in divine timing.
Pick a theme that aligns with your heart and the message God has placed in you.
Structure Your Devotional Entries
A devotional typically follows a simple but powerful format:
- Scripture Passage – Begin with a Bible verse that sets the foundation for the day’s message.
- Reflection – Share a personal insight, story, or teaching related to the verse.
- Application – Encourage the reader to apply the lesson to their life.
- Prayer – End with a short, heartfelt prayer.
- Action Step (Optional) – Provide a journal prompt or a challenge to reflect on.
Here’s an example of a devotional entry:
Day 1: Trusting God in Uncertain Times
Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
Reflection:
Life often presents moments when we don’t have all the answers. Maybe you’re waiting on a job opportunity, praying for healing, or seeking direction. In those seasons, it’s easy to rely on our own understanding, but God calls us to trust Him completely.
Application:
Ask yourself today: Am I truly surrendering my worries to God, or am I trying to figure everything out on my own? Spend time in prayer, releasing your burdens to Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to trust You even when I don’t understand the full picture. Give me peace and confidence in Your plan. Amen.
Make It Personal and Relatable
Readers connect deeply with devotionals that feel personal and real. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences—your struggles, lessons learned, and testimonies. People relate to authenticity, not perfection.
- Share stories of faith that illustrate the message.
- Use conversational language that makes readers feel like they’re talking to a friend.
- Keep it simple and heartfelt—complex theology isn’t necessary.
Stay Rooted in Scripture
A devotional is more than just an inspirational book; it should be grounded in God’s Word.
- Use scripture as the foundation of each entry.
- Interpret verses accurately—study their context before writing.
- Encourage readers to read the Bible for themselves, not just rely on your words.
Plan a Writing Schedule
Writing a devotional requires consistency. To stay on track:
- Decide how many days your devotional will have.
- Set a daily or weekly writing goal (e.g., one devotional per day).
- Use a content calendar to organize your themes and scriptures.
If you’re writing a 30-day devotional, aim to write at least one entry per day. If you’re doing a 365-day devotional, break it into smaller goals (e.g., writing 10-15 devotionals per week).
Edit and Refine Your Work
Once you finish writing, take time to revise. Look for:
- Clarity – Does each devotional flow smoothly?
- Spiritual depth – Is the message biblically sound and impactful?
- Grammar and readability – Does it sound natural and free of errors?
Consider having a pastor, mentor, or fellow believer review your work for feedback.
Self-Publishing or Traditional Publishing?
Once your devotional is complete, you’ll need to decide how to publish it:
- Self-Publishing (Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, etc.) – Gives you full control and faster publishing.
- Traditional Publishing – Requires submitting to Christian publishers but offers wider distribution.
- Print or Digital? – You can create a print version, eBook, or even an email devotional series.
Share and Market Your Devotional
Writing is just the first step—next, you need to get your devotional into the hands of readers.
- Start a blog or email list to share sample devotionals.
- Use social media to post short devotional excerpts.
- Offer a free devotional series as a lead magnet to build an audience.
- Speak at churches or online events to promote your book.
The more you share your devotional, the more lives it will touch.
Final Thoughts
Writing a devotional is an incredible way to share your faith and encourage others in their walk with God. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being obedient to the message God has placed in your heart.
So, what’s stopping you? Start writing today, one devotional at a time. You never know whose life your words will change.
What theme would you choose for your devotional? Drop a comment and let’s discuss!