Enriching my devotional life

20 months ago, Lily and I moved from our home of 44 years to a condo. That meant much we owned had to be given away or discarded. Of my 3000 books, I reduced those to 750, but one I’ve kept with lingering attachment, my father‘s Bible. (Note where the text is marked and pages soiled, a part of the Bible he went to for preaching or reading.)

Which raises this question: How is my devotional life?

Over the years, I’ve been a bit sporadic. If we had known about ADHD when we were young, I’m sure mother would’ve had me tested. When I wake in the morning, and my feet hit the floor, I tend to be running. To take time for devotions is a challenge. So, over the years, I have found helps, guides, and techniques to hold me in relatively meaningful patterns of Bible study and prayer.

If you are like me, your devotional life can always do with fresh ideas. So, for 2026, here’s some, born from my daily rituals.

Prayer

I’ve been enabled by the Navigator’s format of ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. I divide up the allotted time into four periods.

Here is what they bring to me as I pray.

• Adoration: In adoring God, I come to know him better.

• Confession: Adoration helps me see better what needs confessing.

• Thanksgiving: I unabashedly thank him for everything that comes to mind.

• Supplication: That means I sit looking at my father, unapologetically pressing him on issues, matters, and needs of my concern. No holding back.

Bible study

These days, my plan is about 5 days a week (about 15 minutes) study through a book, taking a short section each day, reading it, then writing in my journal (up to 200 words) what I see in that text. Periodically, I read a commentary to keep me rooted in the history, grammar, and theology of the text.

Bookending the day

Morning: Devotions aren’t about doing specific Bible readings or having prayer; it’s being conscious that His Spirit is walking with us. So, to help my awareness, I begin (on the treadmill) listening to a morning devotional: about 12 minutes (and then pray for the list of people assigned to that day).

Night: Together we listen to a night devotional, about six minutes. This brings fresh insights at the beginning and close of the day, looking at the face of Jesus. (I use the Lectio 365 app.)

I’m working on memoirs, which takes me back into my journals, and reconstructing what I remember of the past. In this, I’m reminded of what Billy Graham said he wished he had done better, which I echo: I wish I had spent more time in knowing the Scriptures and in prayer.

Try fresh ways to enrich your devotional life, a reminder that the Lord is ever walking alongside.

Brian Stiller

Global Ambassador, the World Evangelical Alliance

January 2026