Kirstyn Mayden

Devotional time is a focused, intentional quiet time that is set aside to spend with God through prayer, reading/studying Scripture, or journal writing. Devotional time can include many different methods of connecting with God that include singing, writing, meditating, and/or listening to Christian worship music. There is no one “right” way to spend your devotional time with God – it is most important that we just come.

We come to God just as we are as broken vessels looking to be filled and empowered by His presence. Amidst our daily, busy lives and routines, it is essential that we commit to strengthening and prioritizing our time with God. 

When I spend consistent, uninterrupted devotional time with the Lord, my mind is renewed, God speaks to me through His word, and I am strengthened to start my day. For a brief moment, I quiet my soul and surrender my burdens to the Lord. Throughout the year, cultivating our relationship with the Lord is important and summer is a great season to renew a consistent devotional practice.

Summer has longer days, more outdoor time, and presents a creative opportunity to strengthen your devotional time with the Lord. Here are six ways to strengthen your devotional time in the summer:

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As I mature and navigate various life seasons, I recognize that it is important to get creative in how I spend time with God, study His Word, and grow in Him. God is diverse and dynamic, and He invites us to worship Him and seek His Word in fresh ways!

In a season of high anxiety, global wars, and political uncertainty, it's easy to become overwhelmed, discouraged, and disillusioned. With daily individual demands and ongoing worldwide challenges, our minds are often overloaded with thoughts, to-do lists, and feelings of hopelessness. While we desire to remain hopeful, it is easy to become discouraged. Whenever my mind is on overload or I'm feeling out of control, I pause to connect with God to receive His peace. 

Journaling has always helped me share my unfiltered thoughts with God, and God always speaks. When I don't have the words to say verbally, writing has always lifted my spirit and soothed my soul. I have journals from years ago that I read and remember how God has answered prayers, gaining confirmation that God was always with me. 

When you feel discouraged with your circumstances or try to process the world's massive challenges, God's Word says don't lose heart. Be encouraged that God is with you and wants to strengthen and uplift your spirit. 

Here are six creative journaling prompts to encourage your spirit:

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While the holidays invite us to be joyous, it is difficult when we are grieving. When we may not feel like singing “Emmanuel,” the good news is that God is still with us and there is still a reason to rejoice.

When we feel discouraged, God’s Word encourages and uplifts our minds and spirits, reminding us that we are not alone, and that God is the lifter of our souls. When we are discouraged, reading and reconnecting with God’s promises in the Bible is essential.

God continues to lead, guide, and strengthen us during whatever season of motherhood we are in. We are equipped with all we need to live out our specific assignment as mothers. Whether you are nursing a newborn, reading with a preschooler, carpooling an elementary student, navigating the teen and college years, or enjoying your empty nest season, God is present with you and is for you every step of the way.

While we are often busy and consumed with making sure we have everything in order, it is easy to neglect cultivating or maintaining our relationship with God. God wants us to draw closer to Him and invite His presence into our lives to worship, praise and give thanks to Him.

Despite the mental and emotional toll that the news takes at times, there still is hope. God is sovereign and calls us to continue to put our hope and trust in Him.

While God has called each of us for a unique purpose, burnout is real and we want to make sure that we are being filled up. God wants us to live whole, abundant lives (John 10:10) and not to simply survive.

Whether you are currently dealing with seasonal depression or have done so in the past, there is good news! God is present with you and you are not alone. There are numerous opportunities, and resources to support you in moving forward and finding community.

God’s grace and mercy are always available to us, but we often struggle to receive them fully in our daily lives. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve—His unearned favor, blessings, and strength. Mercy, on the other hand, is God withholding what we do deserve—His judgment and punishment. Though different, they work together to reflect God’s deep love for us, even when we fall short.

No one is perfect; we all stumble and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Mistakes happen, but through His grace and mercy, God invites us to get up, learn, grow, and draw closer to Him. Instead of condemning us, He strengthens us to move forward.

Yet, so often, we’re our own harshest critics. We hold ourselves to unrealistic expectations, beat ourselves up over failures, and try to handle everything on our own strength. We forget that God’s grace is not something we earn—it’s a free and precious gift. His mercy reminds us that He is patient, loving, and always ready to lift us when we fall.

If you’ve been overly critical of yourself or struggling to accept God’s amazing grace and mercy, here are five uplifting reasons to receive them fully today:

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Navigating unexpected circumstances can be challenging, but we don’t have to go through them alone. If you are facing an unexpected new move, illness, job loss, strained relationship, or change of course, don’t lose heart. God will cover you and provide you with peace when you don’t see the way forward.

We all worry and have daily anxieties that keep us up at night. However, there is good news today. God is with us when we worry.

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Life gets busy fast, and despite our best hopes and efforts, sometimes we get wrapped up in other things and begin to feel far from God. When you find yourself in this season, take heart! God is always ready to welcome you back as you seek Him! Try one of these five ways to reconnect with Him when you've been feeling distant.