7 Spiritual Habits to Do Every Monday, to Focus Your Week on Christ

Writer

Published September 06, 2024

While Sunday is the start of the week, especially for Christians, Monday is often the day where people really have to lock into their tasks, start problem-solving, and deal with the realities of the week. It is easy to focus on Christ on the Sabbath, as it is a day set aside to rest and develop one’s relationship with the Savior. However, our relationship with Christ is the most important one anyone will have, and it requires daily nurturing. Building some habits on Monday to start off the week focused on the Lord is one way to grow that relationship deeper and stronger. Every day can be a day to draw closer to the Lord, even the one that is commonly voted the worst day of the week.

These seven habits can be incorporated into the believer’s Monday routine, to make sure they start the week focused on the Lord. You can try one or two of them, or all of them. See what best fits your schedule.

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1. Have Certain Topics to Pray Over Every Monday

There are some prayer requests that take time to be answered, and so they need to be lifted up to the Lord regularly. Sometimes there are also pressing needs that weigh heavy on our hearts at the start of the week. Maybe these come from work, school, personal issues, or relationship dynamics.

Having certain topics, people, or issues to be praying over on select days of the week can help ensure we don’t forget to pray for important topics and they don’t get lost in the business of life. Monday topics can be work, someone’s illness, school, friends, and world affairs – whatever is personal and important to you.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

2. Meditate on the Lessons from Sunday’s Sermon

It can be easy to listen to a sermon and not absorb it. The Bible encourages us to meditate on God’s Word, and the book of Acts records how the early church would gather regularly to talk about the things of God. While on a Monday morning a believer today may have to go to work, focus on tasks at home, or go to school, we can still carve out time throughout the day to reflect on the sermon from the day before. Talk about it with friends or family, or review any notes you may have taken.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

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3. Make a List of That Week’s Tasks, and Pray for God’s Help with Them

This habit is both practical and spiritual, as it invites the Lord to be a help, not just in big spiritual problems, but in the daily ins and outs of life. Whatever tasks need to get accomplished that week, ask the Lord to support the efforts, to bless them, and to guide you. The Lord promises He is with those who love Him at all times, and that includes in the mundane tasks of life, in secular work, and in the little things. Relying on God is a sure way to be in His will, and to find burdens less difficult to carry.

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life” (Psalm 54:4).

4. Pick a Verse or Passage to Memorize during the Week

It can be difficult to memorize Scripture, especially when modern schedules keep us going all the time and social media serves as a distraction during periods of relaxation. Having one verse or one small passage that is the object of study for the week can be a good way to learn more of the Bible, to grow closer to God, and to have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures.

Monday is a great day to sit down and pick a verse or section of the Bible to learn that week, and then start the process of memorizing. Some people need to repeat it out loud, while others need to copy it. Find whatever works best for you, but starting on Monday and having seven days to practice the verse can help you truly meditate on the meaning and the message.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

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5. Reach Out to Friends or Family for Prayer Requests

Christians should pray for others. For the nonbeliever, we should pray for their salvation, for their health, and for the working of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes a nonbeliever is open to a Christian friend praying for them, and so reaching out and asking if there’s any way we can be praying for them can be an opportunity to minister to them, and even share the gospel.

Christians should also lift up each other, and should weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Touching base with family and friends on Sunday night or on Monday to see if there is anything where they would appreciate prayer support is a way to strengthen those relationships, and to follow Christ’s example.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:9-12).

6. Choose a Worship Song of the Week

Worship is an important part of the Christian life; it is not always manifested in music, but it is a common, even universal, way believers praise God. If there is a particular song God is laying on your heart, one that is speaking to your life circumstances, or even if you are just interested in expanding your catalogue of worship songs, picking a song to focus on that week can help you learn more about God and draw closer to Him.

Pick a song on Monday, listen to it every day (though maybe not all day every day), and look up the words. Maybe research the history of the song, as it may be inspirational or give you insight to deepen its meeting.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” (Psalm 95:6).

7. Pray for God to Lead You to Someone Who Needs to Hear the Gospel

Jesus wants everyone to repent of their sins, put their faith in Him, and receive the gift of eternal life. Once someone does so and becomes a Christian, part of their journey is to share the good news of salvation with others who are lost and in darkness. While not every Christian is going to find someone every day (or even every week) with whom they can share the Gospel, being on the lookout and praying for God to lead puts the believer in the will of God. It also conforms them more greatly to the image of Christ, who is always knocking on the door of the hearts of people, waiting for them to receive Him.

“’For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:13-14).

Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important decision that someone can make, and nurturing it is an important part of their journey of sanctification. Just because it is Monday doesn’t mean Jesus isn’t reaching out, wanting to spend time with the people who love Him. He is also reaching out to the people who are still His enemies and have not put their faith in Him as Lord and Savior. While Mondays may be busy, there is always a way to connect with God, and to make Christ the center of life.

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.