There are thousands of daily devotionals – apps, books, and podcasts – all based on a practice of daily spending time with God. Millions of Christians worldwide have some form of daily quiet time, in a rhythm well established across most denominations. But where did it come from and what does the Bible say about daily devotionals?
Funnily enough, the Bible doesn’t really say anything specific about daily devotions, except by analogy. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “give us each day our daily bread” and we have to come, just as we eat daily – three times a day. The Lord’s Prayer doesn’t teach us to ask for weekly bread – this is a daily request, to return to each day.
‘This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
The early church therefore learned a rhythm of praying at least three times a day; usually morning, noon, and night. Later on, a lot of the monastic practises expanded it to maybe seven times a day.
The Bible also hints at a daily devotionals as an important practice through the Old Testament.
In Job, Job speaks about hearing God as being a daily practice. He describes his relationship as going from his ears having heard of God, to his eyes seeing God (Job 42).
When Daniel was in exile, he used to pray three times a day in front of an open window, at a time when this was banned in Babylon.
“Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
And all across the Old Testament, there are references to a practice of daily devotion to God – in the Israelite’s journey through the wilderness, we read that they would bring a sacrifice daily.
The Lord said to Moses, ‘Give this command to the Israelites and say to them: “Make sure that you present to me at the appointed time my food offerings, as an aroma pleasing to me.” Say to them: “This is the food offering you are to present to the Lord: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight…
Numbers 28:1-4 (NIVUK)
So the idea of daily being in touch with God and receiving His word and being fed on the bread of Scripture is something that been found through experience to be a practice that feeds us and that enables us to hear God and to be in touch with Him constantly.
Throughout the Bible, we see people following a daily practice of dedicating themselves to God, from the Israelites led by Moses, through to Jesus instructing his disciples.
The early church continued this tradition, uniting around daily prayer which helped the church to grow worldwide.
Lectio 365 is based around this daily rhythm of prayer, with 3 times of prayer every day that invites you to pause in the presence of God and create space to pray morning, noon and night.
You can try the practice of daily devotionals, and explore some of our previous devotionals. The Lectio 365 app is free to download and use on iOS and Android with daily devotionals with Bible readings and prayers to help you experience God’s presence in your life.
