Devotional Designs

Remembering who God is and what God wants in our lives is a daily (ok. a moment by moment) activity. Trusting God and submitting ourselves to what God is doing in Jesus is an always fresh opportunity as well as a continually desperate need.
On this page you will find formats that help guide those daily decisions: recognition of God’s presence and activity, faith—confidence—belief in Jesus, asserting that God is King of the world and King of the heart.

Helpful Design: Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families from The Book of Common Prayer

This format will probably take 15-25 minutes.
Open each time of devotion with this prayer from Psalm 51:
Open my lips, O Lord…and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart, O God…and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence…and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again…and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Or based on the Common English Bible
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!
Please don’t throw me out of your presence; please don’t take your holy spirit away from me.
Return the joy of your salvation to me and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit receive the recognition, credit, and praise.
This is how it has always been since the beginning. This is how it is in this moment. This is how it will be. Amen.


Passages of the Bible to read today: use the ‘daily office lectionary’ in the Bible Plans list at esv.com or see the readings for today at http://www.crivoice.org/daily.html .

After the reading(s) respond:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

A period of silent reflection may follow.

Sing a song or say the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

In your own words pray…
On Mondays pray for those who are not Christians and for Christian Missionaries.
On Tuesdays pray for Christian education in the church (Sunday School, teaching in sermons, etc.) and for Christian schools and colleges.
On Wednesdays pray for family members, loved ones, and friends, and for the Church (the local church and the Church around the world).
On Thursdays pray for the poor, for stewardship (finances, time, gifts, and environment), and about world events (disasters, political leaders and decisions, etc.)
On Fridays begin to consciously prepare for Sunday worship services. Pray for yourself (check your attitude and heart, repent of sins, notice things that need to change, decide to change). Pray for the preparations for the service (the sermon, the music, the attitude).
On Fridays Include this prayer:
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, so that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
—“The Collect for Purity,” The Book of Common Prayer

You can take Saturday off or keep it simple. Use it for preparation and reflection again. Use the collect for purity again.

Conclude each time of prayer with The Lord’s Prayer and the closing “collect.”

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): Based on Two Different Translations
Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. [The kingdom, power, and glory are yours forever. Amen.]
      based on the Common English Bible

‘Our Father who is in heaven,Hallowed be Your name.‘Your kingdom come.Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
      based on the New American Standard Bible

The Collect
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

_________________________________________________________________________

Helpful Resource and Study Plan Options:

The Bible Project is providing an amazing collection of biblical study resources. Chose a series, book, or theme.

The Bible Project also has reading plans available on YouVersion. Here is the link to their Bible Ap.


_________________________________________________________________________

Helpful Plan #2:

ReflectingGod.com is an online devotional community with one common purpose – the pursuit to embrace Holy living. The goal of this ministry is to foster discussion about what it means to live a Holy life in the 21st century.