Building Better Devotionsಮಾದರಿ

Everyday Devotion

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” [1]

Brother Lawrence never went viral…until his letters were posthumously published and read millions of times.

Lawrence was a 17th-century Parisian monk who spent much of his time in the monastery kitchen. What’s remarkable is that he reported being as connected to God while washing pans as he was when “doing his devotions.”

For many years of my Christian life, I practiced devotions and other Christian disciplines, but I noticed that I rarely thought of God outside of those deliberate times. God wasn’t a conversation partner, and I didn’t live as if He was “with me always” (see Matthew 28:20).

Enter Brother Lawrence.

His work prompted me to begin consciously recalling my mind to God’s presence throughout the day and attempting to turn whatever I was doing into an act of love for God.

I am so grateful for how my life shifted after I took on Lawrence as a teacher.

The point of devotions is a devoted life.

A devoted life isn’t simply a life lived for God; it’s a life lived with God.

It is a mix of “praying without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “aspiring to live quietly (while attending) to your own matters” (1 Thessalonians 4:11), and putting the gifts and talents entrusted to you to work for God (Luke 19:11-27).

A healthy marriage between faith and daily life occurs.

I lead a men’s “Rule of Life” community. Many of us have set alarms to go off every few hours to recall our minds and hearts to God. The alarms remind us to enter into whatever work we’re doing with and for God.

This isn’t a miracle cure, but those who persevere live far more consistently with and for God.

As you consider your devotional rhythms, consider what will help you live all of your life with and for God. You don’t necessarily need to set prayer alarms, but what will you do? Which habits and rhythms of life will help turn chores, sidelines, waiting at medical appointments, work, and family dinners into times you live for and with God?

“Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17)

Prayer: Lord, as I enter my day, keep me mindful of Your presence and receive everything I do as an act of worship. Amen.

Reflection: What will help you remember God’s presence throughout your day and offer whatever you are doing to Him? Think creatively about this. Who could you meet with? What reminders could you use? How might your approach to chores or relationships shift if you consider them a time when God is present, and a time where whatever you are doing can be an act of devotion to Him? [2]

[1] The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

[2] Every Good Endeavour by Tim Keller is a great book on how to integrate faith and work. Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren is an excellent reflection on how each part of an ordinary day is an invitation to the devoted life we’re discussing this week.