Spiritual Discipline • The Big 10
Prayer & Bible Reading — Building the Habit
My father-in-law was in Christian ministry for seventy years. He went to Africa at twenty-two with almost nothing. He preached around the world. He shaped leaders, he prophesied over nations, he appeared on television with Pat Robertson. But when he would come stay with us in his later years, I noticed something simple: every single morning, no matter what, he had his Bible open. Not because he had to preach. Just because that was his life. It was the thing he knew he needed.
If I had to choose one thing — one single practice — that I believe will make the biggest difference in your walk with God, it would be this: a daily time with Him. Every morning, before the noise of the day rushes in. A time to worship and thank God. A time to read your Bible. A time to pray and listen.
I know what you're thinking. Life is complicated. Life is busy. Some mornings it feels impossible. I hear you. If you miss a day — hey, everybody has to go turkey hunting sometime. Don't beat yourself up. Just get back on track the next morning. The goal is not perfection; the goal is consistency over time.
The Bible is not just a history book. It is not just a self-help guide. It is God's book — sixty-six books written over approximately two thousand years by forty-four different authors, all pointing to one consistent message confirmed by archaeology and history. When you read it, God speaks to you. I believe that Bible reading is the number one way the Holy Spirit communicates with us. Everything else — dreams, impressions, spiritual gifts — we interpret through the grid of Scripture.
Here's what a simple daily devotion time can look like:
1. Worship/Gratitude (5 minutes): Start by thanking God. Tell Him what you're grateful for. Put on a worship song if that helps you.
2. Read the Bible (10–20 minutes): Work through a book of the Bible, or follow a reading plan. Don't worry about understanding everything at first — just read. God will highlight what you need.
3. Pray and Listen (5–10 minutes): Bring your needs to God. Pray for the people in your life. Then be quiet for a moment and listen. God speaks to those who make space to hear.
We have a free church app with built-in Bible reading plans — including our Proverbs Challenge (31 chapters in January) and a Romans reading plan. Download it today.
Next Step: Start tomorrow. Set your alarm five minutes earlier than usual. Open your Bible to the Gospel of John and read one chapter. It's that simple. And then do it again the next day.