Are daily devotions biblical?

[Jedidiah]

I tend to talk to God all day long as I go about my business. I consider that a type of nonstop prayer.

That I can buy, I do the same.

[Jedidiah]

On what in particular do you base this opinion?

Just personal belief. I am unable to do more than maintain an attitude of prayer while concentrating on anything else (even that is not even close to 24 hours a day, or even all my waking hours).

[Jedidiah]

How can you pray while asleep? Or pooping?

God knows I poop. He created me to do that now and again. Does not bother Him.

[Obsidian]

The idea of reading a devotional book is extra-biblical at best, unbiblical at worst. The idea of praying frequently and reading the Bible frequently are both very biblical.

Deuteronomy 17:18-19
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them[.]

I agree that "without ceasing" means frequently, not continuously.

[NorrinRadd]

I'm going to play devil's advocate a little here and say that there is no biblical support for the practice of setting aside some time early in the morning to pray, read your Bible and read a devotional text ('Daily Bread', 'Manna' or whatever). A 'daily devotion' or a 'quiet time'. Unbiblical. It's a guilt trip, a burden laid on people.

Give me your best case for why Christians should have daily devotions.

It is extra-Biblical.

Practically speaking, this is one of those things that can easily slip from a helpful discipline to either a merit badge or a burdensome guilt-trip.

I have no case for either "should" or "should not."

[MaxVel]

In the same sense that the Bible never talks about the Bible (as non-Protestants love to point out), yes. But it's worth nothing that Jesus took quiet time on his own.

It's hard to know if that was a regular (daily?) thing or not. Here are the references that I've tracked down so far. If anyone has any to add, please do so.


A: Matthew 14:13 Jesus goes to a deserted place after hearing of John the Baptist's execution.

B: Mark 1:35 Parallel with Luke 4:42

C: Mark 6:45-46 After feeding the five thousand, Jesus goes up a mountain to pray. Parallel with Matthew 14:23

D: Mark 14:32-34 In the garden of Gethsemane

E: Luke 5:16

F: Luke 6:12 Prior to calling the 12 disciples

G: Luke 9:18 Probably a parallel to Mark 6:45-46 Jesus was 'praying alone' with His disciples present.

H: John 6:15 Probably a parallel to Mark 6:45-46


Counting C, G and H as one, that's only six different references to Jesus having anything like a 'quiet time'.

A and D are Jesus seeking communion with the Father in a time of mental and spiritual crisis.

F is Jesus seeking the Father's advice in choosing the inner circle of disciples.

C is Jesus seeking a 'spiritual recharge' after a busy time of service, B is arguably the same.

We're left with only Luke 5:16 as something that might be akin to our present practice of Daily devotions.

That said, I'm not against the practice, but I do feel that it's extra biblical rather than something mandated. Clearly Jesus expected us to pray alone with God on a regular basis, and we are enjoined to read and study the Scriptures.

[MaxVel]

I take your 'daily devotion' and raise you 'praying 24 hours a day.'

1 Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

OK. I do talk to God a fair bit in the course of a day. Does it matter if I don't do that on a formal basis, first thing in the morning? If so, why?

[MaxVel]

Even introverts spend time with those they love.

Do you love God? Then spend some time with Him.

I spend all day every day with God. If I don't have a specific devotional time, am I not spending time with God? Or am I doing it wrong?

[MaxVel]

The idea of reading a devotional book is extra-biblical at best, unbiblical at worst. The idea of praying frequently and reading the Bible frequently are both very biblical.

Deuteronomy 17:18-19
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them[.]

I agree that "without ceasing" means frequently, not continuously.

That was a helpful post, thanks. It reminded me of a passage from Psalm 119:

11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You.*12* Blessed are You, O Jehovah; teach me Your Precepts.*13* With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.*14* I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.*15* I will think on Your Commandments and have respect to Your ways.*16* I will delight myself in Your Precepts; I will not forget Your Word.*

[MaxVel]

It is extra-Biblical.

Practically speaking, this is one of those things that can easily slip from a helpful discipline to either a merit badge or a burdensome guilt-trip.

I have no case for either "should" or "should not."

Very insightful. I think I waver between merit badge and guilt trip a lot.

[Sparko]

OK. I do talk to God a fair bit in the course of a day. Does it matter if I don't do that on a formal basis, first thing in the morning? If so, why?

My thought is that God knows every thought you have, so he is "listening in" at all times.

[Sparko]

If you want to have a daily devotion, or a weekly one, or a time of day to meditate, they are all ways to worship God. Since worshiping God is biblical, so are devotionals.

[One Bad Pig]

Just personal belief. I am unable to do more than maintain an attitude of prayer while concentrating on anything else (even that is not even close to 24 hours a day, or even all my waking hours).

It is rare for people to be able to do that, but it is possible.

[One Bad Pig]

I spend all day every day with God.

Consciously?

If I don't have a specific devotional time, am I not spending time with God? Or am I doing it wrong?

You can spend any time with God. It doesn't have to be a set time, but most people find it helps.