Ideas for Writing Devotions

by Crystal Bowman

Whether you write for children, teens, adults, fiction or nonfiction, most Christian writers have the opportunity to write a devotion. It may be for an online site, a magazine, a church event, contribution to a compilation of devotions, or your own book of devotions. And when it comes to writing a devotion—ideas are everywhere!

Here are a few examples from my personal experience:

Ah-ha Moments

When I was raising little ones, I always checked on them an hour or so after putting them to bed. One evening, as I peeked into my son’s bedroom, I noticed that I had forgotten to close the drapes. A full moon was right outside his window, casting a beam of light onto the bed where his little two-year-old body was sleeping peacefully. 

Psalm 121:5-6, (NIV) came to my mind: The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

I incorporated this sweet moment into a devotion for mothers of young children. 

Mistakes Happen

I could no longer ignore the three overripe bananas on my kitchen counter. I mashed them in a bowl and blended ingredients to make a loaf of banana bread. As the bread baked, a tantalizing aroma permeated the kitchen. When the timer buzzed, I opened the oven to find a flat lump of banana paste. After re-reading the recipe, I realized I had forgotten to add a teaspoon of baking powder. My efforts were useless, and the banana paste ended up in the trash. 

First Corinthians 13, the love chapter, reminds us that we can do many wonderful things, but if we do not have love, we accomplish nothing. Love is the key ingredient in serving others, just like baking powder is a key ingredient in banana bread. 

I wrote a devotion titled, “The Missing Ingredient.” 

Humble Yourself

One evening, after speaking at a mother-daughter banquet, I was encouraged by the long line of mothers, daughters, and grandmothers who wanted to purchase my books and have me sign them. “They loved me!” I thought as my head began to swell. When a young girl handed me a fistful of books, the woman behind her said, “I told her she could get whatever she wanted.” I smiled at the girl and said, “That must be your grandma.” The woman replied, “I’m her mother.” 

Proverbs 16:18 (NIRV) came to my mind: If you are proud, you will be destroyed. If you are proud, you will fall.

I wrote a devotion titled, “That Must Be Your Grandma.” 

A God Moment

My mother lived to be 97 years old. In her final years, she used a walker to keep her from falling. One morning as she sat in her chair writing in her journal, her pen ran out of ink. Without thinking, she walked to the next room to get a pen from her desk. When she realized she had forgotten to use her walker, she froze, not knowing what to do. It would be hours before someone came to check on her. So she reached her hand toward the ceiling and prayed, “Dear God, please walk me back to my chair.” She then felt a warm, strong hand hold her hand to guide her safely back to her chair. 

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) says, For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

This story turned into a devotion for Arise Daily.

In Conclusion

Writing devotions provides an opportunity for writers to apply spiritual truths to everyday life, and to share that truth with others. When we observe the world around us and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our hearts and minds, we can hold onto God’s hand as he guides us on our writing journey. 

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Ideas for Writing Devotions from author Crystal Bowman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and families. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine, Arise Daily, and Christian Children's Authors. She enjoys coaching children's writers as well as teaching at writers conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she likes going for walks and spending time with her huggable grandkids. She and her husband live in Michigan and Florida and try to avoid snowstorms.

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