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Writing Devotionals
“I experience more than I understand," a friend said, attributing that statement to John Calvin. I would add, "And we understand those
experiences when we reflect on them." One way to reflect on them is to write about them in what we call the devotional format.
Writing devotionals, however, is more than understanding our experiences. It's also an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to use our life
experiences to touch others so they can perceive divine grace at work.
Writing about our lives pushes us to reflect on events and determine their significance for us and for our readers. We give readers
courage, hope, and the inspiration to say, “Yes, I can overcome my problems.”
Devotionals that appear in These Days, Upper Room ,
Open Windows,
and Our Daily
are short pieces of about 200 words.
Don't think only of magazines. I've written about twenty books that are devotional in nature, but only eight of them carry the word
devotions as part of the title. My book, Committed But Flawed: Seeking Fresh Ways to Grow Spiritually
(AMG Publishers, 2004), isn't a devotional book, but the chapters are short, each ends with a prayer, and many readers use them for
devotional reading.
Characteristics
The personal dimension is central to this kind of writing. It is based on experience—personal or third person. The personal dimension
means readers need to identify with the material. The experience has to be different enough that it's not one we've read fifty times.
They may be fairly ordinary events from which we have learned an invaluable lesson. From that experience, we show the universal aspects.
The deeper we can look inward, the greater our universal impact and the more readers identify with us.
Devotionals aren't sermons on paper, lectures, essays, and certainly not authoritarian explanations on how to live. Instead, the short
mediations enable readers to connect their lives with God. As people reflect and see divine interventions, they can more fully grasp God
at work.
With only 200 words (about two pages, double-spaced), we can't expect to delve into deep truths. We can, however, suggest ways for
readers to examine their commitment to God.
How To Write The Devotional Articles
Until we tackle them, we don't realize how difficult devotional articles are to write. In the 1980s, I wrote devotionals for a variety of magazines. They don't pay much ($10 to $25), but I loved the discipline. I couldn't use extra words, limp phrases, or repetitions. Every word had to justify itself. I often started with 600 words and had to delete two-thirds of the text and still retain the heart of the material. I loved the discipline.
Who Reads Devotionals?
We aim for Christians who will spend up to five minutes to get their inspirational jolt for the day. Some have criticized them for
spending so little time. I've responded with, "Be thankful they want to spend any time on spiritual issues."
Devotional Formats
This is formula writing, but we have latitude within the guidelines. We can choose to write in first person or third. We build around
an anecdote from which we draw a spiritual lesson: retell a Bible story, a familiar phrase, motto, synopsis of a story or poem to
expand, or comment on a misstatement. I once wrote a series of devotionals about words children heard incorrectly. One of them was the
child who prayed to Howard (as in "Howard be thy name.")
They aren't clever stories with a Bible verse tacked on. Instead, we seek to integrate stories that make Scripture more alive. We
choose topics with which readers identify—often small, everyday happenings. One series in These Days was about the small things that
irritated the writer. In the series of seven, she ended each reading by showing that small irritants are symptomatic of many bigger
issues we tend to ignore.
We strive to make the message relevant. We can talk about an experience in World War II or an event from the War of 1812, but they must
have meaning for today. A good friend wrote a devotional article centered on The Count of Monte Cristo.
He showed that although revenge inflames us to action, only love satisfies.
Perhaps I don't need to write this, but devotionals are true stories. They stress emotions and human reactions. It's the principle
expressed in 1 John 1:3 "We declare to you what we have seen and heard…" (NRSV).
Too often writers want to preach, but devotionals usually carry a sharing tone. Think of two friends talking and one says, "I'd like to
tell you an invaluable lesson I learned last week." That's the tone.
Lack of preaching also means we avoid words that demand or lay guilt on readers such as should, ought, and must. And we steer away from
absolutes such as always, ever, and never.
How To Write Them
First, look at the requirements of each devotional publisher. Do they taken electronic submissions or only hard copy? Some publishers
use the Lectionary,
or they select a biblical book for an entire issue. Some use only the NRSV Bible.
The rule: Follow their guidelines. (You can find guidelines online, by contacting the publisher, or in Sally Stuart's annual Christian Writers' Market Guide.)
Second, have a single focus—one idea. Here's the method I use when I'm not sure. I ask myself, "What one noun best describes the
material?" Is it forgiveness? compassion? commitment? That word is the focus. Then I ask, "Have I written anything that detracts from
that single theme?" That's when I delete extraneous words.
Third, have a takeaway value. Every devotional needs to answer this question: "So what?"
Benefits To Writers
This is a good place to make first sales. It’s an opportunity to polish writings skills, and it reinforces our commitment to send in
material regularly. Some of us work for months or years on larger projects and we need small successes to encourage us. We can write
devotionals in a relatively short time.
Learn more on writing devotions.
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About The Author:
Cecil ("Cec') Murphey has written, co-written, or ghostwritten more than 100 books, including the best sellers
90 Minutes in Heaven and Gifted Hands.
You can reach him at CecilMurphey.com
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