A devotional is one of the most approachable books a Christian writer can create. Each entry is short, the structure repeats, and readers come back to it every day. Below is a template you can copy for every entry, followed by a plan for writing a full 31-day devotional.
The devotional entry template
Copy this for every day. Most entries land between 300 and 600 words, short enough to read with a cup of coffee.
- 01Day __: [Title]: a short, memorable phrase
- 02Scripture: one to three verses, with the reference and translation
- 03Reflection: a story, observation or teaching that opens up the verse (250 to 450 words)
- 04Apply it: one concrete thing the reader can do or think about today
- 05Prayer: a short prayer in the reader's voice (three to six sentences)
- 06Going deeper (optional): a related passage or a journal question
Step 1: Choose one clear theme
The strongest devotionals promise one thing. "31 days of rest for weary mothers" is easier to write, and easier for a reader to choose, than "31 days of encouragement." Write your theme as a promise: by the end of this book, the reader will ___.
Step 2: Map all the days before writing any
Make a list of 31 titles and verses first. Group them into weeks so the book has movement. For example, week one names the struggle, week two looks at what Scripture says, week three practices something new, and the final days look ahead. Having the whole map means you never sit down wondering what to write.
Step 3: Pick your Scripture carefully
Read each verse in its full chapter before you build a day around it, so the devotional teaches what the passage actually means. Note which translation you quote. The King James Version is in the public domain in the United States, while most modern translations allow quoting within limits set by their publisher. Check the copyright page of the translation you use before publishing.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (KJV)
Step 4: Write in batches
Many devotional writers draft three to five entries in one sitting while they are in the voice of the book, then edit on a different day. Writing one entry per day is also fine. What matters is a rhythm you can keep for a month or two.
Step 5: Read it the way your reader will
When the draft is done, read one entry per day for a week, at the time of day your reader would. You will notice entries that run long, prayers that repeat themselves, and applications that are too vague to act on.
Common devotional mistakes
- Pulling a verse out of context to fit a point.
- Every entry sounding the same. Vary the openings: a story, a question, a scene, a single image.
- Applications that are too general ("trust God more") instead of something the reader can do today.
- Forgetting the reader is busy. If an entry cannot be read in five minutes, split it.