Christians, When you don't have time for devotions?

Question

Christians, when you don't have time for devotions every day, how do you keep yourself from stagnating spiritually?

(I know that we SHOULD be doing devotions every day, but sometimes it's not always possible due to time constraints).

Markos, if you reread this question, you will see that I said NOTHING about praying 5 times a day. Devotions is something very different and is related to the Christian faith.

People who say you always have time for devotions, please walk a mile in the moccasins of other people before you cast judgment on a person. We may all have 24 hours per day, but when our 24 hours is highly booked, it's not always easy to find time.

Answer 1

...one of the best feeling and joy is to pray somewhere quiet and really pour our hearts our to God , nothing helps the soul of man better than a one on one talk with our God, by praying to God we find peace and answers to our sorrows and needs, we want miss a meal , but we will miss our time to pray. how hurt God must be when we refuse to pray to him and seek his will, how can we live when the blood of life in our bodies stops flowing , how can we live spiritual lives when we refuse to pray to our loving God , who commends all men to pray and lift up holy hands toward him. prayer is the most important thing that one could do , and so often we neglect this vital thing praying...

Answer 2

I already know I will be bombarded with "thumbs-down" clicks, but thats OK. The answer for me is the Rosary, even if I have to pray it while commuting.

The Rosary is nothing more than contemplative prayer focusing on the major life events of Jesus Christ. Its the "Prayer of the Gospels" and it works.

P.S. There are many other very good suggestions here I also agree with and do. If I'm not in the Rosary I also have Contemporary Christian music or my Audio Bible playing in the CD player. It is a matter of setting your priorities.

I heard a story a while back I'm sure a lot of you have heard. It goes like this: If there is a "Good" wolf and a "Bad" wolf fighting to see who will get your soul, which one will win? Answer: "The One You Feed"

Answer 3

Truthfully, there is always time for devotions. That we don't set aside that time every day has more to do with our priorities. For example, we choose sleep. I've learned that if I get up earlier, however early that needs to be, and spend time with God, I have the energy I need to make it through the day--even on very little sleep. That doesn't mean that it's easy for me to push myself out of bed, however. I have to do it on faith every time.

If you don't set aside that time regularly, you will soon stagnate. It's also important to talk to God all throughout the day, just as you would talk to a friend, about all the things that concern you, excite you, trouble you, etc.

I encourage you to carve at the time either late into the evening or early in the morning. A friend of mine tithes his time. He determines how long his next day will be and gives God 10% right off the top. Sometimes that means getting up very early in the morning. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm working in that direction, and seeing God bless me in amazing ways.

Blessings.

Answer 4

Definitely a good question...I myself being a Catholic find it very important to find time in my daily life to take a moment and reflect.
I have a lot of little worship books (found at almost all bookstores) and you can find any kind you'd like (Ex: 5 min. Devotionals, 60 sec. Devotionals, etc.).
If I find myself stressed out or out of control during the day I'll just close my eyes and talk to Jesus by myself. Maybe even keep a special reminder, such as a prayer card for example, in your pocket or wallet. When I feel blessed (at meal times or when things are going well) I just close my eyes and think, "Jesus, thank You..." and its really as simple as that. If you believe and devote yourself to it and contemplate (whether its 30 seconds to 30 MINUTES...) thats a devotional :]

Answer 5

well, if you look at it this way, then maybe you'll feel a little more at ease...

devotions is basically taking time out to spend time with God....you don't have to read the Bible to be having devotions...it can be anything you do to spend time with God...i would just say, read the Bible and study it when you have time...when you don't, just pray when you're stuck in traffic...have little reminders up around your office or on the things that you look at the most...

it's kinda like when you don't have time to sit down and eat a full meal...you take a to-go cup (with most of the same nutrients) of something...you still get a meal...not as good of a one when you sit down and eat a full meal, but it's better than nothing, right?

Answer 6

You have mistaken Christians for Muslims, it is the Muslims who have to pray 5 times every day.
Salvation -- Islam is a religion of works. One obtains favor with Allah by performing the five pillars of the faith:

- Reciting the creed that there is one god, Allah, and his prophet is Muhammad.

- Praying five times a day toward Mecca.

- Giving alms to the poor. Fasting from sunrise to sunset one month a year the month of Ramadan.

- Making a pilgrimage to Mecca. Another way to reach Paradise is to die fighting for Allah (verse 3:157 of the Koran).

You have mistaken Christians for Muslims I am afraid (Christians are not ordered by God to pray five times a day).

Answer 7

I have a difficult time if I go too long without being in the Scriptures, Wednesday night church helps alot too, being in the middle of the week. I try to read some every morning, even if it is just one scripture so I can think about it all day!

Answer 8

I used to have time constraints...then I began getting up 1/2 hour earlier.

If that's not a possibility...get an audio Bible in which ever translation you prefer. I love the New Century Version (translation.) I can hear it on the go.

Works for me. :o)
Peace be with you.

Answer 9

I usually listen to Christian music as I feel listening to Christian music can be good devotions as the songs have a good messages about different things. These songs also remind me of things of God.

Answer 10

ive been trying to spend more time praying and reading the Word but have difficulty finding time. I try praying quick little prayers in the short times i have between things like in the car. also try listening to christian music on your radio, iPod, cd player.