The Bible often tells us to pray, assuming that God’s people will be familiar with the Scriptures and share their truths with their children. Meeting a mature and fruitful Christian typically involves a “quiet time,” a dedicated space for prayer and reading the Word.
However, there’s a misconception that Christianity is exclusively for the super-disciplined early risers who have impeccably organized lives. While spiritual disciplines like daily devotions, family worship, and quiet times serve us well, they can turn burdensome when we use them to quantify our spiritual standing or toiling for God’s approval.
We don’t find an explicit command for daily devotions in the Bible, but it’s assumed. Scripture commands us to pray, with Jesus often retreating for private prayer and godly figures like Daniel setting a precedent of praying consistently.
In the Psalms, we see meditation on God’s Word as a regular habit. Furthermore, Timothy’s example of reading Scripture emphasizes the importance of engaging with the Word daily. The Bible also encourages parents to instruct their children in the way of the Lord.
However, when it comes to daily devotions, the Bible provides the “what” but not the “how.” While personal spiritual disciplines, like daily devotions, are crucial, there are numerous other ways to engage with God’s Word and maintain an active prayer life. The Lord cares more about the quality and purpose of our prayers than the minutes we spend on them. Like a marriage, our relationship with God requires intentionality, but it doesn’t demand strict regimentation.
The same principle applies to evangelism. Although the Bible stresses the importance of sharing the Gospel, there isn’t a plethora of verses directly commanding individual Christians to do so. Instead, the New Testament urges readiness to explain our faith, to make the Gospel attractive through godly living, and to be concerned for the lost.
While the Great Commission was primarily given to the apostles, it extends to the church, and every believer has a role to play. However, God never intended evangelism to be the sole defining characteristic of Christian life. A relentless focus on evangelism can lead to feelings of inadequacy and an unending sense of “not enough.”
We must remember that God has created each of us uniquely, and evangelism may look different for everyone. While some may be preachers or missionaries, others may excel in hospitality, writing, or conversation. Our role is to ensure that the Gospel, which has transformed our lives, flows out of us in a way that aligns with our God-given gifts and opportunities.
In conclusion, our Christian journey involves prayer, daily devotions, and evangelism, but these are not to be burdening or legalistic. The Bible provides the “what” and encourages us to find the “how” that suits our unique calling and gifts. God desires our heartfelt, genuine engagement with Him and our willingness to participate in His mission, rather than a mechanical adherence to religious routines.
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