Devotionals are the most accessible and popular of the Bible-related books that, like commentaries and studies, encircle the scripture like planets orbiting the sun. Religion publishers are constantly bringing new approaches and themes to the general devotional format—a Bible passage, a meditation or reflection by an author, and a prayer or a prompt for thought—to keep people reaching for these titles to focus their mind on God, deepen their faith, or comfort them in stressful times.
Theologian Hanna Reichel's For Such a Time as This! An Emergency Devotional (Eerdmans, Sept.) recognizes that readers may be weighed down by anger, fear, and stress "in an era of political polarization, eroding democratic norms, and rising authoritarianism," according to the publisher. Reichel's chapters connect scripture's imperatives and today's demands for action with headings such as "'Get Thee Behind Me, Satan' or Get Out of Yourself" and "'Stand Where God Stands' or Protect the Weak."
Devotional writer and pastor Brian Loritts connects moments of grace, past and present, with his reflections for Grace to Overcome: 31 Devotions on God's Work Through Black History (IVP, out now). "These meditations on key figures and moments from Black history shed light on how God is at work in our lives and stories," says associate editorial director for trade books Al Hsu. "Readers will discover how grace is embodied in the particularity of history in surprising ways across many fields and disciplines."
Universal Cares, Global Voices
Not every devotional writer comes with the credentials of a scholar and pastor. The Upper Room, the Nashville-based publishing house that last month celebrated 90 years of publishing daily devotionals, is known for drawing its devotional reflections from submissions by ordinary people from around the world. These are offered to 1.5 million subscribers in print booklets six times a year and daily online. Lindsay Gray, executive director for Upper Room devotional editions, wades through 4,00 to 5,000 submissions to choose 365 each year to be translated and published by 43 publishing partners into 32 different languages.
The submissions reflect the universal experiences of seeking the companionship of God in times of love, grief, confusion, or danger, Gray says, noting that people often offer their reflections on a psalm or choose passages from Romans about the good news of the gospel. In recent times of turmoil, with wars abroad and civil tensions at home, she's seen a run of suggested devotions citing King Hezekiah, a Hebrew Bible hero in 2 Kings who faithfully trusted in God's protection when his people were under siege.
Gray knows how deeply personal devotions can be for reader. She shares a story of a woman who submitted a devotional meditation about feeling unworthy all her life. Finally, through faith, "she claimed her identity as a beloved child of God, and to remind herself of this, she had the word 'Enough' tattooed on her wrist," Gray recalls. After the woman's devotional meditation was published, "We got a letter from a woman in her seventies, who had been in an abusive relationship," Gray continues. "She had read that meditation and found it so powerful that she got the same 'Enough' tattoo. These kinds of stories remind me how powerful 200 or 300 words can be to someone, how they can foster a sense of connection."
Devotionals also bring forward some unusual experiences of faith. In Imagine the God of Heaven Devotional: 60 Reflections on the Heart of God from the Bible and Near-Death Experiences (Tyndale Elevate, Oct.), John and Kathy Burke interviewed scores of people who shared reflections on near-death encounters with a welcoming, personal God. "These stories serve as wonderful starting points to discuss God and the Bible for people in today’s culture," says Jon Farrar, associate publisher for nonfiction for Tyndale Momentum. "They are vivid pictures that point to larger truths, found in Scripture. In the devotional, John and Kathy work at connecting these stories to the truths that they point to."
Another devotional writer, Courtney Ellis, brings people down to earth with her uplifting messages. In The UnDevotional: Spiritual Practices for Those Who are Over It (Broadleaf, 2027), the pastor and author suggests readers stand outside for 10 minutes and remember Matthew 6:26: "Look at the birds of the air," which are cared for by God. "Ellis wants readers to realize we experience God not only through the written word but, she writes, we have this 'sensory buffet' in the natural world," Valerie Weaver-Zercher, Broadleaf senior acquisition editor. "Her invitations to action as well as reflection break open the conventional devotional format."
Although a devotional's primary purpose is to be inspiring, encouraging, and Biblically enlightening, publishers also recognize the need to be pragmatic. Minister Ray Cummings's 60-day devotional Seven Minutes with Jesus for New Believers: Guidance for Your First Steps in Faith (Whitaker House, Jan), for example, aims to "jumpstart" newbies on taking the "essential steps after salvation, providing daily encouragement, biblical insights, and practical applications to deepen their relationship with Christ," according to the publisher.
Spiritual Guides that Say, ‘You Can Do This’
There's also a Bible-devotional combo, The CSB In His Grip Golfers Bible (Holman/Lifeway Christian Resources, Nov.), designed to fit into a golf bag, or anywhere else, if readers seek inspiration on or off the fairway. The devotional portion comes from golf teaching professional Scott Lehman, who calls himself the founder and CEO ("Chief Encouragement Officer") of a ministry to golfers.
And, as always, popular evangelical authors often extend their reach with devotionals. Thomas Nelson is releasing Let In the Light: 50 Devotions to Confidently Know God Is Good and Guiding Your Steps (Oct.) by a group of authors with Proverbs 31 Ministries, featuring a foreword by bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst. Meanwhile, Zondervan pairs famed Christian writer Philip Yancey with Brenda Quinn, author of numerous study guides for religion titles, for The Bible Revealed: A 365-Day Guided Journey Through God’s Word (Nov.), a collaboration that "unravels the complexities of Scripture, making every story resonate with today's challenges and opportunities," per the publisher.
Mary Wiley, associate publisher for B&H Publishing Group, the book publishing arm of Lifeway Christian Resources, knows why many people rely on devotionals rather than going straight to the Bible to help them along their day: "They are thinking, 'The Bible is too hard for me. I have no idea what all those books mean, and there are 66 of them. That's a lot!' They are really seeking a guide to say, 'You can do this!' "
So, for those timid readers, B&H this month released The Bible Is For You, A Devotional Journey Through Every Book of the Bible. It features a Bible passage and a reflection by the popular hosts of the daily Bible Reading podcast She Reads Truth, for each of the 66 books. The intent of authors Raechel Myers and Amanda Williams, Wiley says, "is to really help you apply it to your life, to show that it is an ancient truth that is for today at every turn."
