How to Write A Great Devotional Thought

.

We’re so excited to begin pursuing this option of writing our own church-wide devotions from the experiences of our own congregation.  In thinking of how to help you write a great devotional thought, we’ve started with a practical list of ideas that can help you get started.

We all have questions about how to write a good devotional. Remember to just write down the things that the Lord has blessed you with or shown to you through your own devotional or quiet time or through your daily life. The Lord may show something to you not only when you are having your own quiet time but at any time during your day. Just look for the Lord in things around you and you’ll be amazed at the spiritual lessons that God is teaching us through the little things and sometimes the big things in our lives.

We are currently accepting submissions for a Franklin First UMC Devotional to highlight our core values of Prayer and Presence. As you think about your devotional thought, keeps these overall themes in mind.  When you’re ready to submit…just click the link to the right.

Submit My Devotional Thought

Has God ever answered your prayer?

Jesus said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14) We have all been touched by God at times in our lives by His answer to our prayers. The answers often do not come as we would expect; however, as Jesus declared, they do come! Knowing that He answers prayers provides a power of tremendous hope when going through difficult and challenging seasons of life.

Will you help give hope to others in need of God’s presence and power by sharing a time when God answered a prayer of YOURS? Your submission will be considered for a church-wide, daily devotional revealing the power of God through our own prayers.

Tips for Writing a Devotional

Just as Jesus taught his disciples through stories (what we call parables), your own stories offer inspiration and hope. Following is a practical list of ideas that can help you get started.

  1. Pray – Ask God to remind you of a time He answered a prayer of yours, one that will touch others through your sharing it.
  2. Accept – Whatever God reveals to you, go with it. No prayer is too small or big for God to listen and answer. You could have been running a race or exercising and asking for the strength to endure…and you got it. You could have asked for peaceful resolution to a difficult situation…and it happened. Or, you may have asked for healing…and you, or someone you love, was healed. Whatever your story is, it carries with it the power of hope.
  3. Scripture – Is there a scripture that relates to your story? If nothing comes to mind, search your Bible for inspiration. If all else fails, Google it! If God has a scripture in mind to reveal, it will hit you when you read it.
  4. Theme – Is there one idea, one thought that you would like to impress upon the reader of your devotional story? If so, keep this in mind as you are writing. If not, ask God what He would like give others through your story.
  5. Follow a basic format for writing…
    • Beginning – What was going on in your life that prompted you to prayr
    • Prayer – What specifically did you pray for and why?
    • Middle – What things happened around the thing you prayed for? What was the ultimate result? Did it turn out how you expected or different?
    • Conclusion – What did you learn and/or what is a final note that you’d like to leave with your audience?
  6. Proof-read – Once you’ve completed the writing, read it over, or have someone else read it, for clarity.
  7. Submit! You can do this through the church web site or by emailing…(Jody)

Thank you for allowing your story to touch the lives of others in our church family!