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I tend to forget about God throughout my day. I’ll have a quiet time, but then I get so busy and focused on what I’m trying to accomplish that I forget to invite God to participate in the rest of my day. I don’t ask Him how I should prioritize my time, and I get stressed out because I don’t feel His presence in the chaos. So, I have been trying to get more creative about inviting God into my day. One of the ways I’ve been doing this is through habit stacking. Habit stacking is when you add a new habit during or after a current working habit. For example, I brush my teeth every night. I never forget. So I started memorizing scripture while I brush my teeth. The more I do it, the more natural it becomes to memorize scripture while I brush my teeth.
I’ve also been using time cues to do things as well. My daughter wakes me to nurse her, so I have a 20 minute period every night where I’m stuck in a chair nursing. Rather than scrolling on my phone, I do a short devotional book from one of my women’s groups.
I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite ways you can invite God into your day. I organized them based on when I would likely do them, but get creative and add these activities to any part of your day!
Invite God into Your Morning
The morning tends to set the tone for the rest of our day. Here are some ways you can connect with God to start your day off in a good direction:
When you first get up
1. Do a quick devotional before you get distracted on your phone. I recommend a devotional book like “Awaken” by Priscilla Shirer or a devotional app on your phone like the First Five app from Proverbs 31 Ministries, the Our Daily Bread app, or a devotional or reading plan from the YouVersion Bible app.
2. Read a letter from yourself. If you struggle with nightmares and have a hard time grounding yourself when you wake up, write a wake up letter that reminds you of the truths of God’s word. Read it to yourself first thing in the morning.
While you shower
3. Listen to worship music to keep your mind from wandering or stressing about your to-do list.
4. Pray and surrender your day to God. I heard about a pastor who wouldn’t get out of the shower every morning until he had gotten right with God. You probably can’t stay in the shower indefinitely, but you can take the time to surrender your day and confess anything you have been keeping from Him.
While making your coffee
This is a lost few minutes of time. We typically start our coffee makers and walk away. Instead, try to…
5. Listen to the Morning Mindset podcast by Carey Green. This podcast is about 5-6 minutes long and is published every morning. It’s a simple devotional that is great for grounding yourself in the morning.
6. Read the Pour Over. If you like reading the news, try subscribing to this non-partisan news email that includes Christian perspectives on current events. They send an email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the emails take about six minutes to read. It’s a great way to keep up with the news without feeling like you’re drowning in it.
While you brush your teeth
7. Read through or memorize encouraging scriptures to prepare for your day. I recommend Psalm 139 or Ephesians 6:10-18.
On your way to work
8. Pray for your co-workers by name.
As you work
9. Listen to worship music if you are able. You can try instrumental worship if lyrics distract you or bother others.
10. Fill your workspace with reminders of God’s goodness. Verses, pictures, and symbols like crosses will help keep you focused on God throughout the day and remind you to invite Him into your work. I keep my word of the year close by my workspace :)
Invite God into Your Afternoon
This is when our work tends to pick up and we usually get tired. Keep yourself focused on God with these helpful habits!
During your lunch
11. Make a gratitude list. Write down all the things you’re grateful for so far today to remind you of how God has already been showing up.
12. Resubmit your day to God in prayer. Ask for forgiveness for the ways you’ve strayed from His intentions for your day. Thank Him for second chances and choose specific ways you will aim to improve during the rest of the day.
13. Read a book. If you are eating alone, read some Christian literature. For fiction, try a book by Ted Dekker like “Black”, or read through the Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. If you like self-help books, try “The Finishing School” by Valerie Woerner or “Finish” by Jon Acuff. And if you like spiritual formation, I recommend “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer or “The Me I Want to Be” by John Ortberg.
As you run errands
14. Pray for the people you’re interacting with. After you leave the store, pray for the cashier. Pray for the barista that handed you your coffee. When you go to pick up your kids, pray for them before you get them.
15. Check in with God. That time alone in the car between errands can be very valuable for checking in with God. Take a few minutes to work through the ACTS prayer method (A-adore God, C-confess your sins, T-thank God for what He has done, S-supplication-pray for your needs and the needs of others).
Invite God into Your Evening
As the day winds down, we can be so focused on the finish line we don’t see God working around us. Slow down and try to connect with God and the people around you.
While you eat dinner
16. Share Decaf with your kids. No, I don’t mean actual coffee. The writers of The Pour Over choose one story every week to write at a 5-6th grade level. The email includes thought provoking questions and encourages children to look at current events through a Biblical perspective.
17. Ask about highs and lows. Talk to the people you eat with about their highs and lows for the day. Ask how they saw God working and how they invited Him into their day.
While cleaning up dinner
18. Go through your prayer list. Grab your Prayer list and a worship playlist and pray through your prayer requests as you listen to the music.
During your workout
19. Listen to an upbeat worship Playlist, audiobook or Christian podcast. If you’re looking for a Christian podcast that will make you smile, I recommend Back Porch Theology by Lisa Harper.
Invite God into Your Bedtime Routine
This is a good time to revisit some of the practices you’ve been including in your day already. For example, finish your gratitude list from lunchtime (no. 11) or read or memorize a Bible passage while you brush your teeth (no. 7).
As you lay down to sleep
20. Pray as you fall asleep to help you keep your mind from wandering.
21. Listen to a sleep story. The Abide app has great Christian sleep stories for you to listen to while you fall asleep.
What other things can you do to invite God into your day? I would love to hear what you do! Comment below or send me an email at brigette@brigettehenry.com or message me here. Enjoy your time with God!
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