Let's agree to define the standard devotional time as a quiet time which includes Bible reading, prayer, worship and intercession. It may include a prayer list and a Bible reading plan. I certainly have nothing against this as it has benefitted many people.

I have NOT had such a devotional approach for at least the last 35 years, if not longer. I do something different.

I get up in the morning and tune to flow, and do what flow directs me to. I know that the flow within me is the River of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 7:37-39) and so I let Him lead in the love relationship and the communication which comes forth. I do the same thing with my wife in the morning. I give her a hug and tell her that I love her and whatever conversation transpires is that which is right for the moment we are living in. 

The different directions we may go in are detailed in this Spirit-Led Prayer Organizer, which overviews 40 different ways I have learned to interact successfully with my divine lover and receive His grace. I have used them all at different times, and remain open to using any of them the Spirit brings to my attention on any given day. Of course, He is not limited to only these 40, but these are ones I have used effectively so far in my life.

This means my devotional time is varied, interactive and designed to meet the exact point of need in my heart and God’s hearts. This is perfect for me, and is what I believe God desires.

This all kind of came to a head recently as I was on the phone with a gentleman who has a great need of healing in his life and wanted counseling. I suggested our training on how to hear God's voice and prayers that heal the heart as a place to get started. He agreed these were perfect but could not find the time to fit them in.

I recommended he listen to streaming audio during his one-hour train commute to work. He said that he used that time for his devotions. I suggested to him that if he would use these training modules during his devotional time, this would make his devotional times perfect as this would be providing God's healing touch to the exact areas of his life which needed it. He agreed, and decided to switch.

Make your devotional times living encounters with Almighty God

So I offer to you this suggestion: Let your devotional times be times of actual encounter with Almighty God, and let God lead in selecting what should be covered during these times, so that exactly what you need is exactly what you get, and the effectiveness of your prayer time is maximized.

And I would suggest that reviewing the 40 different ways God has taught me to pray and receive His grace would not be a bad place to start. If you know the multiple ways God's grace can be received and applied in your life, and draw upon these, you work out your salvation is varied and magnificent ways.

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13).