Are you a busy Mom who struggles to find time for devotions?

We need Jesus and love Jesus, and yet when it comes down to it, it can feel really hard to make time for Bible reading and prayer.

Our days are busy. Our plates are full.

And we feel guilty.

Why is it so hard to make time for what’s most important to us?

I think it’s possible to have a consistent quiet time as a busy Mom, but perhaps we need to look at some things differently. Perhaps we need some inspiration and encouragement.

So here we go.

Here are 9 Tips to have a consistent quiet time as a busy Mom.

1. Start small.

We sometimes think that if we can’t commit an hour to spending time with God, it doesn’t count. We think we have to do all the things or that it has to look like it has in other seasons. If we used to spend more time with God when we were in high school or college or before we had kids, we think we’re failing if we don’t do that now.

Here is your encouragement that you can start small.

Small still counts.

If you can manage 5 minutes, do that. If you find it’s easier to read the Bible on your phone when you have moments to spare, go for it. If you can only manage a simple prayer for wisdom or strength, offer it.

God is not looking for grand performance. In fact, just the opposite. He wants us to recognize our need, and he sees our desire. He understands the season you’re in, and He loves you.

Begin small. Just begin.

2. Read a book of the Bible.

Pick a book of the Bible and read a section or chapter every day. This way you’ll get some context for what you’re reading, and you’ll always know where to pick up next time!

Some people like to start in Genesis and read the Bible from start to finish. Others might like to jump around from book to book. Perhaps keep a list of what books you’ve read. Explore both Old Testament and New. Remember how this book fits into the big Gospel story.

3. Connect with God.

Remember that spending time with God is JUST THAT – spending time with a person. We can easily slip into making it a to-do, and while it’s important to be faithful with it, it’s not a chore to be ticked off. It’s a real relationship to be nurtured.

We show up and connect. We pour out our hearts to him.

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

4. Schedule it.

Decide when you are going to connect with Jesus. Perhaps your toddler still naps. Perhaps you have time after they go to bed. Maybe you want to get up 10 minutes before they do in the morning.

Schedule when you are going to pause and intentionally connect with Jesus. Prioritize this, and if it still doesn’t happen then, you can find another time, but at least you have a plan in place.

5. Create a habit.

Once you have scheduled when you will connect with God and started small doing so, repeat it again tomorrow. Habits are powerful, either for good or bad. We as humans have a lot of them!

But a beautiful thing happens when we use this pattern for good. When we make what’s most important to us a habit, we live our lives more intentionally.

6. Rest in God.

God is our refuge, our safe place, and as tired Moms, we get to rest in Him.

Spending time with God is not a work we do in our own strength. It’s going to him to gain HIS strength. It’s showing up weak and tired and letting him love us and fill us.

If you feel exhausted and spent, I’d encourage you to spend even 5 minutes giving your worries to God. Then, take a nap. By doing this, you’ll not only rest physically, you’ll rest in your heart.

We can learn different things about God in different seasons of life, and perhaps in this season it’s time to taste more of his grace when we don’t have much to give, his sovereignty over the cares of our hearts, and his presence in those moments in which we linger at his feet.

7. Don’t try to earn his love.

God cares more about the position of our heart than the number of minutes we spend reading Scripture. While it’s vital to stay in prayer and in the Word, remember that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love.

In fact, when we try, we are not living in line with the Gospel.

Jesus lived perfectly in our place. He died for our sin and rose in victory. His record is counted to us, and we who have put our faith in Him, are without fault in his sight. We don’t have to keep trying to earn what’s already been freely given to us.

Let’s live like it!

8. Pray for greater desire.

If you are struggling to WANT to spend time with God, pray for a greater desire for Jesus and His Word.

God is the one who gives us a desire for himself.

Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

God also promises that He will give us what we ask for when it is line with his will.

1 John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Ask God for a renewed hunger for Him. That is something HE wants for you too.

9. Get inspiration.

After praying for a deeper desire for Jesus, find fellow Christians with whom you can fellowship and learn from. When we see others pursuing Jesus, it encourages us to do the same!

Find a local church. Get together with a few Jesus-loving Mom friends. Start following some solid Bible teachers online. Get inspired, and then run to Jesus together.

I hope this encourages you, Mama. It can be hard to prioritize intentionally spending time with Jesus, and yet He is our everything. While it sometimes feels challenging to make time for Bible reading and prayer, we can’t afford NOT to. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just go to Him. Tell Him your worries and joys. Read His Word. And rest in His love for you.

FAQ about Devotions:

Do you have to spend time with God in the morning? Or does it matter what time of day?

It doesn’t matter WHEN you spend time with God. There is nothing more spiritual about doing it in the morning.

Spend time with Jesus whenever you can! Find a time where you won’t get interrupted and when you have the energy to engage with Him and His Word.

Where should I start reading in the Bible?

If you are new to Bible reading, I’d recommend starting in John. There you will learn about the life of Jesus and what He came to do.

If you have read the Bible before, I’d recommend starting where you feel most interested. Pray about it, and then pick a book of the Bible. Don’t overthink it, but I would recommend keeping track of where you read so that you can branch out to different books of the Bible over time.

What if I don’t feel God when I spend time with Him?

Spending time with Jesus isn’t about feeling God. When we pray and read His Word, we are connecting with a person, and like in any relationship, we won’t always feel super close. But we foster our relationship by spending time together and growing in our knowledge and love for the other person.

What if I don’t get anything out of my quiet time?

The goal of Bible reading and prayer isn’t about what we can get out of it, although we do reap so many benefits! Spending time with Jesus is a way we are obedient and show our love for Him. It’s a way we walk by the Spirit and set our minds on the things of the Spirit. And all of these things WILL help us live for Jesus and produce good fruit.