A daily devotional for men can be simple: about ten minutes, most days, in the same place. Spend that time reading a short Bible passage, praying, and choosing one concrete action for the day. Keep it small enough to survive busy weeks, and when you miss days, skip the guilt and start again with today.
This guide is for any man, whatever his church background, and it focuses on building the habit itself. If you are new to the Bible and wondering which book to read first or which translation to use, start with our guide on how to start reading the Bible.
A devotional, often called a quiet time, is regular time set aside to read Scripture and pray. The Upper Room describes doing devotions as spending time with God through Bible reading, other Christian reading and prayer, and says no single pattern works for everyone. The Navigators call a quiet time "just a tool to help you develop and deepen your relationship with God." It is not a test you pass or fail.
Jesus gave the habit its shape: "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there." (Mark 1:35, WEB). The Navigators draw three practical lessons from his example: choose a time, a place and a plan.
Start smaller than you think. The Upper Room suggests that beginners plan for about ten minutes rather than 30 or 45. The Navigators suggest starting with seven minutes a day and, after a few days, trying 15 to 20. Small is not second best. Kevin DeYoung, writing for Crossway, recalls that his own teenage routine of prayer, one Bible chapter and a short devotional reading took only 5 to 10 minutes, yet he calls it "a massive catalyst in helping me grow as a Christian."
This ten-minute version has three parts: Scripture, prayer and one action.
Settle (1 minute). Silence your phone, take a few slow breaths and pray one line, such as "Lord, open my heart to what I read." The Upper Room suggests quieting yourself like this before you read.
Read (4 minutes). Read one short passage, a paragraph or a single story, twice. Ask simple questions: Who is speaking? What is the main point? What does this show me about God? What does it ask of me today?
Pick one verse (1 minute). Choose the line that stands out most. The Navigators call this your "best verse" and suggest returning to it during the day. Copy it onto a card or into a phone note.
Pray (3 minutes). Use the ACTS pattern the Navigators teach: Adoration (praise God for who he is), Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication (ask for what you and others need). Pray by name for the people closest to you.
Choose one action (1 minute). "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves." (James 1:22, WEB). The Navigators call this step Commit: an attitude of the heart or a specific action you entrust to God. Write it as one sentence: "Today I will..."
Some examples of one action for the day:
Apologize for a sharp word from yesterday.
Text a friend who is going through a hard time.
Leave your phone in another room during dinner.
Do one job at home before anyone asks.
Pray for a coworker by name before a difficult meeting.
Thank someone at work for something specific they did.
Time. The Navigators say "Consistency is key, so pick a routine you can stick with," and suggest mornings, lunch or before bed. Tie it to something you already do every day, like your first coffee or parking at work.
Place. Pick a spot with few distractions. The Navigators mention your room, your car on a lunch break or a park bench. The Upper Room adds that a regular time and place can become a comforting rhythm.
Plan. Decide what you will read before you sit down, so the ten minutes go to God instead of to deciding. The Navigators suggest a Gospel, such as Mark for action or John for deep truths, and then Acts. If you follow the Catholic calendar, the USCCB publishes each day's Mass readings online, including a first reading, a psalm and a Gospel.
Kit. A Bible or Bible app, a pen and a small notebook are enough.
Use one notebook page a day with this simple layout:
Date and passage
Best verse
Prayer: one line each for praise, confession, thanks and requests
Today's one action
Did I do yesterday's action? Yes, no or partly
You will miss days. A late shift, a sick child or a trip will break the chain. What matters is how quickly you come back.
Drop the scorecard. DeYoung warns against making the minutes spent in daily devotions the measure of discipleship. He notes that the Bible says a lot about the "what," such as prayer and meditating on God's Word, but not a lot about the "how." On busy days, the Navigators put it simply: "Don't beat yourself up over it."
Start with today, not the backlog. Don't try to make up three missed days in one sitting. Read today's passage and move on.
Shrink it. On a hard day, do a two-minute version: one verse, one sentence of prayer, one action.
Move it. If your day breaks your usual pattern, the Upper Room suggests finding another time to read and reflect, or turning your mind to God in another way.
Use other ways in. DeYoung lists listening to sermons in the car, listening to the Bible while you walk, prayers before meals and at bedtime, and small-group Bible studies.
Bring a friend in. The Upper Room suggests asking a friend, co-worker or someone at church to become your devotions partner. A short daily text such as "Got your ten minutes in?" makes restarting easier.
Scripture, prayer and one action work whether you are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant or still exploring. Use the Bible translation your church uses, or any one you can read easily. Pray in your own words or use the prayers of your tradition. As the Upper Room puts it, the key is that "We just keep showing up, even when we don't particularly feel holy or loving or eager."
Ten minutes is a realistic start. The Upper Room suggests about ten minutes for beginners, and the Navigators suggest seven minutes, growing to 15 to 20. The Navigators also say there is no "correct" length.
A Gospel is a good first choice. The Navigators suggest Mark for action, John for deep truths, or Luke or Matthew for more detail, followed by Acts. Read a short section each day if time is tight.
No. Jesus prayed early in the morning in Mark 1:35, and a morning slot is harder for the day to crowd out, but the Navigators list mornings, lunch and before bed as options. Pick the time you can keep.
No. A Bible and a reading plan are enough. A devotional guide can help you choose readings, and the Upper Room mentions guides such as The Upper Room or Disciplines for extra reading alongside the Bible.
FORGED: Daily Bible for Men follows this same shape: a 90-day Bible plan with roughly ten-minute daily sessions that pair a challenge with a Scripture passage and prayer, plus a 3, 5 or 10-minute prayer timer. Day 1, the Bible Basics sessions and a daily verse are free, while Days 2 to 90 need a subscription or lifetime purchase. No account is required, and your progress, journal and prayer notes stay on your device.
Get FORGED free on the App Store
The Upper Room: How to Have a Daily Devotional Time (Mary Lou Redding)
Crossway: On the Crushing Guilt of Failing at Quiet Time (Kevin DeYoung)
Bible Gateway: Mark 1:35 and James 1:22 (World English Bible)