No statement, sentence or expression is more meaningful than when it comes straight from a person’s heart, especially when it is written accompanied with scriptural verse.
This realization might explain the impact that devotionals have made to countless Christians around the world. The most well-crafted devotional will not only speak to the inner workings of a person’s spiritual soul, but it may lead to growth in their relationship with God and direction in their walk with Christ.
Yet a devotional is more than just writing some encouraging words and scripture verses to match. A truly poignant, while also practical, devotional is one that builds upon a message of hope-filled love, and spiritual awareness of God’s love and presence in Christians’ lives.
If your writing mission this year is to create (and even self-publish) a moving devotional that could impart optimism in the same manner as renowned authors Sarah Young and Charles Swindoll, what must be determined first is what will be the main theme, or message, of the devotional.
Will the devotional be catered towards single mothers, men on-the-go or just daily celebration of the blessings God has bestowed on you? The amount of devotional messages in your book can also be identified during this first brainstorming session, such as whether it should be a 365-day devotional, or more or less.
Once your theme or main idea has been set, the focus can then be on each individual devotional and what the primary design of each devotional will be. What will speak to your selected audience most and fit their lifestyles? You can figure out if the content of each devotional should be general statements, personal stories of the author and/or scripture with the author’s commentary.
If you are writing a daily devotional, following one style may be the best approach to take so your work is more focused on the content instead of the quantity or arrangement.
Another factor to consider is whether your readers will be more stirred spiritually by devotional verbiage that is stated from the perspective of God, Jesus or from the author him/herself.
The placement of scripture verses and prayer statements are important to consider while crafting the devotional and deciding what will grab your readers right away; this will send them off with a more positive outlook on the day.
Devotionals are more than just touching antidotes for the normal day-to-day issues; they can transform the reader’s life and change their whole mindset towards who God is in their existence. You, the author, can be part of that transformation with a well-executed devotional that develops the reader into the Christian God created them to be inside out.
