Sometimes your Bible app just isn’t cutting it anymore.
You open it. You scroll. You read a verse. Then you promptly forget what it said five seconds later because someone just tagged you in a meme. If you’re feeling spiritually stagnant—or just want something to deepen your connection with God beyond the Sunday morning haze—a solid devotional can help re-center you.
We’re not talking fluff. We’re talking legit, soul-nourishing, perspective-shifting reads that will challenge you, grow you and maybe even punch you in the gut a little (in the best way). Whether you’re rethinking your faith, building new rhythms or just tired of trying to pray with your eyes half-open in bed, these six devotionals are worth cracking open.
1. New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
“If God had not graced you with the law, you wouldn’t have sought the grace of the gospel. The law is a grace because it shows you your need for grace.”
If your idea of a devotional is overly sentimental and loaded with pastel floral art, New Morning Mercies is your wake-up call. Tripp doesn’t play around—he writes like a pastor who knows you’re two bad days away from giving up, and he’s here to tell you why grace still matters. Each daily entry hits like a mini sermon (but not in a judgmental way), pointing you straight to Jesus with a refreshing bluntness. Think of it as truth serum for your quiet time.
2. Be Still: 90 Devotions for the Hopeful Heart by Cleere Cherry Reaves
“He doesn’t need us to be impressive. He needs us to be present.”
For anyone who’s running on empty and spiritually overstimulated (so … all of us), this one feels like a breath of fresh air. With short, punchy reflections and beautiful design, Be Still is perfect for a few minutes of calm before the chaos of your day. It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to ease into a new rhythm of faith and focus—and it’s Instagrammable, if that helps.
3. My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
“God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.”
Yes, it’s more than 100 years old. No, it’s not out of date. Chambers brings the kind of depth that makes you want to read each entry twice—and then sit in silence wondering if you’ve ever actually trusted God. It’s not light reading, but that’s the point. This is for those ready to go deep, wrestle with big ideas and get uncomfortable in all the right ways.
4. Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God Is Holding You Close by Lysa TerKeurst
“God isn’t waiting on us to get our act together before He’s willing to fully love us. He’s just waiting on us to say yes.”
If you’re in a season where your spiritual life feels a little fragile, Embraced is like a comforting voice reminding you that God hasn’t bailed on you. TerKeurst writes with empathy, honesty and theological grounding, offering 100 devotions that don’t just encourage—they give you something solid to hold onto. It’s especially great for navigating uncertainty, loss or just plain burnout.
5. Live in Grace, Walk in Love by Bob Goff
“God isn’t wowed when we go across an ocean. He’s dazzled when we go across the street. Don’t wait. Go love everybody. Always.”
Goff basically radiates joy and chaos in equal measure, and this devotional captures both. It’s 365 days of stories, Scripture and challenges to live more boldly and love more extravagantly. Is it wildly optimistic? Yes. Is it also surprisingly convicting? Also yes. If you’re feeling stuck or cynical, this is the devotional equivalent of a triple-shot espresso with a side of grace.
6. The Awe of God by John Bevere
“The person who fears God trembles at His Word. The one who doesn’t fears everything else.”
If your spiritual life feels a little too comfortable lately, this one will mess you up—in the best possible way. Bevere dives deep into the idea that many of us have lost a holy reverence for God, and that reclaiming it is key to real transformation. It’s bold, convicting and refreshingly untrendy. Perfect for anyone craving a faith that feels less like a vibe and more like a calling. Each chapter includes reflection questions that push you to actually engage instead of just nodding and moving on.
Whether you’re looking for something that will shake you up or settle you down, these devotionals are more than just check-the-box quiet time material. They’re tools to help rebuild your soul’s foundation, one page at a time. So go ahead—ditch the scroll and crack one open. Your spirit will thank you.
