By Grace Thomas
Does your family struggle with developing spiritual routines? My family has, especially as we navigate life with a newborn and toddler.
Just like regular rhythms can help us, spiritual routines can provide a lifeline in busy times, anchor us, and streamline our days.
So, how can we develop spiritual routines when life is hard?
Spiritual Routines When Life’s Chaotic
Here are five routines to try when your family is struggling to create or prioritize spiritual rhythms:
1 – Prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2 HCSB
Obeying this verse and devoting ourselves to prayer requires intentionality. At the end of a long day, my son regularly reminds us of this at mealtimes.
“Pray, Daddy, pray!” My toddler sits in his highchair with his blue bib and reaches for my hand. We smile at him and pray for the food.
Although he’s under the age of two, he already has a sense of routine and rhythms. Routines benefit him. He knows what to expect and builds a habit of prayer and communion with God.
Just like we dedicate ourselves to earthly relationships, we want to regularly pray and talk to God.
We routinely pray together because we want to grow and model a relationship with Christ to our children.
Even Christ prioritized prayer during hard seasons (Mk 1:35). Christ prayed because He loved the Father and wanted to connect with Him. We can follow His example and pursue God in hectic and calm moments through spiritual routines.
Do we make consistent appointments with Christ or give Him the crumbs of our leftover time?
Although regular prayer can seem daunting, we can incorporate prayer into existing activities like praying at the gas station, on a walk, or getting ready.
How can you incorporate prayer into your existing routines?
2 – Scripture Memory
“I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.” – Psalm 119:11 HCSB
When I was younger, I memorized songs and verses with ease. As an adult, it seems hard to memorize just one verse, but I’m seeing the value in meditating on God’s Word instead of the world’s.
When we walk through hard times, we can meditate on God’s truths for support.
One way to practice Scripture memory is to recite verses in the car. Often, my toddler repeats a word or phrase after me. We want to hide and treasure God’s words in our hearts (Ps 119:11). Memorizing Scripture helps us recall truth in challenging circumstances.
We also enjoy reflecting on the Word by listening to Scripture set to music. My son loves listening to music like Steve Green’s album, “Hide Them in Your Heart.”
How can your family prioritize verse memorization and treasuring God’s words?
3 – Hospitality
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17 HCSB
We can learn from others when we invite them over, or visit them and see how they develop spiritual routines.
Our family strives to host someone at least once a month—whether it’s a simple bowl of chili or a more elaborate meal. Regardless of the menu, having a date on the calendar keeps our family and others accountable for a time of fellowship about spiritual, family, or other matters.
I’ve learned a lot by entering someone’s home and seeing a chore chart, organized calendar, or family devotions.
We can learn rhythms from others when we gather together.
Who could you invite over this month to strengthen your spiritual disciplines? Perhaps an older couple could provide timely advice.
Consider how your home can become a place to learn and encourage others about spiritual rhythms.
4 – Screen-free Time
“Life is fleeting, like a passing mist. It is like trying to catch hold of a breath.” – Ecclesiastes 1:2a HCSB
My attention is often split between the digital world and the present, but rhythms help eliminate distractions. Constant notifications and looming tasks deter me. Taking an hour or more each day to turn off my phone is life-giving.
Ecclesiastes tells us time is fleeting, unlike the algorithm that sucks us in and keeps us scrolling.
When we’re tempted to spend time for our own means, we can remember that our time belongs to the Lord and honor Him with our choices.
Let’s find a friend to hold us accountable for screen-time, remembering how life is fleeting. Take time to minimize online distractions and pursue intentional activities.
How can you trade screen time for in-person connection and develop regular routines of unplugging and interacting with the world around you?
5 – Weekly Sabbath
“God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.” – Genesis 2:3 HCSB
Rest doesn’t mean doing nothing. We can look forward to weekly sabbaths as a time to recharge.
After a long week, our family enjoys unwinding together and practicing the Sabbath, or intentional rest. We enjoy life-giving activities together, like walking around the farmer’s market, playing games, or calling family members.
Throughout Scripture, Jesus withdraws from the crowds to be with His Father (Lk 5:16).
Similarly, our family takes breaks from chores and responsibilities to connect with each other and the Father.
The Lord took a day of sabbath after six days of creation to set an example for us. Weekly sabbaths help us develop spiritual routines by providing time to reevaluate priorities.
Are we following His example?
Benefiting From Spiritual Routines
Spiritual disciplines aren’t our salvation, but they can lead to our sanctification by giving us structure to our hours, days, and lives. Routines provide a framework for what to focus on instead of searching for the next thing to do.
We can embrace routines knowing the motivation isn’t perfection but growth.
Routines don’t have to be legalistic; they can be freeing.
How can we implement this into our day-to-day lives? Let’s talk to our family and discuss what routines could help us in difficult times.
Even if we miss a day, week, or month, God is ready and eager to meet us. He wants us to draw near to Him, and He promises to draw near to us as we pursue Him (Jas 4:8).
Routines provide structure, but God gives growth.
Grace Thomas
Grace Thomas is a Christ-follower, wife, and mother. When she’s not playing with her kids, she serves at her church, and enjoys living in sunny California. Connect with her on her blog or Instagram.
