How to Write a Devotion

And Where to Get it Published

Anyone can write a devotion. Yes, that includes you!

If you're a nonfiction writer trying to get published, writing devotions is a great way to grow as a writer and build your platform. You don’t need an agent for devotion or article submissions. And often, your byline is included—great for exposure and credibility.

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What Is a Devotion?

A devotion is a short, focused reflection centered on:

• One Scripture

• One theme

• One takeaway

The goal of a devotion is to encourage spiritual growth, reflection, and a deeper relationship with God. Devotions can be inspirational, instructional, or convicting—but always grounded in biblical truth and God's love.

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How to Write a Devotion

1. Pray.
   Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and message.

2. Choose a Scripture.
   This will be the foundation of your devotion.

3. Follow this simple format:

🪝 Hook

Start with a story, a question, or a personal moment to draw your reader in. Make it relatable and real.

📖 Body

Connect your story to the Scripture. What’s the key spiritual point? What is God showing you (and the reader) through it?

✝️ Biblical Truth

Wrap up with a clear takeaway—something that invites the reader to reflect or act. This may comfort, challenge, or inspire.

🙏 Prayer

Include a short prayer that ties the message together and invites God to work in the reader’s heart.

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Tip:

Write with a specific publication in mind. Each one has its own word count, tone, and submission guidelines. Always review those before sending your work.

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Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

Devotion Example:

When Joy Takes Root

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
(Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)

Sometimes I find myself struggling to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Often, there’s a bit of self-loathing that happens when I read this verse. But, what if the fruit of the Spirit isn’t meant to happen instantaneously upon salvation?

Paul likens the characteristics of God’s Spirit to fruit because, like fruit, these qualities must grow over time. As believers, we don’t just wake up bursting with love, joy, and peace. The fruit of the Spirit matures within us through daily relationship with God. Joy—like all fruit—develops slowly, with care, pruning, and light.

Think of a tree. It begins in dormancy, its buds protected by a hard outer shell. This stage reminds me of the time before I had a deeper relationship with Jesus. Like a tree protecting itself from winter’s harshness, I hid pain behind thick emotional armor. I longed to be loved but kept nursing old wounds in silence.

Then comes light—sunshine breaking through. Buds swell. They burst. Growth responds to nurture. Joy, too, grows when we soak in God’s presence and His creation. He longs not only to give us joy but to grow it deeply within us.

Next come the blossoms—beautiful, fragrant, delicate. It’s tempting to remain here, in early joy. It’s pretty, even intoxicating. But if we stop there, we miss the fullness God has for us. He wants more than glimpses of joy—He wants to lead us into fruit-bearing abundance.

Let’s not settle for half-formed joy. Let’s press into the stages of spiritual growth until we are overflowing with the ripe fruit of His Spirit.

Lord, don’t let me settle in stages that don’t produce Your full harvest. Teach me how to nurture, prune, and care for the joy You plant in me. Grow within me the kind of joy that lasts—rooted in You and bearing fruit that glorifies You.

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Photo by Georg Eiermann on Unsplash

Where to Submit Your Devotion

Below are several places to submit your devotion—some are open year-round, others may have submission periods or themes. Always check the most current guidelines.

✍️ Places to Submit:

• LizCollardArnold.com – Submit your devotion via my website to be a guest writer. Follow the guidelines. Open internationally. No payment, but you’ll receive full credit, keep ownership and exposure with a photo, bio and social media link.

• Guideposts – For ongoing devotional or inspirational contributions, email and request their submission guidelines.

• Christian Devotions Ministries – Offers detailed submission guidelines for devotional writing.

• The Secret Place (Judson Press) – View their submission process.

• The Upper Room – Well-known devotional publisher with clear contributor guidelines.

• Lifeway – By invitation only. Use their interest form to inquire.

• David C Cook – Offers devotional writing opportunities. Review their writer guidelines online.

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Sample Submission Email

(Check each publication for guidelines)

Subject line: Devotion Submission: [Devotion Title]

Email Body:

Dear [Editor’s Name],

I’m submitting my devotion titled [Title] about [topic] for your consideration.

(If required: Attached is the devotion as a Word document or PDF.)

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
[Your Legal Name]
[Your Pen Name, if different]
[Address]
[Email]
[Phone Number]
[Agent Name, if applicable]

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Final Tips

• Keep a record of where you’ve submitted.

• Do not submit the same devotion to multiple publications unless they allow simultaneous submissions.

• Don’t get discouraged—keep writing and submitting.

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I’d love to hear from you! Let me know when you get published—I’ll celebrate with you.

Thank you for reading. If this post spoke to you, will you consider buying me a coffee to fuel my writing?