Devotionals, which feature short Bible passages paired with reflections and prayers, are intended to inspire and strengthen one’s spiritual life, while also cultivating moments of calm. This year, devotionals have taken on an even greater importance due to the pandemic, according to Damon Reiss, v-p and publisher for the W Publishing Group.

“As feelings of uncertainty due to the Covid pandemic continue to be felt across the globe, consumers are seeking products that support self-care,” Reiss says. “Devotionals, particularly those with a journaling or interactive element, have become a go-to for mental and spiritual self-care. These short readings empower readers to cope with anxiety and bolster their faith.”

Some devotionals even face current events head on. Out now from Westminster John Knox, A Surprising God: Advent Devotions for an Uncertain Time addresses issues that can stand in the way of living faithfully, such as the pandemic, political division, isolation, and illness. The 365-day devotional is by Thomas G. Long, a professor emeritus at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and Donyelle C. McCray, associate professor of homiletics at Yale University Divinity School.

Filling niches

Daily, weekly, and seasonal readings are also increasingly being aimed at niche markets. “If you’re looking for a devotional, you can find one that fits your needs,” says Brad Lyons, president of Chalice Press.

This year’s titles include devotionals for busy moms at Christmastime, men searching for biblical ideas of masculinity, animal-loving children, and others. These ultra-specific titles meet the needs of readers, appeal to their interests, and connect them to biblical content relevant to those areas, according to Robert Hosack, executive editor at Brazos Press.

“Such niche devotional resources—for every topic and trend, from golfers to gardeners, to time of life, from those dating to the divorced—ironically turn the focus of the devotion on the needs of the reader,” Hosack says, “rather than beginning with the text of Scripture, moving from holy ground to face the vicissitudes of life.”

Below are a few highlights of forthcoming niche devotionals:

● All God’s Creatures: 60 Days of Devotions for Animal-Loving Kids (Little Lamb, out now) features familiar animals and activity prompts including “Think,” “Journal,” and “Pray.”

● Geared-Up Faith for Classic Car Buffs by Ace Collins (Tyndale, May 2022) pairs automotive history with 31 stories, photographs, and biblical wisdom.

● Man of Purpose: 100 Devotions for the Aspiring Life by Josh Mosey (Barbour, out now) calls on men to be helpful, prayerful, and respectful in all areas of life.

● On Love and Mercy: A Social Justice Devotional (MennoMedia, Oct.) by Stephen Mattson, whose writings have been published in the Huffington Post and Relevant, is a 60-day devotional centered on examples of the qualities of Jesus that strives to demonstrate how Christianity can, and must, help bring justice and equity into reality.

● Praying Through Cancer: A 90-Day Devotional for Women by Susan Sorensen and Laura Geist (W, out now) is a new edition of the book, which has sold more than 100,000 copies since it was first released in 2006, according to the publisher.

● Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays by Tama Fortner (Ink & Willow, Sept.) invites readers to slow down and reflect on the story of Jesus’s birth in 31 undated entries.

Expanding empires

In addition to offering words of encouragement, the devotional format is an easy way to expand an author’s brand. Kate Bowler, author of 2017’s Everything Happens for a Reason, teamed up with Jessica Richie, producer of the podcast Everything Happens, on Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection (Convergent, Feb. 2022). The short spiritual reflections are intended to help readers look at “how we can make sense of life not as a pursuit of endless progress, but as a chronic condition,” according to the publisher.

Singer-songwriter Ellie Holcomb’s debut devotional, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness (B&H, Oct.), responds to life’s disappointments and challenges with Bible verses, reflection questions, and words of encouragement. Holcomb, author of the children’s books Who Sang the First Song and Don’t Forget to Remember, was inspired to write the new devotional after helping a friend through a period of depression.

Based on the new album by the Christian music band MercyMe, Inhale (Exhale): A 40-Day Journey Breathing in Grace and Living Out Hope ties Scripture together with each track on the album. Themes include letting go of the past, self-love, overcoming doubt, deepening faith, and more. Slated for publication by K-Love Books in October, the devotional also features application questions, meditations, prayers, and room for journaling.

Rebekah Lyons, host of the podcast Rhythms for Life and author of 2019’s Rhythms of Renewal, draws on experience with anxiety and depression in A Surrendered Yes: 52 Devotions to Let Go and Live Free (Zondervan, Sept.). The book encourages readers to embrace ordinary daily moments, or what the author calls “daily rhythms,” in order to “get more armored for the big things” in life, Lyons notes.

Devotionals also are a savvy business move for publishers, as costs are low to repurpose existing content into short readings. Actor and singer Michelle Williams is expanding upon her recently released self-help book, Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life and Can Save Yours, in a devotional, The Daily Check-In: A Sixty Day Journey to Finding Your Strength, Faith, and Wholeness (Nelson, Jan. 2022). The guided journal features strategies for overcoming feelings of powerlessness, dissatisfaction, and loneliness, as well as words from Scripture and short prayers. And At the Table with Jesus: 66 Days to Draw Closer to Christ and Fortify Your Faith (W, Mar. 2022), a follow-up to Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio, takes readers through the Bible, starting in Psalm 23. The book aims to guide them into “building a habit of living life” with God, according to the publisher.

In November, WaterBrook is drawing on never-before-published stories, sermons, and other writings by the late bestselling author Eugene H. Peterson in a new devotional, On Living Well: Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus. According to the publisher, the book will explore “the extraordinary spirituality of ordinary life,” and how living like Jesus means living well.

Based on sermons by Episcopal priest and theologian Fleming Rutledge, Means of Grace: A Year of Weekly Devotions is available now from Eerdmans. Laura Bardolph Hubers, director of marketing and publicity at the Grand Rapids, Mich.–based publisher, served as editor of the weekly devotional. “I spent a lot of time reading Fleming’s work, and as I read I realized her sermons always touch on personal human experience in a way that would be ideally suited to devotions,” she says.

Eerdmans acquisition editor David Bratt adds, “Fleming Rutledge is one of the most thoughtful theologians and students of human nature we’ve ever published. We are hoping that, with this new format for her ideas, a whole new range of readers will be able to benefit from her insights.”

Gifting spiritual nourishment

Devotionals, which typically come in smaller hardcover formats, are often bought as gifts for readers of all ages. For those in need of hope, Brazos is publishing Sheltering Mercy: Prayers Inspired by the Psalms (Feb. 2022) by artists Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt. The book features free-verse responses to Psalms 1–75, complete with illustrations. “The authors believe that the Psalms are holy ground, and their prayers are lyrical sketches of what they’ve seen, heard, and felt while walking through the valleys of the shadows of death and life,” Hosack at Brazos says. “These meditative prayers mirror the Psalms, and in them we discover that we are never alone in our joys, sorrows, angers, doubts, praises, or thanksgivings.”

Featuring glossy full-color photographs as well as recipes, several forthcoming devotionals are tapping into the spirit of the American South. Coming from Tyndale, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South: Sassy, Sacred, Southern Stories Filled with Hope and Humor by Jane Jenkins Herlong and Life Is Sweet, Y’all: Wit and Wisdom with a Side of Sass by Maggie Wallem Rowe both come out in March, while a third devotional from the publisher, Come Sit a Spell: An Invitation to Reflect on Faith, Food, and Family, will be published in April.

Becky Brandvik, senior director, Tyndale gift and specialty, says that the Christian publishing house “takes a unique approach by connecting readers to devotional material that is peppered with humorous stories, sweet sentiments, hobbies, nostalgia, and charming Southern and rural themes.” She adds, “Devotional books with simple country-living themes take readers back to a time and place where people’s lives were real and raw.”

Tyndale isn’t the only publisher with Southern-inspired devotionals. Her Daily Bread: Inspired Words and Recipes to Feast on All Year Long by Wood and Spoon blogger Kate Wood (HarperOne, Dec.) features 365 devotionals and 52 Southern recipes, such as Fluffernutter Pretzel Pie and Two-Bite Crab Cakes with Lemon Dill Aioli. The author hopes Her Daily Bread will “fill readers’ bellies with good, comforting food, and their spirits with hope, peace, and joy,” according to the publisher.

Bread of Life: Savoring the All-Satisfying Goodness of Jesus through the Art of Bread Making by Abigail Dodds (Crossway, Oct.) also revolves around food. Dodds, author of 2019’s (A)Typical Woman, writes once again on finding one’s fulfillment in God while sharing 11 easy-to-follow recipes for sweet and savory breads.

Here to stay

Interest in devotionals shows no signs of slowing down. Endless markets and other business advantages are reason enough to publish the short spiritual readings, but the purpose behind them remains their most valuable asset, according to Lyons at Chalice. “They connect the time between worship experiences and help readers stay in touch with their faith Monday through Saturday, and do so in consistent patterns that help build a routine check-in with God,” Lyons says. “That daily reunion with our faith can be so potent.”

With so many options in frequency, duration, and subjects for devotionals, it’s easy for readers to stick with the spiritual practice. “When readers choose their particular devotional,” Lyons says, “they’re making a short-term commitment and holding themselves accountable—another faith practice in the making.”

Emma Wenner is a former religion editor at PW and is currently a freelance writer.