4 best devotional books: grounded and growing

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Are you looking for a devotional that fits your life and values? Whether you’re drawn to the rhythms of the lectionary, looking for a weekly theme to reflect on, or hoping to dive deeper into your spiritual journey, there’s a devotional out there for you. In this post, I’ll feature a handful of meaningful devotional books. Some traditional, some more reflective, and one with a strong focus on social justice. Each one offers a different path for connecting with God and staying grounded through the week. Stay tuned for a preview of a few of the best devotional books I’ve found.

Granted, over the years I’ve found dozens of wonderful books. The books featured here are all ones that have resonated with me in the past year or so. I will present them in no particular order.

The first of the best devotional books: The Upper Room Disciplines

New editions of this book are released each year. It’s based on the Revised Common Lectionary, offering daily readings and reflections from a wide range of Christian voices. Each week, a different contributor shares insights to help you explore scripture more deeply and reflect on God’s presence in your life and community. The 2025 edition features writers like Jorge Acevedo, Bishop Sidwell Mokgothu, Osheta Moore, J. Dana Trent, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth, and Nadiyka Gerbish. In addition to the daily meditations, you’ll find helpful tools for personal and group use, including a prayer guide and a small group leader’s guide. Whether you’re reading on your own or with others, Disciplines offers a thoughtful, steady way to grow in faith throughout the year.

What is the lectionary?

The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is a three-year cycle of scripture readings used by many churches to guide worship and study throughout the year. Each Sunday includes readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and one of the Gospels. Over the course of the cycle, the RCL helps churches hear from a wide range of biblical voices and themes, following the rhythm of the liturgical calendar (from Advent and Christmas through Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time). Many devotional books, including The Upper Room Disciplines, are shaped around this schedule, offering thoughtful reflections that align with the weekly readings.

What I especially like about this

My pastor typically uses lectionary readings when planning sermons and services. When I study The Upper Room Disciplines each week, it prepares me for the service and enriches the experience. I’ve spent time throughout the week thinking about the scripture passages. Even better, I’m part of a small group at church that meets often during the year to discuss what we’ve found in the book. Our leaders provide extensive background information about the biblical texts. It’s been a great source of encouragement and growth for me.

The second of the best devotional books: Word by Word by Marilyn McEntyre

In Word by Word, Marilyn McEntyre invites readers to slow down and reflect deeply on just one word at a time. Drawing from spiritual practices like lectio divina and centering prayer, she offers thoughtful meditations on fifteen carefully chosen words such as Listen, Let Go, Rejoice, Ask, and Be Still. Each word is explored over the course of a week, from seven different angles, encouraging readers to consider its scriptural roots, personal meaning, and potential to shape prayer and awareness. McEntyre’s gentle guidance helps readers discover how even the simplest words can open us up to God’s presence and direction in everyday life.

I was part of an ecumenical study based on this book during Lent this year, and it was meaningful. I enjoyed the book so much that I continued with it beyond Lent.

Some of my favorite reflections in Word by Word

I’ll share my take on two of the devotionals, each drawn from one day of a full week exploring a particular word.

LET GO of self-defeating stories.

Scripture reminds us that we are not called to judge ourselves any more than we are called to judge others. We do our best to make wise and faithful choices with the guidance we have. Yes, sometimes we miss the mark, acting in ways that hurt ourselves or others. But even those moments can become openings for the Spirit to enter, bringing forgiveness and the possibility of real transformation.

The truth is, every life holds contradictions. Even the best stories are marked by struggle and imperfection. But they’re also stories of grace. When we frame our lives as journeys of grace rather than tales of success or failure, we get a truer sense of who we are.

ASK on others’ behalf.

Lifting others up in prayer is one of the core ways communities of faith care for each other. When we ask for healing, hope, forgiveness, or blessing on someone else’s behalf, we are living out the command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

It’s a practice rooted in the understanding that we are all connected. As one bit of wisdom puts it: everybody does better when everybody does better. Communities aren’t strengthened by exclusion or punishment, even when that feels easier in the moment. True healing often comes through the harder work of reconciliation. And when we pray for those who work against us, something shifts in us too. Interceding for their healing or renewal can widen our hearts, stretch our imaginations, and cultivate a deeper humility.

The third of the best devotional books: Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry

What greets you when you wake up? A rush of notifications? Headlines that stir frustration? A to-do list that feels overwhelming before the day even begins? Imagine starting the day differently: with clarity, not chaos. What if each morning offered a moment to reconnect with God, to remember who you are, and to focus on what truly matters?

In Upon Waking, Jackie Hill Perry offers sixty brief but powerful reflections on scripture, each one designed to help you begin the day with intention and faith. With her honest and thoughtful voice, she invites you to draw closer to God, gain perspective for the day ahead, and step more fully into your purpose.

One of my favorite reflections in Upon Waking

There are so many beautiful ideas in this book that I struggled with choosing one. They’re each based on a short scripture passage, and they all get you to think. And maybe ask yourself a few hard questions.

For am I now seeking the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

Humility invites curiosity. It’s so unlike how most of us live, and yet it’s the way of God. In the gospels, Jesus consistently chose to minimize himself. Even in moments of divine power, like turning water into wine, he stayed in the background. The host received the praise, and Jesus didn’t mind. He was content to release the glory.

So much of our goodness can be tangled up with our desire to be seen, liked, or applauded. Human praise is immediate and tangible, but trusting that God delights in us takes faith. Jesus shows us another way: do good, bless others, and let them celebrate. There’s deeper joy and greater praise waiting beyond the spotlight.

The fourth of the best devotional books: On Love and Mercy by Stephen Mattson

On Love and Mercy is a 60-day devotional for Christians who believe social justice is a vital expression of faith. Stephen Mattson invites readers to explore how personal devotion and public action go hand in hand, offering daily reflections that affirm justice as a Christ-centered calling.

Each entry offers encouragement and solidarity for those longing to see equity and compassion in the world. With a focus on Jesus as the model for justice and mercy, this devotional reminds us that while religion may disappoint, Jesus does not. He walks with us as we do our best to love our neighbors and live out God’s call.

One of my favorite reflections from On Love and Mercy

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13

Loving our neighbors sounds simple, but living it out takes humility, sacrifice, and deep compassion. Jesus calls us to love not just in word, but in action, especially toward those who are poor, sick, imprisoned, displaced, or oppressed. This kind of love runs counter to a world that values power, fame, and wealth.

So where do we begin? We look to Jesus. His life wasn’t centered on religious status or perfect words; it was about meeting people with justice, kindness, healing, and hope. When we follow his example, we learn to carry the burdens of others and become people who love with purpose.

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I have found wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement in these books. What devotional books would you recommend?

Please drop your suggestions in the comments!