3 Habits to Add to Your Daily Routine in 2024

By Chuck Fenwick

It is officially 2024 – and the New Year always comes with big goal-setting energy. 

Hear me out, you do NOT have to set big goals for this year. 

I don’t think you have to change everything about yourself or go to the gym every day or promise to do something unattainable. 

But if you do want to grow your relationship with God, I have a few tips for you. 

Here are three habits you can continue to foster or add to your daily routines to strengthen your faith life. 

Read the Bible

You may already feel like reading scripture is something you should do regularly. If it’s not part of your routine right now, don’t stress. 

The Bible is super long and it feels intimidating! Sometimes the content can feel overwhelming, and I totally understand that.

If you’re looking for something to guide you through reading the Bible, I highly recommend the YouVersion bible app! YouVersion released some cool features this year, and I believe it’s an excellent resource for new and regular readers, too. 

When you download and open the app, you’ll see the “daily refresh.” It’s a bible verse, a quick 2-5 minute video, and 4-6 minutes of guided prayer. So overall, it takes less than 10 minutes for the day. 

This is revolutionary for your daily devotion routine! And if you don’t have a daily routine, I really think this will help you develop this habit and add it to your life. 

If 10 minutes sounds too overwhelming, start smaller. I always encourage new bible readers to start in the book of Mark. Mark was one of Jesus’ best friends and wrote one of the four Gospels. (the gospels are the first 4 books of the second half of the Bible, and they are all about Jesus’ life.)

Mark is the shortest and most concise, so you get the most important details. Then, move on to the book of Acts. 

Try to incorporate Bible reading into a consistent part of your day. If you eat breakfast and scroll through your phone, read your bible first. If you’re a regular lunch taker, read it before you take your first bite. If you typically read before bed, do your bible reading before the rest of your reading! 

Adding this small habit to something you already do makes you more likely to stick with it. 

Pray Every Day

Imagine this. You’re at work, and you receive a new co-worker in your department. They are super cool and seem like they want to be your friend. What do you do next? 

You'll most likely talk with them more regularly, go to lunch together, and spend more time together. Right? 

To build a relationship with someone important to you, you have to communicate regularly and experience life together. And building a relationship with God is no different. 

Prayer is simply a conversation with God. And God is already excited to talk to you. 

If you choose to use the YouVersion app (like I talked about in the Bible reading section), then you’ll experience the guided prayer portion of that devotion. 

If not, you can find other times to pray throughout your day. Again, try associating prayer with something else you do every day. Make the bed? Say your prayer. Brew your coffee every morning? Say a prayer during this time. Hopefully, you’re brushing your teeth every day, so use that moment to pray. 

And if you have no idea what to say, start with gratitude. Debrief with God about something you’re thankful for today. 

Here’s a sample prayer you can use when you’re happy:

 “God, thank you for the goodness that is going on in my life right now. I know it isn’t always like this, and that’s what makes times like these so special. I pray that I can spread this happiness and joy I feel to the people I interact with. I pray I can grow closer to you during this time, too.”

Connect with People

Building new routines is not an easy thing to do alone. That’s why workout classes can be so practical for people.

When you’re part of a community that is striving toward a similar goal, it’s easier for everyone to stay on track. .

So find a small group or a few friends that want to grow in their faith, too! Connecting with a community is essential for growth. No one should be alone – being with others helps hold you accountable and grow in the best ways! 

If you aren’t sure where to find other people to connect with, text me! I can encourage you and help you find a community that will help you thrive.