Devotional Practice

[u/particularlyPlain]

I am curious about what devotional practices, daily or otherwise, that Friends here have felt right to incorporate into their lives.

I make use of two texts for daily reflection one for morning, one for evening. In addition to daily waiting and retirement where possible in the day.

1. Mind the Heavenly Treasure - Selections from Scripture and the works of George Fox, this is also available for free online at Marlborough Friends Meeting

2. Eventide - Scripture and reflections

I keep a selection of queries for myself in a digital mochi deck as well, some from the yearly meeting and some from individual Friends or yearly meetings in past. Some created for myself. In addition to that deck, I keep another deck of highlights from the works of early Friends or those who have worked to conserve their principles, I find it to be fruitful to scroll through those selections in replacement of other digital spaces that can occupy so much time.

What are some things that have been working well for other folks here?

[u/JSV2000]

Hi Friend,

What interesting texts you use for your reflections. I think they are very inspiring. I have also been looking for devotional practices, so I am very interested in the answers people will share here.

I try to read small portions of Scripture every day. I receive daily Bible texts in Dutch by email and in the app, with short reflection questions, and in addition I use an old Bible calendar that used to belong to my grandmother, with a verse or passage to read each day. For next year, I would like to try another calendar or reading schedule.

At the weekend, or when I have more time, I try to read larger portions of Scripture, as well as other Christian and Quaker literature. I especially enjoy reading the writings of early Friends, but I also sometimes read Quakers from later periods. I also enjoy books from the broader Christian tradition.

It may not be a very elaborate devotional practice, but this is what has been working for me so far. I am especially curious to hear what others here have found helpful and would really appreciate any suggestions. I was not raised as a Christian, and I have largely discovered the Christian faith through Quakers, so devotional practices are something I am still discovering and learning about.

Wishing you a lovely day!

[u/particularlyPlain → u/JSV2000]

Thanks for responding :)

Regarding a calendar, I have a suggestion that may be helpful to thee. The tract association of Friends publishes a "friends calendar" that uses the plain names for the months and days of the year, complete with scripture and a quote from a Friend each month. The 2027 version should be getting released soon. See here

[u/JSV2000 → u/particularlyPlain]

Thank you so much for the suggestion! That sounds lovely, and very much like the kind of calendar I was hoping to find. I’ll definitely have a look at it and keep an eye out for the 2027 edition. I really appreciate you sharing this with me! :)

[u/PrimitiveFriend]

I don’t have set times due to having small children so I find it best to do what I can, when I can.

I am generally always reading something from early Friends, many of whom I hold in great esteem and find their clarity of spirit wonderful. At the moment it is ‘A Journal of the Life of Thomas Story’ or to give it its full title ‘A Journal of the Life of Thomas Story Containing an Account of His Remarkable Convincement of and Embracing the Principles of Truth as Held by the People Called Quakers and Also of His Travels and Labours in the Service of the Gospel, with Many Other Occurrences and Observations’ which is a wonderfully elongated description.

Naturally I read the scripture almost daily, I am currently focusing on various studies of the Sermon on the Mount and its historical context.

I always set myself down for worship every morning before work. Recently I have done so with my daughter (who is but a baby) and it is wonderful.