Five Disciplines for Men’s Private Devotions
Men, your private time with God is a battleground for your soul. Scripture calls you to stand firm (1 Corinthians 16:13), and these five disciplines—grounded in the Word—will strengthen your faith: start with gratitude, read Proverbs for wisdom, plan to read the Bible, lift your hands in worship, and confess your faith while praying boldly.
1. Start with Gratitude
Kick off your devotions with thanks. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving.” Reflect on God’s provision—your job, family, or even the grit to face another day. Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude keeps you humble and focused, reminding you who’s in charge.
2. Read Proverbs for Wisdom
Proverbs is your playbook for manhood. “The Lord gives wisdom” (Proverbs 2:6), and its 31 chapters fit a month’s daily grind. Need to tame your tongue (Proverbs 15:1) or work hard (Proverbs 13:4)? Dig in. A wise man fears God (Proverbs 9:10) and leads well—start here.
3. Have a Plan to Read Through the Bible
God’s Word lights your path (Psalm 119:105). Don’t just flip pages—have a plan. Joshua 1:8 says to meditate on it day and night for success. A one-year trek through Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, builds backbone and reveals God’s mission. Stick to it.
4. Lift Your Hands and Worship
Worship isn’t soft—it’s warrior-like. Psalm 63:4 declares, “In your Name, I will lift up my hands.” Paul and Silas praised in prison, and chains broke (Acts 16:25). Alone, raise your hands, belt out a Psalm, or name His titles—King, Savior, Judge. It’s you and God, unfiltered.
5. Confess Your Faith and Pray Boldly
Finish strong: confess what you believe and bring your needs. “Hold fast the confession of our hope” (Hebrews 10:23). Say it—“God, You’re my strength” (Psalm 18:1) or “You’ve got my back” (Philippians 4:19). Then pray like Philippians 4:6—dump your worries and ask big. He listens.
Be a Man of God
Jesus withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16)—you should too. These disciplines—gratitude, wisdom, Bible reading, worship, and prayer—forge a man who abides in Christ (John 15:4). Life’s a fight, but “draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Step up, brothers. Your soul’s worth it.
Action Step
To accompany the book FivestarMan, we’ve created the 45-Day Challenge, which is specifically designed to help you understand the purposes of Proverbs 20:5. Take the Challenge, and you will gain an understanding of God’s original intent for your life.
