6 Ways Working Moms Can Start Spending Time with God
I’ll be the first to admit it: finding time for God as a working mom is hard. Not impossible, but genuinely hard. Between getting two little ones dressed and fed, running out the door before 7 AM, navigating a full day at work, and then coming home to dinner, dishes, and bedtime routines, the last thing on my mind some nights is opening my Bible. But it’s also the one thing my soul is craving. I know I’m not alone in that tension. Wanting to grow in your relationship with Christ while also feeling like you don’t have anything left to give by the end of the day is a struggle so many of us know too well.
If you’re a fellow Christian mom juggling the demands of work and family, you already know that time is your most limited resource. But what if we stopped seeing spending time with God as another box to check off and started seeing it as the very thing that gives us strength for all the other things? Scripture doesn’t ask us to hustle harder, it invites us to rest in the Lord. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” That verse hits differently when your toddler just threw his sandwich on the floor and your inbox is full of unread emails.
Here’s the good news: spending time with God doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long quiet time with a candle and tea and a freshly highlighted Bible. (Although I do dream of those mornings.) The key is finding small, sustainable rhythms that work in your real life, not someone else’s Instagram highlight reel. Today I want to share six practical, life-giving ways to start spending time with God as a working mom, even if your days feel like one long to-do list.
How can I spend time with God when I barely have a minute to myself?
This is such a valid question, and honestly, one I still ask myself regularly. Between work, commutes, cleaning, grocery runs, and the endless needs of small children, the idea of “me time” can feel like a fantasy. But spending time with God doesn’t require solitude in a peaceful cottage with birds chirping outside. (Though let me tell you, that would be lovely.) What God desires is connection. That connection can happen in the car, while folding laundry, or even while rocking a fussy baby at 2 AM.
Think about the way you talk to a close friend. Sometimes it’s a long phone call. Other times it’s a quick text or a knowing glance. our relationship with the Lord can be that same way, full of both deep, set-apart moments and quick, honest prayers in the middle of the chaos. Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” That means He’s present in your minivan, your kitchen, and your office cubicle. We just have to turn our eyes toward Him.
Start small. Whisper a prayer when you wake up, thanking God for breath in your lungs. Keep a Bible app open and listen to a Psalm while driving. Say a quick Scripture over your kids as they run into daycare. These little moments add up, and they train your heart to lean on God in every season, not just the quiet ones.
Read more: 5 Ways to Create a Christ-Centered Foundation in Your Home
What if I feel spiritually dry and disconnected?
I want to gently say this: you are not a bad Christian for feeling spiritually dry. Motherhood, especially in the little years, is physically and emotionally exhausting. Add a full-time job to that, and it’s no wonder so many of us feel drained. But that dryness can actually be the very place where God meets us most tenderly. Isaiah 58:11 says, “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places.”
Spiritual dryness doesn’t always mean you’re doing something wrong. It can be an invitation. An invitation to stop trying to do it all in your own strength and to let God fill the dry places in your soul. If you’re feeling disconnected, start by being honest with God about it. You don’t have to fake it. Tell Him, “Lord, I miss You. I need You, but I don’t even know where to begin.”
Then create just one small opportunity for connection. That could be journaling your prayers, reading one verse a day, or singing along to a worship song in the car. You’ll be surprised at how quickly the Holy Spirit begins to soften your heart again. He never left. He’s just waiting for you to come sit with Him, even if only for a few minutes.
Read more: 10 Habits for Spiritual Goal Setting for the Busy Christian Mom
How do I create a devotional plan that actually works for my life?
This is where so many moms get tripped up. We try to copy someone else’s devotional plan—a Pinterest-perfect routine with color-coded highlighters and 5 AM wakeups. But friend, your devotional plan for moms needs to fit your actual life. If you work full-time and have tiny humans climbing all over you, then your devotional rhythm needs to be simple, flexible, and rooted in grace.
Start by picking a time of day that feels doable. Maybe that’s five minutes before the kids wake up. Maybe it’s in the car during your commute. Maybe it’s while you’re washing dishes. The when doesn’t matter as much as the consistency. Next, choose a format you enjoy. Do you like reading Scripture and reflecting? Try a short Bible reading plan. Prefer journaling? Keep a prayer journal in your bag. Love listening? Use a Bible podcast or app.
The key is to keep it simple and stick with it. Give yourself permission to show up imperfectly. A devotional plan for moms doesn’t need to be elaborate. It just needs to be real. And remember, the Lord honors your effort. He sees your heart and meets you there.
6 Ways Working Moms Can Start Spending Time with God
Listen, I get it. Some days, it feels like you barely have time to brush your hair, let alone dive into Scripture and prayer. But spending time with God doesn’t have to mean waking up at 4 a.m. or having an hour of uninterrupted silence. (Though if that’s your reality, please tell me your secrets!) As a working mom with young kids, your devotional life might look different from what you imagined. But it can still be rich, meaningful, and deeply rooted in Christ. These six ideas are meant to meet you where you are and help you build a rhythm of connection with God that fits into your real, everyday life.
1. Start with Scripture in Small Doses
As a working mom, it’s easy to feel like there’s just no time to sit down and study the Bible in the way we might long to. But the beauty of God’s Word is that even a single verse has the power to speak into our hearts. Instead of aiming for lengthy chapters or a set reading plan that doesn’t fit your current season, try meditating on just one verse a day. Choose something short and meaningful-like a Psalm or a verse from the Gospels, and reflect on it throughout your day. Write it on an index card, jot it in your planner, or tape it to your bathroom mirror.
I’ve started keeping a small notebook with me where I write down verses I want to remember. I read one while drinking my morning coffee (if I’m lucky enough to get a warm cup), and I glance at it again before bedtime. It’s not a big production, but it’s something, and those “somethings” add up. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is living and active.” That means even a short moment in the Word can plant something deep in your soul.
If you miss a day, don’t be hard on yourself. This isn’t a race or a test. It’s a relationship. Just pick up where you left off and keep going. The goal is to stay connected, not to meet a quota.
2. Turn Ordinary Moments into Prayer
We often think prayer has to be long and structured, but really, it’s just a conversation with God. And thankfully, He’s available anytime, even in the carpool line or while reheating your coffee for the third time. Turn your everyday routines into prayerful ones. While you’re folding laundry, talk to God about what’s on your heart. While you’re washing dishes, pray for your family. Use your commute to thank Him, to vent, or to worship.
Some of my most honest prayers have come while scrubbing a potty-training disaster or trying not to cry in the bathroom at work. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” There’s no pressure to be polished, just be present.
If it helps, set little reminders throughout your day to pause and pray. You could even label your alarms with prompts like “Give thanks,” “Pray for your husband,” or “Ask for strength.” Make prayer part of the natural rhythm of your day instead of something you have to squeeze in awkwardly.
3. Build a Cozy Devotional Space
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup, but creating a small, inviting space can make it easier to spend time with God. Find a corner, a chair, or even just a basket that holds your Bible, a notebook, a pen, and a devotional book. When everything is together and easy to grab, it removes one more barrier between you and your time with the Lord.
I keep my little devotional basket by the couch, so I can grab it when the kids are occupied or napping. Sometimes I only get five minutes. Other days, I may get a bit more. But having that space ready helps remind me that this is something I can return to regularly.
Make it yours. Add a candle, a soft blanket, or a cup of tea. Or keep it simple and mess-free. The point isn’t aesthetics; it’s access. A devotional plan for moms doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be reachable.
4. Use Audio to Stay Connected
There are days when sitting down to read anything just doesn’t happen. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay rooted in God’s truth. Use audio resources to bring Scripture and worship into your busy routine. Apps like YouVersion allow you to listen to the Bible while you drive. Podcasts like “The Bible Recap” or “Daily Grace” can offer quick and rich reflections that meet you right where you are.
Worship music is another beautiful way to turn your thoughts toward God. I often play my favorite worship songs while cooking dinner or packing lunches. Sometimes I even sing them softly as lullabies at bedtime. Colossians 3:16 encourages us to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly through psalms and spiritual songs. That verse has taken on new meaning for me in this season.
Let the Word meet you in the rhythm of your life. It’s not about carving out new time, it’s about redeeming the time you already have.
5. Let Your Kids See Your Faith
One of the most powerful ways to spend time with God as a mom is to include your children. You don’t have to choose between your devotional life and motherhood. Let them overlap. Read a short verse during breakfast. Play Bible songs during playtime. Pray out loud together as you buckle them into the car.
My four-year-old loves to say grace before dinner, and I’ve started letting him choose what we thank God for each night. Sometimes it’s for grapes. Other times it’s for dinosaurs. But that little prayer teaches him that God is part of our everyday life, and it keeps me grounded too.
You can also find a toddler Bible and read a page or two at bedtime. Or let them color while you read a devotion next to them. They’re watching you, learning from you, and being formed by your love for Christ, even in the messiest moments.
6. Soak in Grace and Start Again Tomorrow
Here’s the truth: some days, you’ll get it all wrong. You’ll forget to pray. You’ll lose your patience. You’ll fall into bed without opening your Bible. And you’ll wonder if any of it is making a difference. But God doesn’t measure your worth by your devotional checklist. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).
If you’re trying to impress God, you can let that weight fall off your shoulders. What He wants most is your presence. The Lord knows your schedule. He knows your fatigue. He knows the weight you carry. And He invites you to rest in Him, not to perform for Him.
So give yourself grace. And when you wake up tomorrow, ask God to meet you right where you are. Whether that’s with a verse, a prayer, or a quiet moment in the car, He will be there. Your devotional plan as a mom doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to start with a willing heart.
If there’s one thing I hope you take from all of this, it’s that your time with God matters—even if it’s short, quiet, or messy. You don’t need a flawless routine or fancy tools. You need a heart that seeks Him in the midst of your ordinary. He’s not waiting for you to be less busy, less tired, or more spiritual. He’s waiting for you to turn your eyes toward Him right where you are.
So whether you’re folding laundry, sitting in traffic, or finally catching your breath after bedtime, you can meet with God. He’s near. He’s present. And He delights in you.
What’s one small step you’re going to try this week to spend time with Him?
Share it in the comments!
I’d love to encourage you and pray for you as you seek to draw closer to the Lord in this season.
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