More often than not, I spend the first half of my mornings hitting the snooze buttons. Then, hobbling out of bed I rush to get dressed, fed, and out the door on time. This schedule (or lack thereof) leaves little time for that quiet, peaceful, fulfilling time with God. I know it’s vital to prioritize God in order to maintain a healthy relationship, but it’s hard, and I’m human. Without the excitement to get up and study the Bible, it’s practically impossible to leave those comforting, warm sheets at dawn. But there are specific hacks to re-ignite your passion and hunger for God’s inspirational mysteries. I’m about to share a few that I’ve found.

Find The Best Time

Contrary to popular belief, God isn’t only available for a study sesh at 6 a.m. Maybe you’re not a morning person, and you feel more energized at night when the stresses of the day have already been dealt with. Of course, the popular idea that your day must start with God doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fit an hour-long, in-depth study of the gospels before every workday. Beginning your day with God looks different for different people. Try listening to a Christian podcast on your way to work, or maybe downloading an app to receive a verse of the day. Also, saying a quick prayer before your feet hit the ground is an easy way to set your mind on “higher things.”

For me, the best time to study the Bible is after I’ve packed my bag and taken care of the dog in the morning. The most pressing responsibilities have been dealt with, and I don’t feel rushed to finish my study time.

Set Yourself Up for Success

It’s important to realize that all the good intentions in the world won’t make you magically have the time and energy to open your Bible. Good habits, like going to sleep earlier and fellowship with like-minded believers can make choosing to study easier. Also, organizing your Bible study tools in an accessible manner can help the process.

Remember the revelations

Are you feeling unmotivated and bored by the idea of Bible study? Think of the times God spoke to you or revealed something through His word. This could be through a past study, a youth group meeting, a sermon, or even a conversation with a friend. How did it feel to have God put the puzzle pieces together in front of you? How did it feel to realize a new Biblical truth? Remembering how fulfilling Bible study can feel is a tremendous motivating force. If you can’t think of any, ask a parent, teacher, pastor, or friend for an experience where God touched them through His truth. That craving for connecting to and experiencing God may be just what you need to seek out God’s word. Remember, you might not always feel woefully inspired after every Bible study. It doesn’t mean you’re “doing it wrong” because that isn’t possible. There isn’t one perfect way to study God’s word. The critical fact is that you showed up. You never know if your reading will be just what you need in the future, whether for your own growth or to strengthen a friend.

Find a study buddy or group

It can easier for the social animals to find accountability when you have others to share the experience. This step can look different for different people, from finding a youth group to joining an online Bible study platform. For me, I enjoy talking to one or two people on my Bible reading, specifically the exciting or relevant passages that hit home for me or even concepts I found particularly thought-provoking. This not only encourages you to continue reading but may even inspire your friend to take a peek into the great mysteries of God.

Without consistent communication with the embodiment of goodness, we can’t hope to become secure and confident. Only through the word of God might we find our identity and overcome self-doubt’s labyrinth of lies and half-truths. For more information on being motivation to read the Bible, and my experience with daily devotion, click here. Here is another resource with Bible verses on communication with God.