Best Devotional Books to Read (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Choosing the best devotional books to read starts with the rhythm you want: a year of daily readings, a short study, or a few minutes each morning. Five devotionals were compared by devotion count, print length, publication date and description, so you can match the book to the reader.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Jesus Calling by Young	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Everyday Gospel by Tripp	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Jesus First for Men by BroadStreet	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	40 Days Through the Bible by TerKeurst	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Worry Less, Pray More by Maltese	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Jesus Calling by Young

Sarah Young·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader wanting a year of large-text daily devotions with written-out Scriptures; skip it for a short study or a gendered focus.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 365 devotions with large text and complete Scriptures.
• 416 pages, September 5, 2011, from Thomas Nelson.
• For men and women.

Cons

• September 5, 2011 edition; an older printing.
• Large-text format adds bulk.
• No ribbon marker is stated.

2

Everyday Gospel by Tripp

Paul David Tripp·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader wanting 365 devotions on a Bible-in-a-year plan; skip it for a shorter topical study.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 365 daily devotions following canonical Bible order.
• 488 pages, September 24, 2024, from Crossway.
• Includes a ribbon marker.

Cons

• 488 pages; the longest book here.
• Year-long commitment.
• No large-text edition is stated.

3

Jesus First for Men by BroadStreet

BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a man wanting 365 morning devotions in faux leather; skip it for a women's or family devotional.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 365 devotions for men, with Scriptures and prayers.
• Faux leather with Smyth-sewn binding and ribbon marker.
• 384 pages, May 2, 2023 edition.

Cons

• Written for men; not a shared or women's devotional.
• No large-text edition is stated.
• Gift binding, not a pocket book.

4

40 Days Through the Bible by TerKeurst

Lysa TerKeurst·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a reader wanting a 40-day guided tour of the Bible's storyline; skip it for a year-long daily devotional.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 40-day journey through the Bible's major themes.
• Eight-week study with the Proverbs 31 team.
• 208 pages, February 15, 2022 edition.

Cons

• 40 days, not a full-year devotional.
• Study format, not a gift book.
• No ribbon marker is stated.

5

Worry Less, Pray More by Maltese

Donna K. Maltese·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits a woman wanting 180 short readings and prayers on worry; skip it for a men's or year-long devotional.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 180 devotions and prayers for women.
• Rooted in Philippians 4:6-7, per the description.
• 192 pages, March 1, 2019 edition.

Cons

• Written for women; not a men's devotional.
• 180 readings, not a full 365-day year.
• 2019 edition; an older printing.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Grace for Today by Spurgeon366 one-minute devotions in faux leather.Check on Amazon
• One Minute with God for Men365 short devotions for men on the go.Check on Amazon
• Jesus First for Women365 morning devotions for women.Check on Amazon
• Mini Devotions for Women180 pocket-size devotions for women.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a daily reader, contents, edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. None of the five listings states a reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best devotional books to read

Pick the length of the journey

Three picks run 365 devotions for a full year; 40 Days Through the Bible covers 40 days and Worry Less, Pray More offers 180 readings. A year-long book suits a steady daily habit; a shorter one suits Lent or a new habit. For shared reading, see our family devotionals.

Match the reader

Jesus First for Men is written for men and Worry Less, Pray More for women; Jesus Calling and Everyday Gospel address general readers. For more picks for her, see women’s daily devotionals.

Before you buy

• Confirm the devotion count: 365-day books ask for a year-long commitment.
• Check the intended reader: men’s, women’s or general.
• Compare print length and format; gift bindings add bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a devotional and a Bible study?

Jesus Calling gives a short daily reading; 40 Days Through the Bible is an eight-week study of the Bible’s storyline.

How long does a daily devotional take to read?

The one-minute devotions suit short sittings; the 365-day books ask for a few minutes daily for a year.

Are there devotionals written for men or women specifically?

Jesus First for Men targets men, Worry Less, Pray More targets women; Jesus Calling and Everyday Gospel address general readers.

Still deciding? Our top pickJesus Calling by Young

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See every Nonfiction list.

More lists: mother daughter devotionals, family devotionals and women’s daily devotionals.