The First Spiritual Habit Every Man Must Build

My favorite opening scene in any movie is the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. The landing craft hits the surf at Omaha Beach, the ramp drops, and then everything erupts into pure chaos. Bullets are ripping through the water. Orders are shouted. The soldiers hit the ground running. They know that hesitation is deadly. But as chaotic as it is, this is what they trained for. And every man is geared up. Helmet. Rifle. Ammo. Pack. They have checked and rechecked their equipment. They are ready.

That’s exactly the preparedness that Paul is calling us to in Ephesians 6.

In Ephesians 6, Paul tells believers that they need a battle plan in order to have daily victory. He begins this way: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11, NIV). Then he goes on to describe the spiritual battle every believer faces and the armor that protects us.

Pause for a moment. Think about it.

Imagine a soldier storming into battle without his weapon, gear, or comms.

An athlete showing up to compete with no conditioning.

A builder starting construction with no blueprint.

The point is simple: we need a battle plan.

When I first started attending church as a teenager, the youth leaders told me I needed to have a daily quiet time. I was willing, but I had no idea exactly what that was. It sounded like something monks probably do.

Then I heard other people call it personal devotions. Then it was time alone with God. Your daily encounter. Time in the Word. Abide time. It all sounded so spiritual. Probably intended for saints and martyrs. Or maybe those missionaries in Africa. Definitely not for a teenage boy from a broken home.

But then I actually started doing it. A short, carved‑out time each morning. Getting quiet before the Lord. Opening His Book and reading a small portion of Scripture. Spending a few minutes in prayer. Every…single…day.

And it changed me. It shaped me. Not all at once. Not in one dramatic moment. But slowly, steadily, over time.

One morning at a time.

One small habit at a time.

One quiet meeting with God at a time.

Four decades later, I’m still doing it. And I can say with confidence that those simple, daily moments with God have done more to form me and prepare me for life’s battles than anything else. I found the words of George Müller to be true: “The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.”

What It Includes

Start with Scripture. 

Read a passage. It can be a chapter, a paragraph, or even a few verses. Go through a book of the Bible. Or use a YouVersion devotional if that helps you get started. It doesn’t have to be long, especially in the beginning. Read it, then read it again. Before you start, ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word. That simple prayer opens your heart.

Then spend some time in prayer. 

If this is new, use something simple like the ACTS pattern:

Adoration. Confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication.

Or walk through the Lord’s Prayer, section by section, as a template. It gives your prayer structure.

And then be still. 

Just sit quietly before the Lord. It might only be sixty seconds. That’s fine. Stillness is a discipline too.

You can build on all of this over time. Add journaling. Add longer readings. Add deeper prayer rhythms. But this is a great starting point.

The key is consistency. Not perfection. Not length. Just showing up every morning to prepare for the battle ahead. Some days you won’t have much time, and that is ok. Other days, linger with the Lord.

Action Steps

• Choose your Scripture plan. 

• Pick a book of the Bible, or select a short YouVersion reading plan. Keep it simple.

• Set your time.

• Carve out a short window tomorrow morning. Ten minutes is enough to start.

• Read and reread. Read the passage slowly. Read it again. Ask the Lord to speak through His Word.

• Pray with some structure. Use ACTS if you’re new to prayer. Or walk through the Lord’s Prayer one section at a time.

• Be still. Sit quietly before the Lord for sixty seconds. Let your soul settle.

• Repeat tomorrow.

Ask Yourself

• How am I actually doing with my personal battle plan each day, and what needs to change for it to be stronger?

• What is getting in the way of me being more consistent in this daily habit, and why am I allowing it to stop me?

• What will my plan be tomorrow morning in order to meet with the Lord and prepare for the battle ahead?

Additional Resources

• YouVersion Bible App Reading Plans 

• The Bible Project Book Overviews