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Dating is the time you build the foundation. Not the wedding. Not the honeymoon. The dating phase. When you establish consistent devotional practices and invite God’s word into your new relationship, you’re creating a strong foundation for lifelong love.
I’ve watched dating couples who prayed together before marriage handle hard seasons so much better. There’s something about letting God into your relationship before you’re legally bound that changes everything. When you embrace prayer life and scripture reading as part of your faith journey, you build spiritual intimacy from day one.
These six devotionals give you that structure—tools for daily devotional time and weekly couple’s devotions that foster deep spiritual connection. They’re not just romantic devotions. They’re real conversations about commitment, boundaries, faith, and what it means to invite God into your relationship when it matters most. Whether you’re looking for a couples devotional or guidance on premarital preparation, you’ll find spiritual disciplines that help christian couples grow together.
52 weekly devotions. Written by a real couple for dating couples seeking a daily commitment to prayer and reflection. Discussion questions included to deepen your meaningful conversations.
30 devotions. Ben Young. Focuses on spiritual intimacy and deep spiritual connection, perfect for christian dating couples wanting to strengthen their spiritual bond.
1. Closer: 52 Devotions for Dating Couples by Dave and Ashley Willis
Dave and Ashley Willis wrote this as a real couple living out their relationship. That authenticity shows on every page. They understand what dating couples need: practical guidance rooted in God’s word for building a strong foundation together.
52 weekly devotions. Each one is built for two people to read together and discuss. Scripture, reflection, and a question designed to spark conversation. No shallow stuff. Real questions about faith, commitment, and building something together. This couples devotional supports consistent devotional practice and meaningful conversations throughout your faith journey.
Why we chose it: Written by an actual couple. 4.7 stars. Best for the full year journey. Discussion questions keep you talking beyond the devotion itself. It’s an excellent resource for christian couples wanting to deepen their spiritual intimacy and grow together spiritually.
2. Devotions for Dating Couples by Ben Young and Samuel Adams
Ben Young is a relationship expert who’s worked with thousands of couples. This shows in his 30-devotion series designed for dating couples seeking spiritual growth and deeper connection.
Each devotion is shorter—perfect if you don’t have much time. But don’t let the length fool you. These dig into spiritual intimacy, vulnerability, and what it really means to invite God into your relationship during your faith journey. The daily reflection prompts encourage honest conversations and mutual accountability.
Why we chose it: 30 days instead of 52—faster entry for couples wanting daily devotional practice without overwhelming commitment. Ben Young’s expertise. Deep spiritual content in compact form that strengthens your spiritual bond.
3. Preparing Your Heart for Marriage by Gary Thomas
Gary Thomas writes with depth and warmth. This 30-day devotional is designed for engaged couples, but it works for serious dating couples pursuing premarital preparation too.
It’s less “couple stuff” and more “prepare yourself” before you say yes. That matters. Too many people rush into marriage without doing their own spiritual disciplines and personal prayer life first. This devotional time helps you build a spiritual foundation rooted in God’s word.
Why we chose it: Best for pre-wedding clarity and spiritual growth. Gary Thomas’s warm voice. Focuses on individual faith journey and spiritual readiness, not just couple bonding. Perfect for godly dating couples seeking to grow together spiritually.
Tim Keller intended this book for serious dating couples and engaged couples. It’s theology wrapped in real stories about godly relationships rooted in scripture reading.
Not a daily devotional—it’s a full book you work through together as a couples devotional resource. Dense, profound, and designed to make you think deeply about marriage, God’s purpose, and what you’re really committing to. Working through this together strengthens spiritual intimacy and your faith journey as a couple.
Why we chose it: Best for christian couples wanting theological depth and spiritual growth. Keller’s reputation for clarity on God’s word. Intended for dating couples specifically seeking a christ-centered understanding of marriage.
5. Engaged Couples Devotional: 52 Weeks by Tiffany Nicole
52 weeks of practical focus grounded in God’s word. Not flowery. Not overly spiritual. Just solid devotions that help you prepare for actual married life as christian couples committed to godly dating.
Covers communication, finances, family dynamics, and faith. The things you actually need to talk about before the wedding through structured weekly couple’s devotions. This couples devotional resource emphasizes intentional relationships built on spiritual disciplines.
Why we chose it: Best year-long premarital preparation. 52 weeks keeps momentum in your faith journey. Focuses on real marriage prep through daily personal devotions adapted for couples, not just romance. Excellent for dating couples wanting to build a strong foundation.
6. Boundaries in Dating by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Cloud and Townsend wrote the book on boundaries. This one is specifically designed for dating couples seeking to establish intentional relationships with healthy limits.
It’s not a daily devotional—it’s more of a workbook. But read it together through structured couple’s devotional sessions. Have the hard conversations it prompts. Boundaries before marriage are easier than fixing boundary issues after. This resource supports premarital preparation and helps godly dating couples honor spiritual disciplines.
Why we chose it: Best for hard conversations between dating couples. 4,800+ reviews. Covers what christian couples actually need: clarity on physical boundaries, family involvement, red flags, and when to walk away. It strengthens spiritual intimacy by fostering honest communication rooted in faith values.
Every devotional in this list was chosen because it helps dating couples do something specific: build a stronger marriage before they ever get to the altar. Starting a daily devotional journey together is one of the most practical steps a couple can take toward lasting spiritual connection. The personal walk each person has with God individually is what fuels the walk they take together. When two people are each deepening their own relationship with Scripture — especially through curated bible passages designed for couples — they bring more to the relationship, not less.
The best books in this category also help couples think through the deeper stuff: shared commitment, long-term vision, and the kind of important love relationships built on trust rather than emotion alone. Some couples work through the commandments of dating in these books — biblical principles that reshape what courtship looks like. That daily investment, however small, is what adds up to a lifetime of love.
Every devotional in this list was chosen because it helps dating couples do something specific: build a stronger marriage before they ever get to the altar. Starting a daily devotional journey together is one of the most practical steps a couple can take toward lasting spiritual connection. The personal walk each person has with God individually is what fuels the walk they take together. When two people are each deepening their own relationship with Scripture — especially through curated bible passages designed for couples — they bring more to the relationship, not less.
The best books in this category also help couples think through the deeper stuff: shared commitment, long-term vision, and the kind of important love relationships built on trust rather than emotion alone. Some couples work through the commandments of dating in these books — biblical principles that reshape what courtship looks like. That daily investment, however small, is what adds up to a lifetime of love.
Every devotional in this list was chosen because it helps dating couples do something specific: build a stronger marriage before they ever get to the altar. Starting a daily devotional journey together is one of the most practical steps a couple can take toward lasting spiritual connection. The personal walk each person has with God individually is what fuels the walk they take together. When two people are each deepening their own relationship with Scripture — especially through curated bible passages designed for couples — they bring more to the relationship, not less.
The best books in this category also help couples think through the deeper stuff: shared commitment, long-term vision, and the kind of important love relationships built on trust rather than emotion alone. Some couples work through the commandments of dating in these books — biblical principles that reshape what courtship looks like. That daily investment, however small, is what adds up to a lifetime of love.
Buying Guide: Which Devotional Is Right for You?
Choosing the right couples devotional means understanding your dating relationship stage and your spiritual goals. Whether you’re building a strong foundation for lifelong love, deepening your spiritual bond, or preparing for premarital counseling, there’s a resource here. The key is consistent devotional practice—setting aside devotional time regularly helps you cultivate meaningful conversations and spiritual intimacy through shared daily reading plans.
If You Have One Year Together
Get Closer: 52 Devotions for Dating Couples. One devotion a week builds consistent devotional practice and spiritual growth. This couples devotional helps christian couples stay connected through scripture reading, prayer life, and meaningful conversations all the way through engagement into lifelong love.
If You Want to Move Fast
Pick Devotions for Dating Couples by Ben Young. 30 days of daily devotional time and spiritual growth. High quality. You can work through it in a month and see if you want to establish a longer daily commitment to consistent devotional practice as a couple.
If You’re Getting Engaged Soon
Preparing Your Heart for Marriage by Gary Thomas. 30 days of premarital preparation grounded in God’s word. Pre-wedding focus on spiritual disciplines and personal faith journey. Helps you spiritually prepare before saying yes through intentional daily reflection.
If You Want Depth Over Dailies
The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller. Not a daily devotional. A full book to work through together as a couples devotional resource. Theology plus real marriage reflection rooted in scripture reading and spiritual disciplines.
If You’re Engaged and Want Practical Prep
Engaged Couples Devotional: 52 Weeks. Year-long premarital preparation through weekly couple’s devotions. Covers the actual topics you need to discuss through meaningful conversations: money, family, communication, and faith rooted in God’s word.
If You Need to Talk About Boundaries
Boundaries in Dating. This is essential reading for christian dating couples building godly relationships. Physical boundaries, emotional boundaries, family dynamics, red flags. Have the hard conversations now through structured couple’s devotional sessions that deepen spiritual intimacy.
Beyond Devotionals: Building Complete Spiritual Intimacy
These couples devotionals are just the start. They establish consistent devotional practice and strengthen your faith journey together, but there’s more you can explore to build a complete spiritual foundation for your relationship. For the full range of christian marriage resources we recommend—from books to Bible studies and more—check out our Christian marriage resources hub.
Once you’re engaged or newly married, transition from dating devotionals to a deeper marriage Bible study—they’re built for couples or small groups and provide the kind of in-depth biblical principles and spiritual growth that strengthen your foundation. For a wider reading list beyond devotionals, see our picks for the best Christian books on marriage.
If you’re in your twenties and dating, you might also like our roundup of devotionals for 20-somethings—some are perfect for dating couples seeking resources tailored to your life stage. Whether you’re building godly relationships, establishing prayer together, or deepening spiritual intimacy, there’s a resource that fits your journey.
Several of these devotionals were written by relationship experts Ben Young and others who specialize in helping dating couples develop the spiritual habits that lead to a thriving marriage. You’ll find discussions of what it means to truly be each other’s soul mate in the biblical sense — a chosen companion, not a romantic myth. Many of the scripture references use the New King James Version (NKJV), though the principles apply across translations. The books that land best are described as dynamic and user-friendly — approachable for couples who are new to structured devotional reading together.
What separates an average couples devotional from an exceptional one comes down to its couple’s devotional features: guided questions, journaling prompts, and user-friendly tips that make it easy to actually sit down together and engage. The best of these books address both first marriages and those entering a second marriage, since the dynamics differ and the scripture-based wisdom applies to both. They also tackle the commandments of marriage as drawn from scripture — honoring one another, pursuing unity, and building a covenant that goes deeper than feelings.
Many of the devotionals here draw on the work of marriage experts like Leslie Parrott, who coauthored several foundational studies on marriage preparation and early relationship habits. These books function as a dating couple’s devotional journal as much as a reading guide — helping each potential mate articulate what they believe and what they need before the wedding. The daily devotions format works especially well for busy couples, since it only asks for full attention for a few minutes each day. A good marriage devotional is one of the most practical marriage gift ideas for an engaged couple.
Scripture translation matters when choosing a devotional. Many of the best books on this list use the New International Version for its readability, though several also include passages from the New Revised Standard Version or the English Standard Version for deeper doctrinal precision. When the devotional asks couples to examine their inner lives — their fears, assumptions, and hopes about marriage — the clarity of the translation helps make Jesus Christ the center of the conversation rather than a footnote. Understanding the essence of a true soulmate relationship through scripture is what separates these books from secular relationship guides, and why they deliver the richer marriage you desire.
Translation accessibility matters when choosing a devotional for couples dating who may be newer to scripture. The New International Reader’s Version (NIrV) shows up in several entry-level devotionals as an approachable bridge for those unfamiliar with the text. The goal isn’t just academic — it’s to help each person discover their best life as God designed it in the context of a committed relationship. Setting aside time each day to read together — even 10 minutes — creates a truly exhilarating experience of spiritual growth as a couple. The devotionals on this list are specifically designed to support marriage success by building the habits of prayer, honesty, and mutual accountability before the wedding day arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we both have to read every devotional?
Yes, if you want the benefit. These are designed for dating couples to read together and discuss as part of consistent devotional practice. Couples devotionals create spiritual intimacy and meaningful conversations that strengthen your faith journey together. If one person reads alone, you lose half the power.
Should we read daily or weekly?
Depends on your schedule. If you see each other daily, daily devotionals and daily reading plans work great for building consistent devotional practice and strong foundation. If it’s long-distance, weekly couple’s devotions make more sense. Most of these devotional resources are flexible enough to fit your dating relationship.
What if my boyfriend/girlfriend isn’t interested in devotionals?
That’s important information. A healthy christian relationship should include prayer together, scripture reading, and prayer life rooted in God’s word. If your partner refuses couples devotional practice, that’s worth talking about before marriage—it indicates differences in spiritual growth priorities. Consider Boundaries in Dating—it might help him or her understand why building spiritual intimacy and intentional relationships matters for your future together.
Can we use these if we’re not engaged yet?
Absolutely. Most are written for dating couples specifically—they support your faith journey and spiritual growth at any stage. Engagement is one possibility, not a requirement. Couples devotionals strengthen godly dating relationships regardless of where they’re headed.
Are these books too religious?
If you’re a christian couple and dating, this is the right level of religious. If you’re not Christian or still figuring it out, you might want to talk to your partner first about what you both believe. God’s word and spiritual intimacy are central to these devotional resources because they help godly dating couples build their relationship on the strongest foundation possible.
Which one do we start with?
Start with Closer if you have a year together and want consistent devotional practice that deepens spiritual intimacy. Start with Ben Young’s Devotions if you want to establish daily devotional time before committing to 52 weeks. Start with Boundaries in Dating if you know you need to have hard conversations about intentional relationships and godly dating practices.
Jane is a Roman Catholic on a journey of re-learning about God and deepening her understanding of the Bible. She has over a decade of experience as a copywriter. Her goal is to blend her passion for writing with her spiritual journey. She writes content that doesn’t just uplift but also connects with people who wish to seek a deeper understanding of God’s word. Follow Jane on LinkedIn or Instagram.
