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Your 20s hit different than anyone warned you about.
You’re figuring out who you are, what you believe, who to trust, and what God actually has to say about all of it — often simultaneously. The job uncertainty. The comparison spiral on social media. The friendships that shifted. The quiet Sunday mornings where you genuinely don’t know what you believe anymore.
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I’ve watched close friends walk through every single one of those seasons. And the ones who came out with their faith intact — stronger, actually — almost all had one thing in common: they were in God’s word every day, even for just ten minutes. Not perfectly. But consistently.
That’s what the best devotionals for 20 somethings do. They meet you where you are — busy schedule, short attention span, real questions — and pull you back into daily life with God.
I’ve pulled together the 7 best devotional books for this season of life. Whether you need gospel-depth, practical advice for the adulting struggle, or something that speaks directly to your identity as a young woman or man — there’s something here for you.
The 7 Best Devotionals for 20 Somethings, Reviewed
🏆 Best Overall
1. New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional
Author: Paul David Tripp | Pages: 400 | ★★★★★4.8 (10,887 ratings)
$13.03 on Amazon
If you only buy one devotional book from this entire list, make it this one.
Paul David Tripp writes a daily gospel devotional that does something rare: it grounds every single entry — 365 of them — in the good news of what God has already done through Jesus, not just what you need to do for God. For someone in their 20s trying to figure out if faith is real, or why they keep falling into the same patterns, that distinction is everything.
Each entry is short enough for a busy schedule but dense enough that you’ll sit with it. This isn’t a devotional that pats you on the head and sends you off. It reaches into your daily life and shows you where the word of God applies to the things you’re actually dealing with — comparison, identity, relationships, fear.
✅ Pros
Gospel-centered, not moralistic
Academically solid without being dry
Perfect length for daily devotions
Over 10,000 5-star reviews — proven
❌ Cons
Theological depth may feel heavy for beginners
Not specifically written for your 20s
Best for: Anyone who wants their daily bible readings to be theologically grounded, not just inspirational. Great for a small group to work through together, too.
Author: Sarah Young | Pages: 400 | ★★★★★4.9 (millions of copies sold)
$8.66 on Amazon
There’s a reason Jesus Calling by Sarah Young has been on nightstands for two decades. Not hype — results.
Each daily entry is written in first person, as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. It’s rooted in scripture verses and pairs biblical truth with an intimate, quiet tone that works beautifully for morning quiet time. If you struggle to sit still with God’s word, this is where to start. The entries are short, the language is accessible, and the presence of the heavenly father feels close.
A college roommate of mine read this every morning for her entire senior year. She said it was the only thing that kept her grounded through a brutal semester. She’s still reading it.
✅ Pros
Warm, intimate, and easy to read daily
Grounded in scripture references throughout
Accessible for new and seasoned Christians
Budget-friendly — cheapest on this list
❌ Cons
First-person voice feels off to some readers
Light on theological depth
Best for: First devotional books, daily quiet time habits, and anyone who needs to feel God’s presence more tangibly in their daily life.
This is the only book on this list written specifically for people in their 20s — and it shows.
Adulting Ain’t Easy tackles the real things: rejection, change, loneliness, trusting God’s plan when your plan keeps falling apart. It’s lighter in theological weight than New Morning Mercies, but it’s direct and honest about the spiritual journey of this specific season. The personal stories feel real, not staged.
It would make a great gift for a college graduate, someone starting their first job, or anyone who’s ever opened their phone at 11pm and wondered how everyone else seems to have it figured out.
✅ Pros
Written specifically for 20-somethings
Practical advice tied directly to scripture
Great graduation or birthday gift
Covers real 20s topics: social media, identity, loneliness
❌ Cons
Only 176 pages — not a full-year devotional
Fewer reviews than other options
Best for: Post-grad life, navigating change, and anyone who needs daily encouragement that speaks their language — not a language learned in seminary.
Lysa TerKeurst writes about the word of God with the kind of personal honesty that makes you feel less alone the moment you open the book.
Uninvited isn’t technically a daily devotional — it’s a full book. But the way it’s written, most young women read a chapter at a time and sit with it like a devotional study. It hits the specific pain of the 20s — the group chat you weren’t added to, the wedding you weren’t in, the job that went to someone else, the relationship that ended without warning. Lysa connects every bit of that pain back to God’s love, God’s word, and an intimate relationship with the heavenly father that doesn’t depend on whether the world includes you.
This one has 12,000+ ratings for a reason.
✅ Pros
Deeply honest personal stories from Lysa
Speaks directly to the 20s experience of rejection
Theologically grounded in God’s love
Works as a small group study too
❌ Cons
Not a structured 365-day devotional
Written primarily for Christian women
Best for: Young women navigating rejection, loneliness, or comparison — and anyone whose spiritual journey has run into the wall of feeling like they don’t belong.
5. The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations
Author: Joyce Meyer | ★★★★★4.8 (6,293 ratings)
$10.19 on Amazon
Joyce Meyer has been giving Christian women practical advice backed by biblical truth for decades. The Confident Woman Devotional is her most focused, daily-readable form of that gift.
Each of the 365 entries gives you a short reading, a scripture verse, and a clear call to action for your daily life. The tone is confident without being preachy. Joyce writes like she’s sat across the table from you and has seen exactly what you’re dealing with — because after decades of ministry, she probably has. This is a great way to start your morning with words of encouragement grounded in the power of prayer and the word of God.
✅ Pros
Full 365-day devotional study
Practical, actionable daily encouragement
Joyce Meyer’s voice is direct and clear
Over 6,000 ratings — proven track record
❌ Cons
Specifically for women
Some entries feel more self-help than gospel
Best for: Christian women who need daily encouragement to walk into their 20s with confidence — especially those battling self-doubt, fear, or a never-ending to-do list that leaves no room for God.
Sadie Robertson writes like your most spiritually grounded friend — the one who isn’t afraid to talk about faith, identity, and social media in the same sentence.
This devotional for young women is full of personal reflection, Bible verses, and real talk about living authentically in a world that constantly pushes you toward a different version of yourself. Sadie is young enough that the daily life of a 20-something isn’t abstract to her — she lived it in public, under pressure, and came out with her faith intact. That comes through on every page.
✅ Pros
Relatable, authentic voice
Speaks directly to social media, identity, comparison
Full of personal stories and scripture
Perfect for young women in college or early 20s
❌ Cons
Less theological depth than Tripp or Young
More inspiration than devotional study
Best for: Young women (teens through mid-20s) who want a deeper relationship with God and a daily walk that feels grounded in who they actually are — not who Instagram says they should be.
7. Kingdom Men Rising: A Daily Devotional for Christian Men
Author: Tony Evans | ★★★★★4.9 (1,699 ratings)
$16.62 on Amazon
Most men’s devotionals in their 20s are either too soft or too abstract. Tony Evans doesn’t have that problem.
Kingdom Men Rising is Tony Evans at his most direct — grounding young men in biblical truth about identity, purpose, and what it actually looks like to be a man of God in everyday life. The daily reflections are short, the scripture application is specific, and the overall message is clear: your 20s are the time to build a firm foundation, not to drift. This is one of the best devotional books for young men looking to grow in God’s presence without being talked down to.
✅ Pros
Highest-rated book on this list (4.9 stars)
Written specifically to call men higher
Rooted deeply in biblical wisdom
Daily bible readings with clear application
❌ Cons
Specifically for men
Most expensive option on this list
Best for: Young men who want more than passive faith — men who want to build a daily walk with the living God that actually shows up in how they lead their lives.
💡 Don’t Overlook the Free Option: YouVersion Bible App
The YouVersion Bible App has hundreds of free devotional plans built right in — including ones made specifically for young adults. If you’re not ready to buy a devotional book yet, or you want to try a format before committing, the YouVersion devotional apps are a great way to start daily devotions at no additional cost. Just search “20 somethings” or “young adult” in the Plans section and you’ll find solid options.
What Makes a Great Devotional for Your 20s?
Not all devotional books are built the same. Here’s what actually matters when you’re picking one for this season of life.
It has to speak to your daily life. A devotional for your 20s should meet you in the specific tension of this decade — identity, direction, relationships, faith that feels uncertain. Bible study materials that were written for retired women or married couples won’t land the same way.
It has to be short enough to actually do. Your busy schedule is real. The best daily devotionals for 20 somethings are designed to be done in under 15 minutes. That’s not laziness — that’s wisdom. Consistency beats length every time when it comes to spiritual growth.
It needs to point you to God’s word, not replace it. The devotional should be a bridge to scripture verses, not a substitute for them. The best devotional books leave you wanting to open your Bible, not close it.
It should have a specific topic or anchor. Broad, generic devotionals can feel aimless. The great options on this list each have a clear purpose — gospel depth, confidence, grief, identity, purpose for men — and that focus is what makes the daily entries feel relevant to your actual life.
Whether you start with a prayer journal alongside it, keep a set of Bible highlighters handy for marking passages, pair it with the YouVersion Bible app for daily bible readings, or just keep it on your nightstand and reach for it every morning — the most important thing is to start. Today is a good day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best devotional for someone in their 20s?
New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp is our top overall pick for its gospel depth and proven track record. If you want something written specifically for 20-somethings, Adulting Ain’t Easy by DaySpring is the most targeted option on this list.
Is Jesus Calling a good devotional for young adults?
Yes. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is one of the most widely read daily devotionals across every age group, and its short, quiet-time format works especially well for college students and young professionals who need a simple, consistent daily habit with God’s word. Its quiet moments format is accessible without being shallow.
What devotional apps are good for 20-somethings?
The YouVersion Bible App is the best free option. It includes hundreds of free reading plans specifically designed for young adults, daily life themes, and specific topics. For a paid app experience, Bible.com (the same team as YouVersion) has expanded devotional plans worth exploring.
What’s the best devotional for a young woman in her 20s?
It depends on where you are. If you’re struggling with loneliness or rejection, Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst is our strongest pick. If you want a 365-day devotional built around confidence and God’s word, Joyce Meyer’s Confident Woman Devotional delivers consistent daily encouragement. If you want a relatable, younger voice, Live Original Devotional by Sadie Robertson is the one.
Is there a devotional for men in their 20s?
Yes — Kingdom Men Rising Devotional by Tony Evans is the best on this list for young men. It’s direct, biblically grounded, and built around purpose and identity rather than generic inspiration. At 4.9 stars with nearly 1,700 ratings, it’s the highest-rated book in this roundup. For structured study resources to go alongside it, see our picks for the best Bible studies for men.
How long should I spend on a daily devotional?
Ten to fifteen minutes is the sweet spot for most people, especially with a busy schedule. The goal isn’t length — it’s consistency. Daily devotions done for 10 minutes every morning build a deeper relationship with the heavenly father over time than a two-hour session you do twice a month.
Do I need a devotional or can I just read the Bible?
You don’t need a devotional — but for many people in their 20s, the structure and context a good devotional provides makes it easier to engage with God’s word daily. Think of it as a guided entry point into bible study, not a replacement for it. The best devotionals increase your hunger for Scripture. When you’re ready to go deeper, our guide to the best NASB Bible will help you find the right translation for serious study.
Can I use a devotional with a small group?
Absolutely. New Morning Mercies and Uninvited both include material that works well for small group discussion. Uninvited even has a companion Bible study guide. Going through a devotional study with a few friends is one of the most practical ways to build real accountability and deeper community around God’s word.
Ready to Start Your Daily Devotion?
Pick the one that fits your season. Start tomorrow morning. Ten minutes is enough to begin.
George Hendricks is the founder and managing editor of Godsverse.org. He has written and published over 200 skit reviews, church resource guides, and Bible study articles. With a background in data-driven content strategy and digital publishing, George built Godsverse into one of the most comprehensive collections of church skit reviews and printable scripts online. When he's not writing, he's researching what churches actually need and figuring out how to deliver it.
