1. Begin with a Prayerful Focus

Cultivating a calm and receptive mindset before diving into any reading session sets the tone for better comprehension. As it is written, “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). A short prayer or moment of quiet reflection can clear mental clutter and help you absorb words at a faster pace.

2. Commit to Zero Distractions

To truly speed up your reading, clear your environment of anything that pulls your attention away—like social media or unnecessary background noise. Remember the wise counsel, “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead” (Proverbs 4:25). By focusing your gaze, you’ll train your brain to process information more quickly.

3. Skim First, Then Dive Deeper

A quick preview of what you’re about to read helps your mind anticipate key ideas. This supports faster reading because you’re already primed for what’s coming next. As Scripture says, “Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom, and whatever you may acquire, gain understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). With that initial pass, you’ll gain the groundwork to read more efficiently.

4. Use a Pointer to Guide Your Eyes

Whether it’s your finger or a bookmark on a screen, a guiding pointer keeps your eyes from wandering. Think of Philip helping the Ethiopian by guiding him through Scripture (see Acts 8). A simple physical guide can keep you on track and help you pick up velocity without sacrificing comprehension.

5. Strengthen Focus through Active Engagement

Take quick mental notes or highlight key phrases as you go. These mini actions keep your mind alert and curb daydreaming. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22) can apply to reading, too—engage actively, and your reading pace naturally increases.

6. Expand Your Sight-Reading Range

Practice taking in more words at once instead of reading each word slowly. With time, you’ll train your eyes to capture phrases or entire lines. This principle echoes the spirit of, “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)—expand your horizons and keep refining your methods.

7. Set Small, Reachable Goals

If you push yourself too hard, it’s tempting to give up. Instead, aim for incremental gains—like finishing one chapter swiftly before moving on. Recall, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize” (Philippians 3:14). A sense of steady progress motivates you to keep improving your reading pace.

8. Reflect on Context and Meaning

Speed matters, but so does depth. Pause briefly to summarize your reading in your own words. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction” (2 Timothy 3:16). Reflecting ensures that you’re not just zipping through words but truly grasping what you read.

9. Read Different Types of Books

Practice with a wide range of material—devotionals, biographies, fiction, study guides—to challenge your mind across various writing styles. In the spirit of continued growth, “Make every effort to add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5). Mixing it up sharpens your readiness to tackle anything at a quick pace.

10. Stay Encouraged and Keep Going

Speed reading is a skill developed over time, so keep your eyes on the ultimate purpose of understanding and growing. Seek grace in the journey, remembering: “Make every effort to present yourself approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15). A consistent, upbeat attitude will help you persevere and reach new levels of reading efficiency.