A distinction must be made between devotionals and prayer services.^[84] Possible occasions for devotionals could be church holidays or social events, but also memorial days or catastrophes. For example, devotionals can be held on Christmas Eve, Good Friday (hour of Christ’s death), Maundy Thursday (the institution of Holy Communion), or Ascension Day. Devotionals can also be used for evangelising or for fellowship with other confessions. A devotional always has a Christian content.

A devotional has no liturgical form. It is therefore not a special type of divine service. The presence of ministers is not necessary when conducting a devotional. Its sequence is determined by the person conducting it. A devotional is not conducted from the altar. There is no proclamation of the word as in a divine service, and no dispensation of sacraments or acts of blessing. A devotional begins and concludes with a prayer. There is no Trinitarian formula and no benediction.

The rector or district rector decides on whether a devotional may be conducted in the church building. Its format must be appropriate to the holiness of the place of worship.