How To Have A Quiet Time With God
In today’s busy world, making time to connect with God each day can seem challenging. However, having a daily quiet time is essential for growing in our relationship with Him. If you’re wondering how to have meaningful quiet time with God, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the what, why, when, where and how.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Set aside 15-30 minutes each morning before your day gets busy to read a passage of Scripture, meditate on it, pray, and listen for God’s voice. Find a quiet spot alone where you can remove distractions and focus.
Come with an open heart, ready to learn, grow, and draw near to Him.
Why Have a Quiet Time?
Grow closer to God
Having a consistent quiet time is one of the most important ways to grow in your relationship with God. Setting aside quiet time to pray, read the Bible, and listen to God’s voice allows you to connect with Him on a deeper level.
As you carve out regular time with the Lord each day, you’ll find that your love and dependence on Him increases. Your understanding of His character grows as you read His Word and see how He interacts with people. A quiet time helps transform your mind and heart to become more like Christ.
Hear God’s voice
A quiet time also creates space to hear God speak to you. As you read Scripture, the Holy Spirit can give you revelation, wisdom and insight for applying biblical truths to your life. Through prayer, God may place desires on your heart, reveal sin that needs confession, or give you guidance about a decision.
Listening to God is crucial for knowing His will and walking in obedience. Setting aside quiet time positions you to tune out the noise of life and tune into the voice of the Shepherd. He wants to lead you each day.
Find guidance and wisdom for life
Life is filled with challenges and important decisions that require wisdom and discernment. A quiet time equips you to handle these situations in God-honoring ways. As you abide in Scripture, biblical principles become ingrained in your mind and heart.
The Holy Spirit brings these truths to remembrance when you need guidance. Immersing yourself in God’s Word renews your mind to think biblically (Romans 12:2). It orients your heart to God’s values and perspectives when making choices.
A consistent quiet time will equip you with wisdom beyond your years.
Be refreshed and encouraged
This world can be very wearying, but time alone with God is profoundly refreshing for the soul. As you worship in song and prayer, you feel the strength and joy of the Lord. Reading encouraging Bible passages and meditating on God’s promises fills you with indestructible hope.
Nothing can revive your spirit more than basking in God’s presence and soaking in the truths of Scripture. Quiet time prepares and equips you to handle all of life’s ups and downs with stability, peace, and faith. It’s like a spiritual recharge to energize you for your day!
When to Have Quiet Time
Early morning before your day gets busy
Waking up early to spend time with God before the busyness of the day begins is often seen as the ideal time for quiet time. Early mornings tend to be quiet and peaceful, allowing you to focus your thoughts on God without distractions.
Many devotional writers emphasize starting the day by inviting God into it first thing in the morning. As the old saying goes, “The early bird gets the worm.” Beginning your quiet time first thing sets a positive tone for your whole day.
Same time each day to build a habit
Choosing the same time every day helps quiet time become a consistent habit. Our schedules vary day to day, so picking a regular time provides some needed structure. For example, you might choose to spend time with God during your commute, over your morning coffee, or before you go to bed.
If you do it at the same time daily, it’s more likely to stick. Just like exercise or meditation, consistency makes spiritual disciplines more beneficial.
For at least 15-30 focused minutes
It’s best to set aside at least 15-30 minutes for quiet time with God. This allows you to really dig into His Word and be still before Him. With less time, it’s hard to get past surface-level engagement.
While there’s no magic number, studies show it takes an average of 15 minutes to relax and focus one’s thoughts. Setting a timer can help you stay on track time-wise. If you can only do 10 minutes some days, that’s great too! The key is regularly carving out dedicated time, even if you start small.
Where to Have Quiet Time
A quiet spot without distractions
Finding a peaceful, quiet location is key to having an effective quiet time with God (1). Distractions like phone notifications, chatter from others, or a loud TV can disrupt your focus and meditation.
Consider places like your bedroom, back patio, a park bench, or your vehicle parked in an isolated area.
Somewhere you can be alone and focus
Solitude allows you to dive deep into Scripture and prayer without outside influences. Popular quiet spots include a garden corner with lush greenery, a comfy chair facing natural scenery outdoors, or a reading nook in your home (2).
Silencing your phone and placing a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door can help you concentrate.
A comfortable place you can relax
When you feel at ease in your surroundings, your mind and body can fully receive God’s presence. Loose-fitting clothes, your favorite blanket, a hot cup of tea, calm worship music in the background, and subdued lighting promote relaxation.
Reclining on your couch, sitting cross-legged on your bedroom floor with a pillow, or resting against a tree trunk are soothing positions.
Experts recommend starting small with 5-10 minutes per day, then gradually increasing your quiet time as focusing gets easier (3). Be patient with yourself and do not get discouraged. God promises that when we earnestly seek Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).
Ready your heart through prayer and Scripture reading, tune into God’s voice, and cherish your special times together.
References:
(2) https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/how-to-have-a-quiet-time-11638845.html
(3) https://www.christianity.com/wiki/prayer/how-to-have-a-quiet-time.html
What to Include in Quiet Time
Bible reading and meditation
Setting aside time each day to read and reflect on the Bible is essential for developing intimacy with God. Start by reading a chapter or a few verses slowly and carefully. Meditate on what you read by thinking deeply about the meaning and how it applies to your life.
Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal insights and speak to your heart as you read (John 16:13). Writing down thoughts in a journal can help you remember what God showed you.
Prayer and listening
Quiet time is incomplete without prayer. Share your heart with God – your joys, concerns, frustrations, and desires. Make your prayers conversational, talking to God like you would your closest friend. Then take time to listen in silence for His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12).
He may speak words of encouragement, revelation or direction into your spirit. As you listen, write down anything He impresses upon you.
Worship and praise
Entering God’s presence through worship is vital for the quiet time. Listen to worship music, sing praise songs, or just tell God how amazing He is. Worship shifts your focus from yourself to God, renewing your spirit. As you exalt Him, the cares of life fade away.
You can read Psalms out loud as a form of worship. Remember that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3).
Journaling thoughts and revelations
Journaling allows you to record impressions from your quiet time. Writing things down helps you process thoughts and hear from God more clearly. It also enables you to look back on previous entries and see how God has led you.
Your journal is a place to write prayer requests, questions you have for God, Scriptures He highlights, sermon notes, and anything the Holy Spirit speaks to you. Regular journaling will strengthen your relationship with God as you revisit His faithfulness over time.
Setting aside undistracted time to be with God each day is vital for the growth of every believer. A quiet time nourishes your spirit with truth, shifts your focus back to the eternal, renews your mind, and strengthens your faith.
If you make seeking God your first priority, everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:33). Be consistent, and you’ll experience transformation in every area of life as you come to know Him more intimately.
How to Approach Quiet Time
Approaching quiet time with God requires intentionally setting aside focused time to connect with Him. Here are some tips for making the most of your quiet time:
Come ready to learn with an open heart
Come to your quiet time eager to hear from God. Lay down distractions and open your heart to what He wants to teach you through His Word and Spirit. Pray for Him to speak to you and reveal areas He wants you to grow in.
Remove distractions and focus fully
Find a quiet spot and minimize anything competing for your attention. Put away your phone, turn off the TV, and close distracting apps on your computer. Give God your full focus so you can meditate deeply on His Word and listen for His voice.
Have a plan but be flexible to God’s leading
It helps to have a plan for your quiet time, like reading a chapter in the Bible or studying a devotional. But also be open to lingering longer on a verse or insight God impresses on you. Follow His lead each day for what He wants you to focus on rather than rigidly sticking to a plan.
Actively engage through Scripture meditation and prayer
Don’t just passively read the Bible. Meditate on verses, writing down key thoughts and praying over the passage. Have a conversation with God about what you’re reading. Actively engage your mind, heart, and spirit to get the most out of your time with Him.
Approaching quiet time with intentionality and an open heart before God sets the stage for amazing encounters with Him. Follow His lead each day and watch your relationship with Him deepen.
Conclusion
Having a daily quiet time is one of the most important habits you can develop in your walk with God. Setting aside focused time to connect with Him, study His Word, communicate through prayer, and listen for His voice will transform your relationship with Him.
Apply these tips for when, where, and how to have meaningful quiet time each day. As you faithfully meet with God regularly, you’ll grow deeper in your knowledge of Him and find power, wisdom, encouragement, and refreshment for each day.
