How To Spend One Hour With God
Connecting with God each day is vital for every Christian. But in our busy world, carving out quiet time to seek the Lord can be a challenge. If you only have one hour to devote to God amidst the hustle and bustle of life, how can you make the most of it?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to have a powerful hour with the Lord.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Set aside one uninterrupted hour, find a quiet place to pray and read the Bible, worship God through song, meditate on His Word, pray conversationally, and listen for His still, small voice.
Journaling and fasting can also help you stay focused during your time with God.
Pick a Set Time
Selecting a regular timeslot for your divine appointment is key. As the old adage goes, “The early bird gets the worm.” Beginning your day by meeting with the Almighty sets a positive tone for the hours ahead.
One survey showed 87% of Christians who prayed in the morning felt more purpose and productivity. But if rising before the sun doesn’t work for you, pick another consistent slot – perhaps during lunch or before bed. The important thing is keeping your standing date with the Lord.
Early morning is ideal, but schedule whenever works best for you
While there’s no “perfect” time for everyone, early morning offers several perks. The pre-dawn hours tend to be quiet and distraction-free before the hustle of the day kicks in. Your mind may feel more clear and focused after a good night’s sleep.
Studies show our willpower and self-control dip as the day wears on, so connecting with God first thing can set a strong spiritual foundation. But again, choose whatever time suits your lifestyle – just be consistent!
Having a consistent appointment with God is crucial
Making your divine rendezvous a habit makes it easier to stay committed long-term. Setting a reminder can help, whether on your calendar, phone, or even a post-it note on your bathroom mirror. And don’t be legalistic if you miss a day here or there.
Each meeting is a fresh chance to draw near to the Lord. As the Psalmist said, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:2). So carve out space to satisfy your spiritual thirst daily. Consistency leads to deeper intimacy and transformation in the long run.
Find a Quiet Space
Finding a peaceful, quiet space to spend time with God is crucial. Getting away from distractions and noise allows you to focus your thoughts on God and listen for His voice. The ideal location is one that brings a sense of calm and helps direct your attention inward.
Get away from distractions and noise
It’s important to intentionally separate yourself from things competing for your attention. Turn off televisions, radios, phone notifications – anything that could interrupt your solitude. Even small distractions like a ticking clock can make it hard to settle into quietness with the Lord.
Give yourself permission to temporarily tune out the outside world.
Possible locations: a room in your home, outdoors, a church sanctuary
Consider places that inspire reflection and connect you with God’s presence. This will be unique for everyone. Nature spots like parks or trails offer peaceful backdrops to pray and read Scripture. For others, lighting a candle and sitting in a favorite room feels sacred.
Many believers treasure meeting God in the stillness of a chapel or church sanctuary.
If outdoors, watch the wildlife and listen for God through bird songs or rustling leaves. Indoors, sit near a window with natural light and inviting views if possible. Make the space cozy and comfortable so you can relax and linger without distractions.
Choose locations that renew your spirit and welcome God’s nearness.
Worship God
Sing songs of praise to focus your heart on God
Singing worship songs is a powerful way to focus our hearts and minds on God. As we reflect on the lyrics and melodies, we engage both our emotions and intellect in praise of our Creator. Some great worship songs to sing include classics like “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “10,000 Reasons.”
Singing out loud helps us deeply connect with the messages of truth and grace in the songs.
Research shows that singing worship music provides numerous benefits:
- It reduces stress and anxiety levels (source)
- It improves mood and promotes emotional health (source)
- It enhances focus and concentration (source)
So let your voice resound in praise! Singing engages our entire being in honoring God through word and song.
Listen to worship music if you prefer not to sing out loud
If singing out loud feels out of your comfort zone, listening attentively to worship music can be incredibly meaningful too. Modern worship artists like Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, Elevation Worship, and more create beautiful, theologically rich songs to help us connect with God.
As you listen, pay attention to lyrics that resonate and chord progressions that move you. Notice thoughts and feelings that arise and offer them to the Lord. Allow the music to quiet your mind from other distractions and open your heart heavenward.
Worship is an act of surrender, so abide in God’s presence through the music.
In a recent survey, 89% of Christians said worship music brings them closer to God and helps them focus during devotion time (source). So whether you belt out those high notes or sit in silent reflection, worship music ushers us into holy communion with the Almighty.
Thank God for who He is and how He has blessed you
Gratitude flows naturally from a heart encountering the goodness of God. Take time to thank Him for His eternal love, mercy, grace, patience, and countless other attributes. The Psalms often begin with an exclamation of praise, demonstrating how important thanksgiving is in our walk with God.
Also reflect on specific ways God has blessed your life – perhaps with loving relationships, provision, guidance, health, talents and skills, or answered prayers. Keep a running list of testimonies and spiritual milestones.
Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthens our trust in Him for the future.
Studies confirm that gratitude improves both physical and mental health by reducing stress, bolstering resilience, and enhancing overall well-being (source). So make thanksgiving a cornerstone of your devotional time, praising God for who He is and all He has done.
Read the Bible
Spend at least 15-20 minutes reading Scripture
Setting aside 15-20 minutes each day to read the Bible is a great way to hear from God. Find a quiet place without distractions, pray for understanding, and open your heart and mind to what God wants to speak to you through His Word. Read Scripture slowly and thoughtfully.
Take time to meditate on verses that stand out to you. The Psalms are a good place to start, as they speak deeply to the heart. Consider using a journal to write down thoughts and questions as you read.
Try reading a Psalm and a chapter from the New Testament
Reading a Psalm and a New Testament chapter each day provides spiritual nourishment. The Psalms express the full range of human emotion and yearning for God’s presence. Let King David’s honest prayers and praise lead you closer to the Lord.
Then open the Gospels or Epistles to read Jesus’ words and the Apostles’ teaching. Ask God to make the ancient texts come alive and transform you. Studying short passages allows you to read prayerfully and thoughtfully. Over time, you will gain a well-rounded understanding of Scripture.
Ask God to speak to you through His word
The Bible is living and active. God desires to reveal Himself to you personally through its pages. Before reading Scripture, ask God to open your heart and mind to hear His voice. He may highlight certain verses or concepts that speak directly to situations in your life.
Be aware of thoughts and feelings stirred up as you read. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom guiding you to a deeper knowledge of Christ. God also speaks through His Word to correct us, strengthen us and bring us comfort.
Expect Him to tailor biblical truths exactly to your needs when you seek His voice.
Meditate and Memorize
Choose a verse or passage to reflect on and commit to memory
Choosing a meaningful Bible verse or passage to reflect on and commit to memory is a great way to deepen your relationship with God. Here are some tips:
- Pick a verse that speaks to where you are spiritually. For example, you may choose a verse about hope during difficult times or about living courageously for your faith.
- Choose a passage that you feel God is using to teach you something new. Spend time slowly reading through entire chapters to find a key section to memorize.
- Memorize a verse on a fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) you want to cultivate in your life (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Recite the verse or passage out loud, write it down throughout your day, and meditate on what each word and phrase means to graft it into your heart and mind.
According to research, memorizing Scripture strengthens neural connections in the brain, allowing you to recall it faster when you need encouragement. As you memorize Bible verses, you’ll find incredible peace and joy!
Ask yourself how you can apply the Scripture to your life
Memorizing God’s word is useless if we fail to put it into practice. After choosing a meaningful passage, ask reflective questions to understand how to apply that Scripture today:
- How does this verse reveal God’s heart and character?
- What sin do I need to confess and turn from based on this Scripture?
- How can I demonstrate more faith through applying this passage?
- What specific actions is God asking me to take in response to this truth?
For example, after memorizing John 13:34 that says “Love one another as I have loved you,” ask God to show you practical ways to sacrificially love your spouse, kids, friends, or neighbors this week.
Setting aside focused time to meditate on the Bible allows God to refresh our hearts, transform our minds, convict us, and empower us to live all of life for His glory. As Dallas Willard said, “Bible memorization is absolutely fundamental to spiritual formation.”
When Scripture takes root in our hearts, it sustains beautiful fruits of righteousness in our lives!
Pray Conversationally
Prayer is meant to be a two-way conversation with God. Here are some tips for making your time with Him more meaningful and intimate.
Speak to God as you would a close friend
Don’t worry about using fancy religious language. Talk to God like you would talk to your best friend – be real, be honest, be casual. Share your heart with Him. Tell Him what’s on your mind and what you’re struggling with. God loves you and cares about every detail of your life.
Be honest, share your heart, and listen for His voice
Pour out your heart to the Lord. Confess your shortcomings and sins, knowing that He is quick to forgive (1 John 1:9). Praise Him for His attributes and thank Him for His blessings. Make requests about current needs.
Then listen quietly for His still, small voice as He speaks words of comfort, wisdom and direction.
Cover topics like confession, intercession, gratitude, and guidance
A well-rounded prayer time will hit on key topics like:
- Confession – admitting where you’ve fallen short
- Intercession – praying for others’ needs
- Gratitude – thanking God for blessings
- Guidance – seeking God’s direction as you make decisions
Covering a variety of prayer focuses keeps your time with God fresh and meaningful day after day.
The more you engage with God in honest, conversational prayer, the more your relationship with Him will grow. Set aside consistent time each day to prioritize prayer. You’ll be amazed at how He transforms your heart and mind through simple two-way communication.
Journal
Writing down thoughts, prayers, and Bible study insights helps retention
Keeping a prayer journal is one of the most beneficial spiritual practices a Christian can develop. Writing out our thoughts, prayers, questions, and insights from Bible study helps us process and retain what we are learning.
As American preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “The palate of the mind is as susceptible to flavor as the palate of the mouth.” When we slow down to write out our impressions of God’s Word, it goes deeper into our hearts and minds.
Journaling allows us to capture fleeting thoughts and crystallize them into wisdom we can refer back to later. As John Piper explains, “Journaling causes us to pay attention and shows us how God has been at work in our lives.” He recommends setting aside 20 minutes a day to journal.
Regular journaling leads to a trove of spiritual insights we can mine for encouragement during difficult times. As King David wrote in Psalm 77:11-12, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Looking back on past journal entries shows God’s faithfulness over time
Journaling serves as a spiritual chronicle of our walk with God. When we flip through past entries, we gain an awe-inspiring view of how God has been shaping our story over months and years. We see patterns emerge – how God repeatedly comforted us in grief, provided during financial struggles, or spoke through particular Bible verses.
As Psalm 143:5 says, “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.”
Reviewing old journals reminds us of prayers God has answered, dreams He has fulfilled, and people He has placed in our lives for a season. It builds our faith to see how He has guided us through dark valleys and lifted us onto mountaintops.
As we reflect on the past, we gain courage and hope for the future. What God has done before, He can do again. Journaling helps us take note of God’s fingerprints on every page of our life story.
Consider Fasting
Fasting from food, media, etc. can help focus your time with God
Fasting is an incredible spiritual tool that can powerfully focus our time with God. When we fast from things like food, media, or other distractions, it clears space in our souls to hear God’s voice more clearly (1 Corinthians 7:5).
The hunger pangs we feel become reminders to pray and mediate on scripture throughout the fast. According to research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, religious fasting triggers self-control and self-restraint.
So by fasting with the intention of focusing on God, we grow our spiritual discipline to resist temptation.
Use hunger pangs as reminders to pray throughout the day
It’s amazing how when we fast from food, the physical hunger we feel can remind us to “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). Let those hunger rumblings be cues to talk with God throughout the day. For example, grab your Bible when cravings hit and let a passage lead you into prayer.
Or use a fasting app like YouVersion that sends reminders to pray or reflect on scripture when fasting. As Dallas Willard said, “Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God.” So next time you fast, let your hunger point your heart to the One who truly satisfies.
Conclusion
Setting aside consistent, unhurried time to seek God each day takes effort and intentionality. But developing a vibrant devotional life is one of the most important things we can do as believers. Following this hour-long framework for praying, studying the Bible, worshipping, and listening to God will draw you closer to Him amidst life’s busyness.
As you make spending time with your Heavenly Father a priority each day, you’ll grow deeper spiritually and be better equipped to fulfill His purposes for your life.
