How to have A Quiet Time

Originally posted on April 9, 2022 @ 8:58 am

Christianity is more than a religion; it involves having a genuine relationship with God. Christianity is a way of life, and believers need to be in close contact with God regularly. We must understand how to have a quiet time with God because God is the source of all we have as believers. This post highlights the benefits of Quiet time, things to do during quiet time and some other activities you can add to your quiet time with God. let’s start with the meaning of quiet time.

 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

Isiah 41:1 Kjv

A quiet time is a dedicated time to speak and commune with God. It is a moment of reflection and a time to seek the opinion and mind of God in our daily activities. It is also referred to as morning devotion because most people have their quiet time in the morning. The quality of quiet time is not measured by how long, but by the connection and virtue, you can receive at the moment.

Benefits of having A Quiet Time with God

Without quiet time we risk being spiritually cold and insensitive. The dangers of not having quality quiet time are disastrous. The benefits of having quality quiet time is immense. If I decide to write about some of the benefits I’ve enjoyed from having quality time with God, I’m sure the list is endless.

• It keeps the body, soul and spirit together

• It helps to be heavenly conscious

• It opens our hearts to the thoughts of God

• We receive strength

• It restores our  joy

It keeps the body, soul and spirit together

Quiet time with God helps keep our body, soul and spirit together. When we spend time with God regularly, every part of our being aligns with God, and we can focus solely on God. On days when I have quiet time with God, I am usually very sensitive and able to control my thoughts and actions.

It helps to be heavenly conscious.

Human nature is naturally selfish, and these thoughts tend to dominate our lives. The ability to be heavenly conscious is easy when there is regular communication with God. It is like speaking regularly to a lover or a loved one. We tend to think about them because we have close contact with them.

It opens our hearts to the thoughts of God.

A regular time with God makes it easy to think like God. We can receive directly from him and know his thoughts for us. God has beautiful and flourishing plans for us; it is easier to understand and align with his schedule if we communicate with him regularly.

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV

We receive strength

A quality quiet time is like drinking water from the springs of life. It rejuvenates the soul and refreshes the spirit. When I have quality time with God, I have noticed that I receive the strength that helps me go through my day successfully. It is not necessarily physical strength but mental strength.

It restores joy

Living life comes with many trials and challenges. We are usually confused, and we sometimes find it difficult t go through life. Spending time with God restores our joy, especially when we receive a word of encouragement from God. (in the presence of God, there is joy).

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 1:1-2 Kjv

What does dead to be alive mean for a believer? Find out in this post

How to have a Quiet Time

Over time, I have had young people ask me how they can have a quiet time. To many young believers, it is a confusing term, and they don’t seem to understand how to have a quality quiet time. I believe five basic steps simplify the decision to have a quality quiet time, and they are:

• Choose a time that works for you

The first decision you have to make is to choose a time that works for you. There is no golden rule about when to have a quiet time. You can choose anytime between morning and night as long as it’s free time for you and you can be consistent with it.

Although having your quiet time in the morning is more beneficial because it helps you set the mood for the day, consistency is vital.

• Consistency

I see quiet time with God as a date. When we have a date, we try everything to show up. God wants our attention, and he seeks fellowship with us. He wants to be a part of our daily lives. The story of Adam and Eve shows how true this is.

After Adam and Eve sinned, God still came to fellowship with them at the usual time. He showed up to meet with them even though they had sinned. Be consistent, and gradually, it will become an essential part of your day.

• Schedule your activities

To have a quality quiet time, try to have activities or a checklist of things you will always do during this time. A good plan helps you be in control, keeping you focused. However, you may not be able to always keep to a strict schedule of activities but still plan your time. When I just got baptised in the Holy Spirit, I usually set my alarm to make sure I pray for as long as I was determined to pray. This step helped me grow at that time in my life.

• Introduce new activities

Have exciting activities you can do during your quiet time that is not in your usual schedule. I have also added some activities towards the end of this article. You can introduce these new activities during weekends or when you have an off day. It helps you to experience God dynamically.

• Be accountable

Having a regular quiet time takes a lot of commitment and determination. You need to be accountable to yourself, God and a mentor. If you see yourself defaulting, hold yourself responsible. Be ready to evaluate yourself and retrace your steps.

Things to do during quiet time

A quality quiet time is not complete without some essential activities. This helps us to touch the throne of God and receive from him. I will divide them into three parts;

Prayer

Prayer is an integral part of your daily devotion. It is vital to pray and seek God during your morning devotion. Prayer is a two-way activity; you speak to God and allow him to talk to you. Prayer includes supplication, thanksgiving, declarations, and praising God.

Bible reading & Meditation

Studying the scripture is important during devotionals. You can take 2-3 verses as a beginner and increase them as times go on. Make it a point of duty to meditate on the word of God regularly. Meditation is an in-depth study of the word of God. It allows the holy spirit to translate the word of God to you.

We should meditate on God’s word all through the day as much as we can. Allow the holy spirit to enlighten your heart and explain the word of God to you.

Humility

I believe humility is essential in having a genuinely engaging time with God. In order to learn and receive from God, a humble heart is significant to experience God. Don’t spend time with God to show off or out of compulsion. Spend time with God with a humble and a broken heart so that he will commune with you.

Why is the gift of discernment important for a believer in this end time?

Additional Quiet Time Activities

• Read a book: there was a time when I read books during my quiet time. Especially books that relate to my pressing spiritual need or biographies of great men of God. I have discovered from experience that Christian books open our hearts up for revelations.

• Take a walk: When I reach my breaking point and feel I need space to express my heart to God, I take a walk early in the morning. It is refreshing, and I’m usually able to express my thoughts more.

• Listen to the bible: try listening to the audio bible sometimes. It adds new meaning to the scriptures because our minds perceive it more as an instruction that needs to be processed.

• Read different versions of the scripture: reading different versions of the scripture brings the word of God to a new light.

• Read previous journals: the name of this blog was born from reading some of my quiet time notes which I wrote in 2012. I started this blog in 2020.

• Keep a daily journal of your quiet time

• Go for a walk listening to an audio bible

• Play crossword puzzle: There are many great sites where you can play bible crossword puzzles that can test your knowledge of the bible and help widen your knowledge. Websites like : bible puzzles Christian Bible Reference

Finally,

Quiet time with God is fun and enlightening. It is edifying for believers to have a quiet time in God’s presence daily. Choose a time that works best for you, humble yourself before God and I’m confident he will speak to your heart. I hope this article has opened your heart and inspired you to decide to have a quality devotion. God loves you, and he wants to always commune with you.