Quiet Time
In the coming month, we will be writing about some ways to spend time with God. Spending time with God is super important because, in short, it’s hard to have a good relationship with someone you don’t know.
The term “quiet time” to refer to time spent with God has been around for over a hundred years, but within the last few decades, it’s become quite the buzzword in Christian circles. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, and there are probably thousands of articles, books, and other resources out there detailing how to have a quiet time.
Here I’m going to lay out the basics, which is all you really need, but first: if you already know what a quiet time is and what that looks like for you, and you’re reading this article to avoid doing that right now, close the computer, quit Instagram or Facebook or whatever you’re reading this on, and get into the Bible today, girl! It’s so much more important to me that you are cultivating your personal relationship with God than reading what I have to say!
Okay! Now if you’re here then that means you’ve already spent some dedicated time in the Word and in prayer (we love to see it) or you’re still like “hey yeah, uh, what’s a quiet time?” I’ve been hinting at it this far, but essentially all a quiet time is, is dedicated time reading the Bible and praying to God. I don’t usually even call it a “quiet time” because the actual term really doesn’t matter; what matters is that you are getting into the Word with the Holy Spirit. This is how we foster a relationship with our Father and Savior. Since the Bible is God’s Word to us, reading the Bible is how we learn about him, his plans for the world, and his desires for us. And as a loving Father and personal Savior, he delights to hear and answer our prayers, through which we speak to him. And now we have a conversation going!
“the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” -Psalm 19:8
What you need for a “quiet time”:
The Bible
The Holy Spirit
Yeah, that’s really it. At the beginning of your time, spend a few moments in prayer, in humility recognizing that it is the Spirit who gives you understanding of the Scriptures and asking for wisdom, focus, discipline, etc. Then read the Bible! (Regan will be talking more about how to do that in a few weeks.) Whether it’s a few verses or a few chapters, read the Word. Even if you don’t totally “get it” right now, the Holy Spirit will grow your understanding over time! At the end of your time, close in prayer, asking God to help you apply, understand, and remember what you have read, and bringing before him other praises and petitions.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” -John 14:16-17 (NIV)
What you don’t need for a “quiet time”:
A set of highlighters
An hour of no distractions
A specific comfy chair
A beautiful coffee/tea
With so much of our lives being on social media and connected with others in an instant, sometimes all we see of someone’s quiet time are pretty little pictures with a colorful Bible, calligraphy notes, and a picture-perfect latte in an artisan mug. That’s awesome, really, and none of those things are bad at all! But getting into the Word doesn’t have to require a photoshoot setup, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes we miss a day, and sometimes all we can do is think about a memorized verse on our way to class or read a few verses on our phone at lunch. We can live in the grace Jesus has given us AND acknowledge the importance of being in God’s Word consistently for the Holy Spirit to change us.
If something specific is hindering your quiet times, be intentional about finding solutions. Getting distracted by pop-up thoughts? Bring a sticky note and pencil along, and when distractions come up, jot them down and let them go. They can wait. Can’t find consistent time? I know this is kind of radical, but Jesus is in fact more important than sleep. Getting into the Word is a discipline, but you will not regret waking up 10 minutes earlier to spend time with God, and you are not alone in doing so.
Let’s be intentional and committed to growing in our faith, sisters! Let’s increase our Bible literacy, our propensity for prayer, and our love for others! Who’s with me?
What hinders you from spending time with God in his Word and in prayer? How can you improve that? Which of those is more difficult for you, and why?