How to Have a Meaningful Quiet Time!

We all are CREATED to have a relationship and fellowship with God and need a “Quiet Time” to be alone with God. It is what we were created for. God’s desire is to have relationships, fellowship, and intimacy with us.?If you don’t have personal time with God, you’re missing out on the spiritual and overflowing life that you’re created for. You will lack spiritual power, guidance, success, and strength. That is why your quiet time with God is so important.

Why a Quiet Time with God is vital?

First It Gets our attention and devotion to God.

Psalm chapter twenty-nine and verse two says: "Give to the Lord the glory due to his name. Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness."?(Psalm 29:2) When you come to the Lord, in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening or whenever, give your devotion - your undivided attention to God. Tell Him that you love Him. God deserves your attention. God deserves your devotion. Revelation 4:11?says "He alone is worthy." There is no one else worthy of our complete devotion except for God.

The second purpose of having a quiet time with God is that it helps Get our direction from God. Psalm twenty-five and verse four says: “Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk. Lead me.”?(Psalms 25:4) Remember: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths.” We have a quiet time to – give our attention to God – Get direction from God:

The third Purpose of having a quiet time with God is that it helps us GROW to be like His son Jesus. God’s purpose for our life has always been to make us like His son - Jesus. That’s why we all go through some troubles in our lives, He says He uses them for our ultimate good and for His glory. So, when you come and you spend a daily quiet time with the Lord, you’re going to grow more like Him as you spend time with Him and you’re going to be conformed to His image.?

King David said “Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97) Christianity is not a legal relationship; it is a love relationship. Ten thousand “don’ts” will never make you one iota more like the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Himself Who makes you like Him. But you need to spend time with Him. I want to give you five factors for spending some quiet time with Him each day.

1.??The Proper Period

You must find the right time. There are no “holy times” the best time will depend a lot on your personal routine in life… or lack of one! Daniel prayed regularly three times a day (Daniel 6:10); and David prayed in the mornings (Psalm 5:3). However, the early hour of the morning should be considered to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Mark1:35)?..Some of us are “morning people,” and others are “evening people”; try to make a regular time when you can be “clear-minded and self-controlled so you can pray” (1 Peter 4:7). Your quiet time should last at least half an hour. But some time is better than no time, so if you can’t start at thirty minutes, begin with ten. It should be your very best time and make it a priority. Also, find time early in the day. Psalm 5:3 says, “… In the morning, LORD, you will hear my voice; In the morning I will present?my?prayer?to You and be on the watch. Spend time alone with God to begin your day. Cherish the privilege to be alone with God and Consecrate constant time for prayer.

2.??The Proper Preparation

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”?1 Timothy 4:7?(NASV)

A quiet time is a fellowship with a holy God. There are a few things you can do to be prepared for this time. First, be physically alert. Second, be mentally aware. Be focused, and know He’s there. And third, be morally pure and clean. Some people don’t have quiet time because they feel uncomfortable looking God in the face with sin in their lives. Quiet time is a time of intimate fellowship with God at which time God speaks to us through His word and we speak to Him through prayers, praise, and worship.

3.?The Proper Place

There are no special “holy places” we must go to meet with God, because we worship God in Spirit and Truth” (John 4:24). This means that we can have our “Quiet Times” anywhere: (Acts 8:28) Find a place where you can focus. Jesus said when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6). That simply means find a place of isolation where you can shut the door on the world and open the windows to heaven. Jesus sought out places where He could be alone, and so should you.

4.?The Proper Provisions

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."?Matthew 4:4?(MKJV) In order to have an effective quiet time, you need the right tools. A readable Bible –Because God’s word is our “daily bread” (Matthew 4:4), it’s a good habit to “feed” on it every day (1 Peter 2:2)! Again, our life circumstances will affect how much time we can spend. You also must keep a prayer journal and notepad – Expect God to give you something and write it down. Also, use it to record things you’re praying about.?Write down your daily assignments.

5.?The Proper Procedure

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Finally, may I recommend some procedures to follow in your quiet time? Get still and quiet. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Focus your mind on Him. Calm down, relax, and recognize His presence. Take a deep breath and focus your thoughts on the Lord.?Be “watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2).

Get into the Word of God:?It’s better to start by reading the Bible than it is to start in prayer. It is more important for you to hear from God, even than for God to hear from you. God already knows all about you, but you need to know a lot more about Him. Simply read the Bible with an open mind.

Meditate:?As you focus on the Word of God and meditate, let it saturate you.

Ask:

Is there a command to obey?

Is there a promise to claim?

Is there a sin to avoid?

Is there a lesson to learn?

Is there a new truth to carry with me?

Record what God has given you. Write down what God says to you and what He tells you to do. It doesn’t have to be flowery. You’re not writing it for publication or to impress other people.

Now you’re ready to pray. When you pray, pour out your soul. Be natural and honest with God. Tell Him how you feel. Pray out loud. It keeps your mind on track and enables you to stay focused.

Begin to share out of your quiet time. God did not make us to be reservoirs; He made us to be conduits. Tell others what God is showing you.

Finally, obey what God tells you. Your spiritual train is running on two rails. One is a revelation and the other is obedience. And if either rail stops, your train stops. Learn to obey the Word of God.

I pray these simple suggestions will help you have a daily quiet time in the presence of our loving, almighty, powerful God.