How to have quiet time with God?

One of the most important things in the Christian life is quiet time. Our busyness of life can prevent our spiritual life from growing.

When you are so busy taking care of your family, your job, your studies, you need to pause and listen to God. Shut off everything and prioritize spending time with God.

 

Be still so you can listen to the Lord.

1 Samuel 9:27: “And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.”

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Do not do contemplative prayer, which is emerging in Christian circles now. They teach you to repeat vain words, and to “empty” yourself and to do deep breaths. That may be even more ways for the devil to come.

Matthew 6:7 “Do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.”

 

Four ways to know God better

All of these have to be implemented in the daily life, not just a one-off event.

  1. Bible reading – we recommend reading an entire passage of scripture, not just taking bits and pieces from a devotional book.
  2. Prayer
  3. Memorizing scriptures
  4. Studying the Bible

 

Purpose of Quiet Time

This is why Christians need quiet time. It is not a nice to have.

  1. Time of friendship with God
  2. Prepare yourself for spiritual attacks

Suggestions for Quiet Time

These tips which are scripture backed will help to transform your Christian life.

  1. Do it in the morning or at night. Craft out a daily time to do this. Choose a specific time of day that you can keep.
  2. Prevent it from being mechanical. Spend quality time with God, not go through a certain template for prayer without meaning it.
  3. Prevent it from being disorderly. Have a certain daily habit.
  4. Do it frequently.
  5. Confess sins beforehand.
  6. Ask for revelation.
  7. Find a special place to spend quality time.

Problems of Quiet Time

All Christians can agree to all the following in their quiet time routine:

  1. Interruptions from the devil.
  2. Distractions of the mind.
  3. Sleepiness.
  4. Wrong spirit (anger, bitterness, etc.).
  5. Weakness of flesh.

Looking at examples of quiet time in the Bible

These are the saints closest to God in the Bible. Let’s learn from their regular time with God.

 

Abraham

  • He was called the friend of God
  • Talked to God at night
  • Had a special place to talk with God
  • Always listened attentively to God
  • Isolated himself to be alone with God

 

David

  • A man after God’s heart
  • Talked with God early in the morning
  • Talked with God late at night
  • Memorized scriptures
  • He read the scriptures early in the morning and late at night

 

Jesus

  • He prayed all night
  • He prayed early in the morning
  • He isolated Himself to be alone with God
  • Even in the wilderness, mountain, solitary place
  • He daily knew the scriptures