What Is A Quiet-Time? How to Have a Quiet Time ?

What Is A Quiet-Time?

In order to worship God properly we need strength and consolation in the Christian life. Strength to faithfully obey and consolation when we fail. In particular, we need strength to pray, to meditate on Scripture in Christ’s presence, and to obey what God makes known to us. We need mercy in our times of wandering from the Lord.

“Oh how love I Thy 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.

Paul told the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” and God told Joshua to meditate on his word day and night (1 Thess 5:17; Joshua 1:8). And this we do as well. We praise the Lord in our cars going to work and we make intercession for others as we go through our day. 

Some people also memorize scripture on their way to work and think about it all day long, asking God for further insight and strength to follow him. The point is that we often pray and think about scripture as we’re engaged in other activities.

Why Have A Consistent Quiet-Time?

There are as many reasons for having a consistent quiet-time as there are benefits that flow from these times of undistracted prayer and scriptural meditation. I want to subsume them, however, under three general headings. 

First, we seek the Lord’s presence in undistracted fellowship simply because he has called us into this friendship; the cry of the regenerate heart is to know God and enjoy him forever. 

Second, the Lord uses consistent quiet-times to transform us into his likeness. Third, drawing aside regularly to be with the Lord not only leads to a deeper friendship with him and to Christ-like transformation, but it also impacts our view of the world and the mission God has called us to. It is through regular fellowship with the Lord that we begin to get on our hearts what’s on his heart. It is here that we begin to develop a passion for reaching the lost and world missions. Let’s look at each of these in a little more detail.

The Proper Period

You must find the right time. 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. Don't give the Lord your leftovers. And don't try to find time - make time, and make it a priority. Also find time early in the day. Psalm 5:3 says, “… in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.” You don't take the trip and then read the map, do you? Spend time alone with God to begin your day

 Proper Place

Find a place where you can focus. Jesus said enter into your closet and pray (see 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.

The Proper Provisions

In order to have an effective quiet time, you need the right tools. Here are some tools I use:

a readable Bible - Invest in one with plenty of room to jot notes in the margins.

a prayer journal - Expect God to give you something and write it down. Also use it to record things you're praying about.

a notepad - Write down your daily assignments.
The Proper Procedure

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.

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.

Read the Bible for quality and not quantity. It's good to have a goal to read the Bible through in a year, or a similar goal; but that's not the purpose of your quiet time. Also, devotional books are wonderful. But again, this is not the place for them. This is the time when you simply read the Bible with an open mind.

Meditate. 

As you focus on the Word of God and meditate, let it permeate 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 is God is showing you.

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

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