Introduction
The concept of a quiet time is often misunderstood, completely overlooked, or unfamiliar to many believers. Some who do understand it believe that simply reading a yearly devotional booklet means that they have truly spent time with God.
So, what is a quiet time? It’s a special, intentionally set-aside moment when you take time to connect with God through prayer, reading the Bible, and reflecting on His words. The word ‘quiet’ highlights a peaceful time of focused attention in a calm environment, free from noise and distractions.
Building on this understanding of quiet time, remembering that it’s a special, intentional moment to focus solely on God is wonderful. Though there’s undoubtedly a time for enjoying Christian books by your favourite authors and your devotional, your quiet time is not meant to be a time for reading books or devotionals. Your quiet time is a heartfelt spiritual practice where your entire attention is lovingly centred on God and nothing else.
A devotional book is a helpful and timely resource, but it’s not the primary source of God’s Word, nor are these books as essential as the Bible. They are helpful secondary tools. There’s certainly a time and place for devotional booklets. However, reading a devotional, listening to sermons, or even Bible commentaries should never replace your personal time with God. Sometimes, people confuse their devotional reading with their actual spiritual practice, which can lead to substituting it for real, direct communication with God. It’s not to say that these resources don’t have their place, but they should supplement and not replace your private, focused, and meaningful time with God—just you, the Bible, and perhaps a notepad to jot down your reflections.
Your quiet time is a special moment of prayer where you invite God’s guidance and experience transformation. When you read the Bible, you are reaching out to hear from God and pray based on what you’ve read. Interestingly, the average American family owns about 3 Bibles, yet they seldom open them except on Sundays during fellowship with other Christians. In today’s world, many believers rarely open their Bibles, even on Sundays, as churches often display scriptures on screens instead. Technology brings many conveniences, yet it can unintentionally take away the personal experience of opening and reading the Bible. I’ve heard many say they connect with God through Bible apps on their phones during their quiet time, which can be a meaningful way to stay close to God’s Word.
The issue is that, remember, in the introductory definition, your quiet time is an intentional period free from distractions. Progress, including technological advances, is inevitable in the modern world. However, your phone, regardless of how you view it, can be a distraction. Not many people have or are willing to develop the self-control to put their phone aside and avoid its distractions. The question is: Why would you allow yourself to be distracted during your quiet time with God if you know your phone can distract you? It is possible that, even intending to read your Bible through your Bible app, we forget that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against unseen demonic forces that will wage war against you spending time with God. You will more than likely get a phone call, texts, or notifications that pull you away from what truly matters—your special moment with God. These little distractions happen to everyone.
Quiet time isn’t just about preparing lesson plans, sermons, or conference materials. It’s a special time to connect with God in a personal way. That doesn’t mean God can’t give you inspiration or a few words for your upcoming sermons, teaching materials, or conference talks. He unquestionably can. Still, your main goal is to nurture your spiritual growth so that you can bless others.
Many theology professors and clergy sometimes turn their quiet time into a preparation session for their next speaking engagement. While giving so much of themselves to others, they often fail to receive the nourishment they need. Although they spend hours each week studying the Bible and commentaries, they focus on how best to prepare and speak, instead of deepening their relationship with God. It’s perfectly fine to dedicate time to developing and researching your teaching and writing; however, it’s equally essential to strengthen your relationship with God. It’s no surprise that many Christians feel discouraged about attending seminary, fearing they might come away with a limited understanding of God or even lose their faith. Perhaps some professors are so focused on finding books and articles that explain divine knowledge that they overlook the importance of nourishing their spirit. While seeking knowledge is valuable, making time to be with God, listening to Him and growing spiritually is just as essential for your journey.
What do you need to have a quiet time with God?
- Your Bible
- A place with no distractions.
- It could be your room or any location.
- It is advisable to wake up in the morning, rather than waiting until late at night or during your lunch break. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve probably already let distractions like work and tiredness sneak into your routine. A quiet time in the morning can help you stay focused and feel more energized throughout the day.
- A notebook to record your thoughts, reflections, and wisdom from God.
- Prayer
- Including prayers for yourself, others, and the entire world.
Why a Quiet Time with God?
- Loving God is the highest ethical value that should guide everything we do. The people we spend time with reflect our love for them. Similarly, if we truly love God, we will intentionally set aside time to be with Him. Remember, your moments with God should be calm, focused, and free from distractions. Don’t deceive yourself, commit to this special time with Him. See Matthew 22:37.
- A lifestyle inspired by Christ. See Mark 1:35 for more insight.
- We need this quiet time for our spiritual growth. In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, the devil came to tempt Jesus. He overcame the devil by confidently saying the words, “It is written.” Your quiet time, as the name suggests, is a moment to read the Bible, let the Holy Spirit interpret the word, learn to memorize it, and deepen your communion with God. You can only say “it is written” if you know what is written.
- Spending time with God helps you understand what is true and what is a myth. For example, many believe, based on paintings and children’s Sunday School lessons, that the apple was the fruit Adam and Eve ate in the Garden. However, the Bible doesn’t specifically tell us which fruit it was. Similarly, while many assume there were three wise men because only three gifts are mentioned, the scripture doesn’t specify how many there were. These are two of many common misconceptions; others exist that different faiths have used to influence Christians away from their beliefs. The key is to spend time with God on your own, so you can learn directly from Him and gain a deeper understanding of the truth.
- Discover the enriching practice of listening to God and deepen your spiritual journey.
Is life keeping you too busy?
- No matter who you are, whether you’re a nursing parent, an early-morning worker, a single parent, someone grieving, a student with many assignments, clergy, professor, CEO with busy schedules and meetings, a president or prime minister caring for a nation, or merely someone with a lot on your plate, nurturing your inner self is crucial.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, many couples faced challenges in their relationships, often realizing they didn’t know each other as well as they thought they did. While going out for dinners or vacations is wonderful, enjoying quality time alone with loved ones, without always inviting others along, is just as essential. Please understand me, there’s a perfect time for social gatherings, family trips, and dining out with friends. However, it’s equally important to set aside moments just for yourselves, a special time for a husband and wife to retreat together, whether it’s a quiet dinner at home or a peaceful vacation. Striking this balance is vital: making time for yourself first, then inviting others to share in meaningful moments. Similarly, developing the spiritual discipline of spending intentional, quiet time with God is fundamental; only then can other spiritual activities truly enrich your lives. Remember, while your work in the vineyard is valuable, your time with God is irreplaceable.
In conclusion, cultivating a peaceful spiritual practice of quiet time can truly enrich your relationship with God. It offers a heartfelt way to learn how to listen for His gentle voice through dedicated moments of Bible reading, prayer, reflection, and empowerment, enabling you to live as He intends. I hope you will feel inspired to join others who have discovered the meaningfulness of spending peaceful, intentional moments with God.
*** if you are still unsure on how to add a quiet time with your current routine, please kindly send us a message at contact@emmanuelisrael.com or use the contact page