Quiet Time

We live in a very fast moving world filled with activity and constant change. Our schedules are ever revolving with times, places, and deadlines which must be met. At this breakneck pace it is no wonder so many important and necessary activities get lost in the shuffle.

In balancing so much activity, each of us must take stock of our lives and begin the process of prioritization. We alone will determine what will come first. Unfortunately, for many Christians, the quiet time with God is often squeezed out of their schedules. Because of this decision, many are spiritually weak and left spiritually vulnerable to demonic attack.

What is Quiet Time?

The Christian's quiet time is the time he or she spends sharing with God the Father. It is a definite time set aside each day for talking to God in Prayer and listening to Him through His Word (the Bible). It is a time with God that we gain the strength, wisdom, and guidance that we need to live each day in a way that will glorify Him. Without this time, we become weakened spiritually and are an easy target for the Devil.

The quiet time is an indispensable ingredient for a successful Christian life. Notice what Matthew 4:4 says.

⁴ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

Even if you know Jesus Christ as Savior, unless you spend regular periods of time meditating on the Word of God, you will not get to know Jesus better.

We call it the "quiet time" because that is exactly what we need. Christians today are bombarded by many distractions. The Devil uses everything he can to keep us from simply being quiet before God. The quiet time must become a priority for us.

God gives us a wonderful promise in Isaiah 40:30-31

³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
³¹ But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31

The quiet time is not just a helpful idea. It is absolutely necessary for spiritual growth. Just as it is easier to fight off a cold if we are in good physical condition, so it is easier to fight off the Devil if we are spiritually fit.

How to be Successful in Having Quiet Time

Since the quiet time is important, how can I be successful in having a daily time with God? Here are some suggestions which we've found to be helpful in our personal lives:

First, recognize the importance of having a quiet time.

² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 2:2-3

Jesus himself spent much time in meditation and prayer.

³⁵ And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:35

Now notice this important principle. If Jesus, who was in perfect harmony with God the Father, withdrew to a solitary place for prayer, how can we expect to do any less? The quiet time is our source of spiritual strength. Just as we must eat daily for good health and strength, we must feed spiritually for the same reasons.

Secondly, we must acquire an appetite for the quiet time. Peter challenged us to "desire" the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2). In Jeremiah 15:16 the prophet wrote:

¹⁶ Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
Jeremiah 15:16

The term "eat" simply means to digest it. The Word of God is to become a part of our lives.

We should also desire to talk to God (pray). We love to be with and talk to the ones we love. If we sincerely love Jesus Christ, we should have this same desire to be in contact with Him. It may surprise you to know that God desires to spend time with you! In John 4:23 we find:

²³ But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
John 4:23

He seeks our fellowship! Your quiet time is your time alone with God where you can talk with Him and share with Him what is on your heart.

Thirdly, we must determine to maintain the quiet time. To maintain a successful quiet time requires determination and discipline. Try to avoid all interruptions. Don't allow the telephone to rob you of your time with God. If you are too busy to maintain a quiet time then you are simply too busy.

If we are honest with ourselves, we will soon realize that we have time for just about anything that we consider to be important. We do those things that we really want to do so the question becomes whether or not we consider our time with God to be an important part of our daily schedule. If we do not maintain a quiet time each day, it's not because we are too busy; it's because we do not feel it is important enough. We must take time for fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

Steps in Developing Quiet Time

In developing our quiet time, we must first be regular. It is a good idea to meet the Lord at the same time and same place every day. A definite time and place will help a great deal in developing regularity.

Start off with a shorter period of time. For example, take just ten minutes for reading your Bible, meditating, and praying. Determine to do only that which you honestly feel you can accomplish each day.

Secondly, make the quiet time truly a quiet time. Find a quiet place and quiet your spirit so you can listen to what God has to say. Notice these verses on quietness and stillness:

¹⁵ For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
Isaiah 30:15

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

Thirdly, we should be systematic. The time you choose for your quiet time is up to you. Hudson Taylor, a great missionary, said, "Whatever is your best time in the day, give that to communion with God." Consistency is the important thing and consistency requires faithfulness.

² Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2

Each Christian is a steward. God has entrusted each of us with twenty-four hours each day to spend and use up wisely. How are you using your time?

Many people recommend the morning as the best time for the quiet time with God. If you are like most people, you are probably more alert in the morning than just before bedtime. Yet, in order to regularly meet with God in the morning one needs to go to bed at a reasonable time. This may involve rearranging some priorities so that our time with God can be profitable and strengthening time.

¹⁷ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Proverbs 8:17

Begin your quiet time with prayer and ask God to bless your time together. This is a good time to just praise the Lord and thank Him for all the blessings He has given to you. Following this, you may want to read your Bible.

⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8

To meditate is to think quietly and deeply about the Lord and things He has shown you in His Word. Think about how you can apply to your life today what you have just read. What lessons can you learn from someone's life in the Bible that will help you avoid making similar mistakes or choices? Think about these things and then look to apply them to your life this very day.

It is also important to be rested and expectant. We need to be rested in order to think clearly and meditate. Late nights and a lack of sleep can inhibit and ruin our time with God. We should be expectant in that we are anticipating that God will do something for us each and every day. Pray, expecting Him to answer. Read His Word, expecting Him to speak and show us great and mighty things. Remember, God wants to spend time with you and in doing so will reveal Himself and His will to you.

Prayer in Scripture

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.
¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6

⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:7

²⁴ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:24

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16

³ Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and might things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

¹ And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1

⁴¹ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41