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.