Is a daily quiet time part of your daily routine? If it isn’t, I urge you to consider setting aside time to spend with God every day. It doesn’t have to be for a long time, but even starting your day with five minutes of quiet time can give great benefits to your relationship with God. Having a daily quiet time with God is one of the most important spiritual disciplines you can master.
When we talk about quiet times, we are talking about dedicating a little bit of our day to meditating on scripture without distraction. Though this is a difficult habit to get into, it is a rewarding one.
Taking time to read the Bible helps expand your knowledge of God’s word and lets us be more grounded as Christians. Also, there are clear spiritual and physical benefits to meditating on the Word every day.
The purpose and intent of quiet time are to create a stronger relationship. If you look at any relationship in your life, either with family or friends, they usually started off by getting to know one another, either asking questions of doing something together. It takes time to form relationships.
The same is true with God, spending time with him creates a stronger relationship with him. Quiet time has been called a number of different things, one-on-one time, heart-to-heart time, or personal devotions, but no matter the name, you are spending time with God.
Both quiet time and a stronger relationship with God have side effects. Items like decision making can become easier. Peace is more prevalent when spending more time with God and in his word. Often times God will speak to you in quiet times when we are listening and focusing on God’s word.
James 4:8 says, Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
When we spend intentional time with God, we will be able to see the benefits because God will be drawing nearer to us in the process.
The psalms are full of scripture that displays the importance and outcome of spending time with God, Psalms 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Additionally, Psalms 119:9 says “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
One of the best examples we have in life is Jesus. He lived on earth and suffered what we suffer through. Looking at Jesus’ life sets a pattern for our life.
While going around preaching during his three years of ministry there were many times when Jesus would go on his own and spend time in prayer. While Jesus spent time with others and ministering to others, he still set a time to be alone with God.
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
Matthew 14:23
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Mark 1:35
These are two of the many mentions throughout the gospel of Jesus’ prayer time. The repetition of his prayer time alone indicates the importance of quiet time both in his life and in ours today.
We can also observe from these two passages that he was alone both times and at specific times of the day. In Matthew 14:23, he went in the evening after be ministering to a crowd, and in Mark 1:35, he rose before there was even light outside to talk to his Father.
Even when Jesus was ministering to others, he had intentional time set aside to be with his father.
Devotions can be part of your time with the Lord, but your main goal is intimate fellowship with Him. And think of your time together as delight (Psalm 37:4) rather than discipline or drudgery.
Henry Blackaby put it this way: “Try not to think of the time you spend with God as a duty. The purpose of quiet time is for you to get to know God.
“As you come to know Him, you can walk out of your special times with God enjoying a living relationship with Him.” A relationship, he continued, “that you can cultivate all day long – throughout all your life.”
We live in a pressure cooker world. From the low-grade stress of everyday living to the unexpected crisis … stress affects everyone.
Our days are full of physical, mental, and social stimulation. The busier life gets, the more stress we all feel. Demands on every side can rob us of our energy and joy.
You need quiet time with God.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul, the apostle
If stress is wearing you down, there are healthy ways to manage it. Time alone with God is one of the best ways to relieve stress. Philippians 4:6-7 holds an awesome promise of peace.
Quiet time relaxes your body and mind, giving you the rest and peace God wants for you. In the middle of your hectic days, take some time to slow down, be still, and know God (Psalm 46:10).
There are a lot of disciplines needed for prayer time alone. Remember the purpose is to deepen your relationship with God, not to check quiet time off your to do list for the day.
Having time alone with God will strengthen our relationship with Him. We should be willing to spend time alone with God no matter what the hour.
Looking at the priority quiet time had in Jesus’ life should inspire us to also follow in his path and dedicate time individually to the Father.
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