Helpful Tips on Having a Quiet Time
By Filoiann Wiedenhoff
Spending quiet time means to set aside time alone with God.
Whether it is 10 minutes or 30 minutes doesn't matter, what
matters is that you make the time and be consistent in doing it
everyday. Making the time is important because it sets a
foundation for your walk and relationship with God.
I put together some tips that I personally use and hope that you
will be blessed. You can change it; adapt it to your own quiet
time or whatever you wish to do. This is simply a guide to give
you some direction if you are new to Christianity or just
needing some added tips to your own quiet time.
Here they are as follows:
Prepare: Spending quiet time will take some
preparation on your part. You will need to answer some important
questions; What time is best for you to have your quiet time?
What place is best for you to read and pray that is private?
What resources will you need for your quiet time? Take some time
to think and plan out making time with God and you will most
likely be more consistent doing it.
Plan Ahead: A suggestion would be to plan ahead
of time what you will need for your quiet time. To get either a
basket or box that will fit your bible, pen or pencil, note pad
or journal, daily devotional, bible dictionary, Webster's
dictionary or bible commentary. These are all suggestions but
bible pen and paper are a definite must.
Pray: I encourage you to pray through out the
day but for your quiet time it is good to pray specific. Pray
for God to speak to you in your time with Him and your time in
His Word and believe by faith He will answer you.
Passage & Scripture Reading: Whether it is a
daily devotional, reading a chapter in the bible or a scripture
reference book. Whatever the Lord is putting on your heart to
read, is good as long as you have a scripture or passage in
God's word.
a) Read the particular passage.
b) Read the particular passage in context. Which means, to read
the entire chapter to fully understand why the passage is there
and what it means?
c) See if there are any specific words that speak to you in that
passage, like love, faith, or doubt, etc make note of that as
possibly your theme for the day and passage.
d) Feel free to look up definitions of those words to add some
depth.
e) Look up cross-references and possible summary of passage if
possible.
Journal: Write down the passage or scripture that speaks to you,
what it means and what it is speaking to you personally and your
own personal thoughts.
Ponder the Lesson: Take a moment to ponder the
passage you are reading and what God is speaking to you about in
that particular lesson and then ask God to help you receive it
in your heart and mind and give you full understanding of it's
meaning.
Personal Application: Find out what this
particular lesson is speaking to you personally and how you can
apply it to your life today and journal that also.
Personal Prayer: Pray and ask God to help you
not only receive the personal message God has given you but also
the power to apply it to your life today by faith.
Praise Him: Praise God for His faithfulness and
thank God for all that He is and all He does and has done in
your life and the life of others.
Prayer Time: If time permits or you are led to
pray and intercede, take a moment and ask God to put people or
situations on your heart to pray for and He is faithful to
answer that prayer.
Don't forget to close in prayer.
When the Lord gives me a message or lesson for the day, I ponder
and meditate on that lesson, message or particular scripture
throughout the day so that it will be written on my heart and
mind and hopefully memorized by the end of the day and am able
to apply it.
I hope these tips will help give you a jump start to do your own
quiet time and deepen your relationship with Christ even more.
Blessings!
Filoiann M. Wiedenhoff is a pastor's wife, work at home mom,
Woman's Biblical Counselor, Bible Teacher and Writer. View her
website for more articles http://filoiannwiedenhoff.com.
