Are you someone who struggles to find time for God in your busy schedule? Do you ever feel like you’re too busy to sit down and enjoy quiet time with God? If so, I want to encourage you to prioritize quiet time with God. Make it part of your daily routine! Even if it’s just 10-15 minutes, you will benefit from that close connection to God. Do not underestimate the importance of quiet time with God.
But what exactly is “quiet time with God”?
Quiet Time with God
I was in college the first time I heard the phrase “quiet time” from a Christian peer. I was too embarrassed to ask what that meant, especially as I saw my other Christian friends all nod in understanding.
Luckily I was observant enough to pick up on the context clues.
Simply put, quiet time is dedicated time with God. This can be just prayer, but it often includes a devotion, a Bible study, or both.
It’s taken me awhile to develop a quiet time routine. Most mornings, I get ready for the day (taking care of bodily needs, getting dressed, making the bed), put on water to boil for tea and oatmeal, and do a simple chore (starting a load of laundry or unloading the dishwasher). Once breakfast is ready, I sit down for my quiet time.
At first, my quiet time was just praying, reading the daily devotion from Jesus Calling, looking up the Bible verses, and praying again. This took less than 10 minutes each morning. More recently, my quiet time has evolved to be silent prayer, Bible study, devotion, and written prayer. This takes 20-30 minutes each morning.
Quiet time with God doesn’t have to take place in the morning. That’s what I usually do, but sometimes I have morning appointments or plans with my husband. On those days, I move my quiet time to after lunch or after dinner.
What is the importance of quiet time with God?
7 Benefits of Quiet Time with God
Spending time with God is an essential part of the Christian life. This practice helps us develop our relationship with God, grow our faith, find encouragement, and so much more.
My faith has honestly deepened since I started having a daily quiet time routine. Even those early months of spending just 5-10 minutes a day with Jesus Calling helped me grow in my walk with Christ. As I developed the habit, I wanted to spend more time with God. Baby steps will help you discover the importance of quiet time with God.
Related: Biblical Rest: A Christian Approach to Self-Care
1) Strengthen Your Relationship with God
Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives. Just as we need to nurture our relationships with family and friends, we need to nurture our relationship with God. Quiet time helps us do this.
During these moments of prayer and spiritual contemplation, we can slow down and connect with God on a deeper level. We can reflect on God’s Word, ask for guidance in our lives, and discover Their will for our lives. Reading the Bible also helps us learn more about God and what They have done for us.
As you can see, quiet time with God helps us develop a closer relationship with God.
2) Stay Focused on What Matters Most
In a world that is constantly pulling our attention in different directions, quiet time with God helps us stay focused on what’s truly important. It gives us a chance to step away from the distractions of everyday life and to refocus our attention on God. When we make time for God, we are reminded of Their love for us and of Their sovereignty over all things. As we seek God through prayer and study, we are better able to align our lives with Their will and to find true peace and purpose.
3) Grow Your Faith
Spending time with God creates the best feedback loop! The more we pray and read the Bible, the stronger our faith grows. The stronger our faith grows, the more we want to spend quiet time with God!
This has absolutely been true for me. I started with just a few minutes each day, and now I’m doing Bible studies, writing scripture, and journaling prayers. I’ve even added Christian memoirs to my leisure reading!
Part of this faith-building process is realizing just how much we need God. We need Their strength to overcome temptation, Their wisdom to make good decisions, and Their love to help us through difficult times. When we take the time to commune with God on a daily basis, we are setting ourselves up for success in every area of our lives.
4) Be Encouraged in Your Walk with Christ
We all need encouragement, especially when life is hard. That’s why I started this website, to encourage fellow believers!
God’s Word is the perfect source of encouragement for us in our walk with Christ. The Bible tells us that we are loved, that we are forgiven, and that we have a hope and a future. It reminds us of who we are in Christ and who we are called to be. It challenges us to grow and to change. And it gives us the strength to keep going every single day, even when times are tough.
Even if your quiet time consists of just reciting the Lord’s Prayer and reading a single Bible verse, you will be encouraged in your walk with Christ. That’s the power of quiet time with God!
5) Hear God’s Voice
Scripture tells us that we need to be still in order to hear from God (Psalms 37:7, 46:10, 62:5). In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be difficult to find time to just be still. However, setting aside dedicated time with God is essential if we want to grow in our relationship with Them.
Through our connection with God, we are able to receive guidance, strength, and peace. Quiet time with God allows us to establish and to maintain that vital connection. In the silence, we can hear God’s voice speaking to our hearts. As we meditate on God’s Word, They speak to us and reveal Themselves to us in new ways.
During our quiet time, we can pour out our hearts to Them and receive Their love in return. How might God guide you or comfort you, if you only give Them a chance?
6) Offer Praise and Gratitude to God
When we take the time to be still and listen to God’s voice, we will find that They have so much to say to us. Their love for us knows no bounds, and They long to draw us closer to Them. During your quiet time, take a moment to worship God for who They are. Then thank God for what They have done.
Remember the ACTS prayer method? You start by adoring (praising, worshipping) God. Before you ask God for anything, you thank God for Their blessings.
Quiet time is an opportunity to offer praise and gratitude to God. These actions will also align your mind, heart, and soul to recognize God’s goodness throughout your day.
7) Share Your Burdens with God
Life can be full of challenges and difficult choices. Sometimes we feel alone, drowning in our struggles while everyone else blissfully passes by. I get it. I live with Crohn’s Disease and depression, and I’ve dealt with several personal challenges in recent years.
But when we take time to be still and quiet before the Lord, we can lay our burdens at Their feet. In the silence, we can hear Their voice speaking peace and strength into our lives. We can share our worries and concerns with God, knowing that They care for us deeply. It’s okay to lament, to cry out in pain. God wants our messy, authentic, hurting selves.
We don’t need quiet time for God to be with us. Rather, the importance of quiet time with God is the reminder that God is always with us, even when we’re at our lowest low.
Final Thoughts on Quiet Time with God
In a fast-paced world, it can be difficult to find time for quiet reflection. However, spending time alone with God is one of the most important things we can do for our relationship with Them.
It is in these moments that we can come to Them with our deepest thoughts and feelings, and They can speak to us in ways that no one else can. Additionally, quiet time with God can help us to feel more peace and joy in our lives. When we take the time to connect with God, we are better able to handle the challenges of life.
Prioritize those quiet moments with God each day, and you will be blessed in ways you never thought possible.
If you need study resources for your quiet time with God, I’ve created multiple printables to guide you through prayer.
- How to Pray to God: a Guide to Christian Prayer - September 3, 2022
- The Great Sex Rescue: An Honest Review - August 7, 2022
- Quiet Time with God Ideas (Great for Beginners) - May 16, 2022
