It can be tough to start a daily routine of quiet time with God. We all have busy lives, and sometimes it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done. But finding time to connect with God is so important. It’s worth taking the time to make it happen.
Related: The Importance of Quiet Time with God
If you’re struggling to prioritize quiet time with God, I get it. I’ve been there. That’s why I want to help.
Before I became more deliberate about a quiet time, I would find myself in bed (and ready to fall asleep), before I remembered to even say hi to God. Praying before bed is great, but I often fell asleep before I finished my prayer!
When you establish a quiet time with God routine, you’re no longer giving God your leftovers each day. Instead, you’re putting God first.
By taking just a few minutes to plan your quiet time in advance, you can create the foundation of a good quiet time routine.
These tips will help you decide when and where you will have your quiet time, and what you will do during that time.
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1) Just Get Started with Quiet Time
Do not let perfect be the enemy of good!
The rest of this list breaks down the details of starting a quiet time with God routine, BUT don’t get bogged down in those details. Commit to something easy, immediately, today.
Quiet Time in 5 Minutes
Just 5 minutes a day, dedicated to God, can make a difference. Here are a few quiet time ideas that will take 5 minutes or less.
- Set a timer for 3 minutes. Write in a prayer journal. When the timer goes off, finish writing your prayer. Read over the prayer in its entirety.
- Start scripture writing. Write 1-2 verses every day.
- Read a daily devotion. I can attest that both Jesus Calling and Rise: An Authentic Lenten Devotional (gifted) take just a few minutes each day.
- Read a prayer book. I keep Hi God: It’s Me Again on my nightstand.
I started my own quiet time routine by reading Jesus Calling each morning. Some days that took just 5 minutes. I would read the devotion, look up the Bible verses, and pray. On days when I had more time, I would read the full paragraph around each Bible verse, and I would journal any scripture that really spoke to me.
Inspirational Reading
Another way get started with daily quiet time is by reading a Christian narrative. Memoirs, inspirational stories, and more can ease you into the habit. These are especially helpful if you’re new to Christianity, if you struggle to focus, or if you’re dealing with a hard season. Here are a few book recommendations from my own bookshelf.
- Jesus Feminist: God’s Radical Notion that Women are People Too by Sarah Bessey
- A Year of Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Found Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering Her Head, and Calling Her Husband ‘Master’ by Rachel Held Evans
- Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint by Nadia Bolz-Weber
I actually own all books written by Rachel Held Evans and three books written by Nadia Bolz-Weber. In addition, I’m a paid subscriber to Sarah Bessey’s Field Notes.
When I was recovering from surgery last year, I didn’t have the mental strength to do a Bible study, but I wanted to keep up my quiet time routine. I read through the first two books by Bolz-Weber during that time. I even packed one of her books for my hospital stay!
2) Choose a Time of Day
You know that quiet conversation with God matters, but it can be difficult to find a moment of peace and solitude during a busy day. However, I know you can do it! Start by evaluating your daily schedule and finding a pocket of time when you won’t be interrupted for at least 10-20 minutes.
One option is to wake up a little early and enjoy quiet time with God before the rest of the house wakes up. If you have young children, this may be the only time of day when you can guarantee yourself solitude.
Another option is to use your lunch break as an opportunity to prioritize quiet time with God. God will understand if you eat lunch and read your Bible at the same time!
If you have trouble finding 10-20 minutes during the day, consider going to bed a little bit earlier. If you choose this route, I recommend using your quiet time for more than silent prayer, or you might fall asleep while praying!
Once you’ve found a time that works for you, try to stick with it as much as possible. Of course, there will be days when life gets in the way and you have to adjust accordingly. I usually have quiet time with God in the morning, but on days with early doctor’s appointments, I move my quiet time to lunch.
Whatever option you choose, the important thing is to be intentional about setting aside time for God.
My Quiet Times
On weekdays, I begin each day with God. Depending on my overall schedule, I sometimes read a Christian memoir or advice book during lunch. Some nights I read a chapter or two of another Christian book. If I’m really tired, but I feel like I need more Christian guidance, I read a prayer and Bible verses from Hi God: It’s Me Again. Finally, I always end my day in silent prayer, but rarely am I so tired that I fall asleep during my evening prayer. The ACTS prayer method keeps me focused so my mind doesn’t wander.
On vacation, it’s harder for me to keep up a quiet time routine, but I still find time for God each day. I try to travel with at least one Christian book, which I’ll read during my leisure time. In addition, I still always end my day in silent prayer.
3) Find a Quiet Place
Part of your quiet time with God routine is location. Do you have a quiet place to sit and be still with God?
If you’re able to have quiet time at home, there are a number of different places that can be conducive to prayer and reflection. A home office can be a good place to focus on your conversation with God. Just keep your screens off!
The kitchen table is another option, especially for a morning quiet time. Or you can curl up in your favorite cozy spot in the living room.
If you have a small home, or if you have children at home, you may need to get creative in finding a place for quiet time. Try your bedroom, or even your closet if you need complete privacy.
If you don’t have a quiet spot at home, you still have plenty of options for meaningful time with God. Maybe there’s a nearby park or coffee shop. Or perhaps there’s a spot in your office or school where you can sneak away for a few minutes of peace and quiet. Even your car can be a place to find respite.
Wherever you are, God is with you, and They want to hear from you. God meets us where we are, whether you have a dedicated reading nook or just the privacy of your car.
My Quiet Place
I’m fortunate enough to have a reading nook in our living room with a chair, pillows, blanket, and ottoman. My side table is stacked with my Bible, various devotions, my prayer journal, Bible highlighters, and other resources. However, a good quiet time with God routine should still be flexible! I recently finished a Bible study that required a better place to write, so I temporarily set up my things on the dining room table.
4) Make a Plan
You have a time. You have a place. What will you do during your quiet time with God? You don’t need to design a rigid itinerary, but put some thought into what you want to do during your quiet time routine. This will help you stay focused once you get started.
Perhaps you will read a certain number of chapters in the Bible, or spend a certain amount of time in prayer. Whatever you do, make sure that your quiet time is focused on drawing near to God. Don’t try to fit too much into your quiet time; otherwise, it will begin to feel like another item on your to-do list.
The most important thing is to be intentional with your time and to use it in a way that is meaningful for you. There are no right or wrong ways to spend your quiet time, so don’t be afraid to try new things and to find what works best for you. Trust that God will meet you where you are, guiding you to best connect with Them.
Strive to create a space where you can slow down, focus on God, and be still in Their presence. If you do that, you will find that your quiet time is truly a blessed oasis in the midst of your busy day.
Final Thoughts on a Quiet Time with God Routine
With the right mindset, setting aside some time each day to spend with God can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Whether you are looking for guidance, comfort, or just some peace of mind, there is no better way to nourish yourself spiritually than with a little bit of quiet time each day. So take the first step today towards creating a plan that works best for you – and enjoy all the blessings that come along with it!
If you need more help getting started with daily quiet time, I’ve created multiple resources to help Christians grow closer to God. Get immediate free access to worksheets, prayer prompts, coloring pages, and more!
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