HOW TO HAVE A QUIET TIME WITH GOD.
Hey there,
welcome to my blog again. I hope you are doing really well. So usually when I write
articles concerning GOD, I begin by admitting that I am not that very much
prayerful. Anyways today in this post, I explore how you can have a quiet time
with GOD. Please read on.
WHAT IS A“QUIET TIME”?
A
“Quiet Time” is a daily personal appointment with God, during which we get away
from distractions and meet with God through prayer and Bible study. Through
these disciplines God talks to us and we talk to God.
WHY IS CONNECTING DAILY WITH GOD THROUGH A QUIET TIME SO IMPORTANT?
1.
It reminds us
that we belong to God.
Jesus said, “I choose you!” (John
15:16)
2. It creates room for God in our busy lives.
“Be still before the LORD and wait
patiently for him;”
(Psalm 37:7)
3. It builds our relationship with God through regular communication.
“Now this is eternal life: that they
may know you, the only true God
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
4. It helps give direction to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a
light to my path.”
(Psalm 119: 105)
5. It enables to live deep and fulfilling lives.
My sheep hear my voice. I know them,
and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No
one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)
“I came that
they might have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)”
WHAT ARE SOME PRACTICAL STEPS TO DO A QUIET TIME?
1.
SET SOME TIME ASIDE during a
day, or every day. Start with about 15 minutes and you work up to 30 minutes
and more for each day.
2.
PICK A PLACE that you
want to go to be alone:
o
It doesn’t
matter where you go (a lake, bedroom, roof, park, etc.). The important thing is
that you get rid of all distractions. Get away from people, phones, the
internet, computers, anything that would detour your thoughts from God.
- GET YOUR MATERIALS TOGETHER
- A Bible in a modern version (NIV, NASB, NRSV)
- A notebook and pen
- A songbook, favorite worship tape/CDs &
player
- A reading plan such as Search the Scriptures
(Inter-Varsity Press)
- FOLLOW A SIMPLE PLAN
1.
- RELAX, BE QUIET
BEFORE GOD – ask God to settle your mind and heart and then
to become present with you! It is difficult to set aside all the voices in
our lives that compete for our attention. Here are some practical
activities to help you.
- Bring a pad of paper,
and ask God to quickly bring to mind the important tasks that need to be
accomplished that day. Write them down and set the pad of paper aside.
This practice will allow you to release these concerns knowing that you
will return to them later.
- Turn your mind toward
God. Think about who he is, what he has done, and your relationship with
him. This intentional focusing on God begins your quiet time.
- WORSHIP-
- Praise – for who God
is.
- Thanksgiving – for
what God has done.
- Adoration – express
to God your love for Him
- Listen and/or sing a
worship song or two to God.
- BIBLE – READ A SECTION (eg.
6-12 verses), asking God to speak to you through the Word.
§
§ Read slowly, repeatedly, aloud, asking yourself the following questions:
For what
specifically can I offer praise to God (Father/Jesus/the Holy Spirit)?
What do I see about what God has done for which I can thank Him?
Is there any example for me to follow?
Is there any command for me to obey?
Is there any sin or error for me to forsake?
Is there any promise for me to claim?
§ Write down in your notebook anything you observe and learn from God in
the passage.
o PRAY – TALK TO GOD
§ About anything you’ve just read in the Bible.
§ About your requests for others (family, loved ones, Christian friends,
non-Christian friends, family and colleagues, our church, government,
missions).
§ About what you need (confession and forgiveness of sin, Christlikeness,
daily filling of His Holy Spirit, work, finances, family, relationships,
witness).
These are
just some guidelines, and not a strict formula you have to follow to get
something out of your quiet times. You can start with this model and move on to
tweak it to mold into a model that is the most beneficial for you. For any
feedback on this article, please write to eliotwaokello557@gmail.com
Or for
more articles about GOD related issues and advice, I recommend www.thoughts-about-god.com
Till then,
stay blessed and have a nice time.
OKELLO ELIOT OTWAO
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