I first heard the term quiet time in 1993 when I attended Boca Glades Baptist Church. The pastor spoke about its importance at every Sunday service. It was the foundation of every sermon. One could not help but to at least try it, and so I did. It changed my life. I met God each time I had quiet time.
Those of us who have a relationship with God, for the most part, desire to grow more spiritual, deeper and stronger in our relationship with Him.
The problem with all our good intentions is we seem to be unable to maintain a consistent time of prayer and worship.
We oftentimes depend solely on what we receive at church once per week to fuel our spiritual growth. This is simply not enough. The Bible states that, "Jesus’s often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16), and if He did, surely we must.
I will describe in 5 simple steps how to have a consistent quiet time.
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Step 1. Decide on when the best time is to have a quiet time. This will depend on several factors including when you are most awake and aware, and when others in your household require your attention. Do you have more energy in the morning or are you rearing to go at 10:00 p.m.? Once you decide, set aside 30 minutes to an hour when you will have the least possibility of disturbance and your brain is alert to receiving and learning. Stick to the same time every day.
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Step 2. Pick a comfortable, well-lit spot that has a table to rest your Bible, notebook, journal, pens, and any other study aids you might need. Serious Bible students might want to incorporate a concordance and a commentary as well. I encourage you to take notes and write down what you sense the Lord is saying to you during this time.
Step 3. Select a chair that is comfortable, but not so comfy that you can easily fall asleep. A firm cushion and a straight back will help to keep you alert. It is important to have a specific chair and a specific place because as you pass by throughout the day you will be reminded of your "date" with God. I would also suggest you keep this area clean and uncluttered, so it always looks inviting!
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Step 4. Have a favorite beverage on hand. If you are a coffee or tea drinker like me, adding this option allows your brain to equate quiet time with your pleasure center. Whatever your non-alcoholic drink of choice may be, make sure you incorporate it in your system.
Step 5. Enjoy! Do not see this as a chore or obligation. Look at it as a date with God, a place of peace and time of comfort. A place where you seek and will find guidance for your life. The first hour of the day is probably your most effective time. (This blog post was taken from Chapter 8 of The Gorgeous Woman Bible Study)
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Blessings to you and yours,
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