Hello, Thursday!
I heart Thursdays. Anyone else? It’s a more lax day with homework, we’re not as strict on bedtimes, and it’s the eve to the weekend which is just fun! So I’m feeling 😁😁😁😁 today. Hope you are too!
I get a lot of e-mails about this topic. I’m hoping today I can answer some questions for you guys.
The topic is this…
Questions like…
*What is a quiet time?
*How do I have a quiet time?
*What do I do during a quiet time?
*Why do people have a quiet time?
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I hadn’t even heard the words, “QUIET TIME”, until I got to college. Did you hear the gasp? 🙂
Growing up in my church, no one used a phrase like, “quiet time”. We talked about having daily time with the Lord, but that term just wasn’t used.
*A Quiet Time is simply some time you set aside (the amount of time is up to you) where you get quiet and still before God. You can spend time in prayer, reading God’s word, and studying scripture. I remember our college minister talking to us about this and how it’s important to sit aside time to just be still and listen.
*I think the term is used because if we aren’t still and quiet then we can be so distracted we miss God speaking to us. Silence the cell phones, put the kids to bed, or whatever you need to do to make sure your time is uninterrupted.
*You can find some time throughout your day that’s quiet and still. For some it’s morning, others night, some right when they arrive in their office to start the day, just whatever works for you.
Growing up in my church, no one used a phrase like, “quiet time”. We talked about having daily time with the Lord, but that term just wasn’t used.
*A Quiet Time is simply some time you set aside (the amount of time is up to you) where you get quiet and still before God. You can spend time in prayer, reading God’s word, and studying scripture. I remember our college minister talking to us about this and how it’s important to sit aside time to just be still and listen.
*I think the term is used because if we aren’t still and quiet then we can be so distracted we miss God speaking to us. Silence the cell phones, put the kids to bed, or whatever you need to do to make sure your time is uninterrupted.
*You can find some time throughout your day that’s quiet and still. For some it’s morning, others night, some right when they arrive in their office to start the day, just whatever works for you.
I start off reading the Bible. I change this up a lot. I either do a Bible study and work on my study/Bible reading or I read different books of the Bible. If I’m reading on my own, then I do a devotional with it. My two favorites are Jesus Calling and Savor.
One of my favorite Bible studies I’ve done lately is Seamless by Angie Smith.
Then I finish my time with prayer. I’ve found if I write in a prayer journal it reminds me to check in on things I was praying about…friends, situations, etc. and to continue praying for those people or situations that haven’t been answered yet.
That’s it. Sometimes we might complicate things by naming them. I want you to know there’s nothing complicated about a quiet time. It’s when you get quiet, meet with Jesus, and are studying his word.
If you have any devotional or Bible study recommendations, please share with us. We’d love to hear!
Thank you, guys! Happy Weekend Eve! XO
I just started Jesus calling this year and I LOVE IT!!!
Oh good! So happy to hear that.
Hi Erika! Love reading your blog! I just wanted to mention (for the moms still in the trenches and caring for babies) that quiet time can be any time you like!! Now that my youngest is in first grade its easy for me to carve out quiet time for myself. A few years ago that wasn't the case. My walk with Christ was growing, and I desperately wanted to give Him that time and attention. A wise and beautiful teacher of mine that leads a women's study at my church (also a mom to 6 and grandmother to 22!!) told me that some seasons of life are different. Sometimes your quiet time spent with the Lord might be while you're folding clothes or washing bottles or rocking a sweet baby to sleep. The important part is your dialogue with Him is open and constant! Anyway sorry for this looooong comment. But those words gave me such comfort back then when I felt I wasn't measuring up, and maybe they'll help someone else now. Thanks!
Absolutely! So glad you mentioned this. I remember listening to praise and worship music and praying while I drove when my kids were babies. Those were the only few minutes of quiet I could get.
Thank you for sharing, Erika! One thing I do is have a daily reminder set in my phone to remind me to do quiet time. It says "have you read your bible today?". Let's be honest, sometimes I still forget, but it helps me be intentional about putting everything else away a spend a few minutes in His word.
http://www.lettinginthelightblog.com
Great idea!!! Thank you for sharing!
I'm reading the Bible in a year for the first time this year and I can already tell it's going to be such a blessed time and help me to be consistent with having a daily quiet time. Thanks for sharing!
So glad to hear that!!
I need to check out Savor…I've heard great things about it. I'm focusing on "Jesus Calling" this year. I bought a new version that is a little larger and has the Bible verses printed in it. It has space to write, so I'm jotting down some prayers/praises/thoughts for days when I feel something on my heart. Have a wonderful Thursday.
Sounds like a great plan for the year! Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad you're sharing this today!! I know you're going to bless a lot of people :).
Thank you! 🙂
I spend my quiet time doing the exact same! I loved Jesus Calling and I have Jesus Always but have not began it yet. Currently, I'm engrossed in First Five. Its just right there and so easy to pull out when the kids are at school or content playing together (which is few and far between nowdays!) Last year I started a prayer journal and it really has allowed me to see God's work. I look back on some earlier prayers and see that He answered them. LOVE!
Isn't it so cool to look back in the prayer journal? I feel the same way!
I honestly hadn't heard of quiet time until I started reading blogs!
I remember getting to college and being like WHAT are they talking about?!
Great explanation of what quiet time is, friend! I need to check out that devotional too!
Thank you!
I just purchased so I don't have it yet but I have heard great things about The Jesus Bible. I'll let you know as soon as I get it how I like it but it has sidebar articles that reveal Jesus throughout the entire scripture to make the Bible easier to read and more relatable. Here is the link for more about it:
https://www.thejesusbible.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=the-jesus-bible&gclid=CjwKEAiA79zDBRCgyf2FgeiY-CESJABzr0BMkntfCeQ2H476IKh6tSjrnTb2CqE9xKCP3sy8As8lqxoCuXPw_wcB
Keep us posted!!
This is great and I love me some quiet time. I just started about 2 years ago. I always thought it was crazy…but I love it and look forward to it!
So happy to hear this!
Great simple tips that people can immediately start using! Carter found my book "Praying for your Children" last night in a basket by the bed, brought it to me, and said he thought I should start reading it again. Ha!
Hahaha! That is hilarious!
I'm doing Seamless right now too (slowly, since my time is limited for longer studies). It's so great!
I did mine slowly too. No worries!! I loved it though! 🙂
My church recently did a sermon series on "quiet time". People relate to God in various ways so "quiet time" doesn't work for everyone. Here's a book to look at and there is a quiz you can take to find out what type of relater you are to God. For some it's being a caretaker, some even protest for me, I relate best outside in nature. I highly recommend the book. Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God by Gary L Thomas.
Thanks so much for sharing!
We are about to dive in to a bible study called "All Things New" by Kelly Minter it looks like it is going to be great!
I need to do better about quiet time! Seamless is a great place to start, thanks!
You should check out the app Echo Prayer! It is so cool and lets you write in prayers, remind you to pray for people, check on answered prayers, and so much more! I love it! And it's so amazing to reflect on the answered prayers later on.
Let me know your thoughts!
I almost grabbed Seamless at the bookstore, but settled on Margaret Feinberg's 'Fight Back With Joy' study. I'll have to check this one next time! Quiet time is essential!
Loved this post! I'm reading Savior as well, and my newest one I started this year is the Battle Plan for Prayer. I'm only on chapter 4 and it has already changed the way I pray!
I've never had "quiet time". Ever. So this year, I decided to read The One Year Bible. It's been something I have wanted to do, read the entire Bible, but never attempted. I'm making more of an effort to digest what I'm reading and think about it, rather than just reading and putting it aside like it's a chore, which I admit I've done some days already.
I don't always get my quiet time in the morning but I've found that when I do it really sets the tone for the day. No matter how early I get up it seems like one of my kids comes to find me! 🙂 So more and more I've found myself enjoying this time alone in my closet. I've actually come to prefer it as it seems like many other distractions are also gone, unless I start thinking about what to wear that day. 😉 The past year I love just sitting with my bible and a notebook and copying verses that stand out and journaling. I also love referring to my favorite commentary by Pastor Jon Courson. (You can find it on his web-site Searchlight)
This is the first time I have heard this term to spend time in study and listening to God. Thank you for introducing me to a quiet time:) I really enjoy hearing about what texts people use to study and dig deeper into the bible.
I am SO excited to start Seamless in two weeks!! Love your journal with your name on it!
I was just wondering..as far as a prayer journal. Do you just buy a regular journal, and write down who/what you are praying for? A way to focus your prayers. A regular journal, to keep your prayers?