Inside: If you've heard people talk about the importance of having quiet time with God, but aren't exactly sure what that means, this is for you. Here are 5 tips for getting started with a daily quiet time. 

"Being a Christian isn't about religion, it's about a relationship."

If you've attended a church or been around followers of Christ for any amount of time, you've probably heard that statement said in one form or another. And it's true! The problem is even though we say it's all about a relationship, few of us actually live that way. 

So how do start to have a relationship with the Creator of the Universe? It's actually pretty simple - and similar to what it looked like to start a relationship with your husband, neighbor, or best friend.

When you want to get to know someone, you don't sit around reading articles about them or asking others about their likes and dislikes. While those things can be useful, they don't help you build a relationship with that person. 

Instead, you take hikes together, plan a dinner out, or invite them over for coffee while the kids play. 

If you want to get to know someone, you spend time with them.

What is a quiet time?

"Quiet time" is a term mostly used by evangelical Christians when referring to spending time alone with God. You may also hear "personal devotions" or "personal Bible study". In general, all three terms are interchangeable.  

All it is, is this: time set aside from your day to be still in God's presence, reading His word, and praying.

This is how, as followers of Christ, we get to know who He is, allow Him to speak to us, are reminded of His character, and reflect on our need for Jesus. 

It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? Time alone with God? The Creator? How do you even begin to do that? 

Here are 5 simple steps to get you started:

How to Have Quiet Time With God: 5 Simple Steps

1. Be consistant with the time and place

When creating any new habit, the key is this: consistency. Why?

Have you ever seen the little paths cow make through the pastures they graze in? With constant and consistant motion in one direction, the grass under the hoofs of the cows is eventually trampled to the extent it dies, leaving a brown, meandering, path. If the cows change their path, or all go in different directions, the grass would remain green and alive, popping right back up after the animal passes by, 

But with consistent, uniform motion, little roads are created.

In the same way, we etch little pathways in our brains when we are focused and consistent in one direction. Make having a quiet time a habit by having it at the same time, and in the same place each day.  

2. Be Still

James 1:19 says:

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry”.

We often use prayer as a way to talk to God, and miss the whole listening part. So be intentional about quieting your mind and listening.

With the busyness of life, this can be a hard step. But keep practicing. It's difficult to hear from the Holy Spirit when our minds are crowded with thoughts, worries, and ideas. So practice being still and silent.

(Ideally this means the "same time" should happen when the kids are asleep or otherwise not around to distract you).

3. Pray 

Talk to God. If you are not sure where to start, here is a neat resource that I have used in the past. It is called How To Have A Holy Hour, and walks Believers through 11 "points of focus" to include in your prayer life. It is a fantastic resource!

Remember to also look at Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6: 9-13 for some guidance. Here is a simple step-by-step modeled after that prayer in Matthew:

1. Praise God for who He is (honoring His position as Father and Creator)
2. Ask for God's will (not yours) to be done (recognizing His authority over ours) 
3. Pray for your needs
4. Ask for forgiveness for your own sins, and help in forgiving others
5. Pray for protection and deliverance from evil

4. Follow a Bible reading plan or study

Reading the Bible is a vital part of any quiet time. The Bible is truth. It is inspired by God. It was written for you. 

If you are a beginner Bible reader here are 5 quick steps to reading the Bible:

1. Start with Genesis, Mark, or Romans (or any of the Gospels!)
2. Choose an easy-to-understand translation
3. Pray before you read (ask for understanding)
4. Write! Take notes to keep your brain engaged
5. Join a Bible Study group or grab a Bible reading plan

You can find a ton of Bible reading plans online, so Google and choose. A plan is just a way to keep you accountable and help you visually keep track of your reading. 

Remember this: the Bible is not a book about you. It's a book about God. So while you're reading don't ask:"what should I do with this passage?" Instead ask "what does this tell me about the character of God?"

Check out Jen Wilkin's book, Women of the Word, for more encouragement on how to read to the Bible.

5. Write

Write what you learned, what you are thinking, what you notice about the passage. Writing has a way of slowing us down and encouraging deeper thought. So instead of reading a chapter, slapping your Bible shut and moving on, stop and write down one or more of the following:

• What this passages tells you about the character of God
• Questions you have
• Summarize the text
• Prayers
• Copy a Scripture passage that sticks out. The act of writing down the text can help you meditate on God’s Word.

Writing while you read will help focus your mind, flesh out some thoughts, and record what you're learning.

When Is The Best Time of Day to Start A Quiet Time Routine?

Any time you can spend focused on God in prayer and in the Word is a good time. But I know for me, if I don’t start my day off with God, I probably won't be back later in the day to quiet my mind and heart. 

I highly recommend starting your quiet time in the morning because:

• Your mind and heart are quiet and rested
• There are fewer distractions
• You start your day with your mind focused on what is important
•  "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• Jesus himself took time early in the morning to pray (Mark 1:35)

However, if for some reason you miss your morning quiet time routine, don't use that as an excuse to not be in the Word at all that day. 

There will be days when you wake up late or the kids wake up early and you’re unable to do your normal quiet time. On these days it's far more important to read the Word at some point in the day than to wait until all the stars line up and the situation is perfect to start a quiet time routine.  Otherwise you may never do it. 

Tomorrow is a new day and you can aim to wake up before the kids then.

How Long Should My Quiet Time Be?

The important thing is you take some quiet time to focus your mind and heart on Him. The length of time doesn't matter as much.

If you are a total newbie and are feeling overwhelmed, start out with just 15 minutes. I promise the more you learn about Him, the more you will want to rest in His goodness and study His Word.

Start slow. Start small. The more you study the Word and learn about His character, the longer you'll want to sit in His goodness. 

A Sample Quiet Time Routine:

1.  Find a special spot with a mug of coffee/cup of tea and your Bible + notebook
2. Take a minute or so to sit still, quieting your mind
3. Start by opening up in a quick prayer asking God to give you understanding (if you're struggling to focus, take this time to write your prayer out in a notebook)
4. Open your Bible and start reading, with a pen in hand, and jot down notes, thoughts, underline...get tactile with the Bible. 
5. Close with prayer. Pray over what you've read, and also for any requests for yourself, family, or friends. 

Tools for your quiet time with God

You don't need much. In fact, you don't need anything to be with Him! He is with you now. Nevertheless, if you want to practice reading the Word of God and practice the habit of prayer, here are some helpful tools:

• Prayer journal
• Notebook
• Bible (this is the one I use)
• Blank notecards to write down verses to memorize
• This great study Bible cover to store everything in!

What Happens If I Don’t Start A Quiet Time Routine?

This is not a salvation issue. So if you choose not to start one, and you are a Believer, that choice doesn’t take away your salvation. But it does take away the opportunity to understand, in a deeper way, who God is and who you are in Him. Without spending time in prayer and in the Word, you are not going to grow in your knowledge, understanding, and love, for Him. 

Starting a quiet time with God isn't complicated. Remember these 5 simple steps:

1. Be consistant with the time and place
2. Be still
3. Start with Prayer
4. Use a Bible reading plan or join a Bible study
5. Write!

God is waiting for you. Each morning He is ready to meet with you, teach you, love you, hold you. Are you going to stay in bed? Or meet him there?

I'm rooting for you,