How Can I Spend More Time with God? 

10…9…5…3…2…1…Happy New Year! The New Year often brings around a time of reflection and thought. What was great about last year…what was maybe not so great. Whether you are a planner or a more spontaneous person, you can’t help but give some thought on what this new year could bring! It is a great time to set new goals, change some things, and re-open our minds to God’s new opportunities! Perhaps, this year you want to grow closer to God, spend more time in your Bible, and learn how to have a beneficial quiet time with God that grows your faith. 

What does “quiet time” mean and look like? 

Quiet Time is a phrase to define the time you are setting aside to spend with God. This could look different for each person, depending on what best fits their style of studying and learning. What is most important is your heart going into your time with God. We can see in Matthew 6:6 what God expects from us when we spend time with Him; He says “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you”. Most importantly, God is wanting to spend time with you to build a stronger relationship. Diving deeper into God’s word and truly knowing Him equips us to handle all the things of this world.  

One of the most important things you can do to begin having a regular quiet time with God is by making an appointment. We are busy people who are involved in a multitude of activities. Therefore, we have to make sure we schedule time for God because this is the most important thing we will do all day! For some people, getting up a touch earlier might be a possibility, or it could become a part of your nightly routine. It is important to find a time that you are present with God and have the ability to focus. If you need, pencil it into your calendar or set an alarm to be sure it happens. 

Finding a spot for your time with God that will aid in keeping distractions to a minimum is another thing to consider. Try to create a space that will be quiet and comfortable. Put your phone on silent or away to avoid being tempted by a notification. Keep any other tasks or things that might draw you away from your quiet time hidden or in a different location. To make sure you have success in a recurring and beneficial quiet time, have accountability. Find someone who cares about your spiritual health and growth to encourage you to keep your appointment with God. Let them know your plan of action and your goals for your quiet time. Having an appointment with God at the same time as your accountability partner is a great way to stay on track as well. 

Quiet Time Resources 

There is a wide variety of resources that can help you with your time with God. There are books, devotionals, interactive devotionals, journals, and much more that can be used. Once you have set up your appointment with God, it is useful to find a way that allows you to learn, study, grow, and connect with God. Every person is different, which is why there are so many resources to find something that works for you. Reading the Bible is a great place to start, and just making sure to get in the Word is fantastic! It could be advantageous to read a book or find a devotional that speaks to something you are walking through or something you want to improve on. Journaling has also been proven to be helpful. This could be about what you are learning, a verse that stood out to you, or your prayers. Journaling is a great study tool in helping you track your prayers and growth or remember what you learned while in your quiet time with God. 

For those of you who are imaginative and creative, there is another way to interact with God during your quiet time. This could be writing a poem about God, writing a letter to God, or even illustrating something that expresses your love and gratitude towards God and/or something you’ve learned.  

When planning out what your quiet time with God will look like, try to make some goals. What are some areas you would like to grow in? What do you want to know more about God? Do you want to read through the whole Bible? Do you want to memorize bible verses? It could be anything, as long as you come humbly to God to spend time with Him. 

There are a lot of benefits that come from having a time set aside for God. It is a great opportunity to come and know our Father so much more. The Bible equips us to share our faith, know the Word, know what we believe and why. James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Spending time with God makes us stronger and more confident in our faith. 

What are your goals this year to draw nearer to God?