As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed how many “quiet time rules” the Christian culture emphasizes that aren’t actually in God’s Word. Although this reality is certainly frustrating, it’s also saddening. When people believe they have to do _____ (fill in the blank with a rule concocted by the Christian culture) to have a “worthwhile” quiet time, they may avoid having a quiet time altogether.
But the truth is that any time you spend reading Scripture and praying is not wasted time. If you seek Him, you’ll find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13). Don’t let believers—whether they’re well-intentioned or ill-intentioned—discourage you from trying to go deeper with God. This post has a few ideas (not rules) that may help you in your pursuit.
1. Take it slow.
Using read-your-Bible-in-a-year plans is trendy right now, and there’s nothing wrong with those plans. They can be helpful resources! Another popular practice is reading one chapter of the Bible every day, which works well for many people.
But what I’ve done for the past several years—reading the Bible for a specific amount of time rather than reading a specific number of verses or chapters—has worked well for me. It can be beneficial to focus on just a few verses during my Bible reading time. If you feel like you’re always rushing through Scripture verses or chapters, allow yourself to slow down and truly study what you’re reading.
2. Record and remember.
Praying aloud, praying silently, and writing down prayers are a few of the most common ways people communicate with God. Personally, I like writing down my prayers. But honestly, I’m not great at writing down God’s answers to my prayers or reflecting on those answers.
I do think it’s important to record God’s answers to our prayers though. During difficult seasons, answered prayers can remind you who God is and how He’s worked in your life. When you recall specific details about His provision and power in the past, you can combat the temptation to doubt Him in the present.
3. Understand the purpose.
Throughout Scripture, we’re commanded to study God’s Word and pray. We’re instructed to draw near to Jesus, abide in Him, and follow Him (all of which we can do as we spend time with Him). If someone asked me why I have a quiet time, my answer would be super simple: “God’s Word tells me to.” I don’t have a more “Christian-ese” answer than that, friends.
If you don’t really know why you’re reading the Bible or praying, it’ll be difficult to maintain those habits. I encourage you to evaluate your purpose for having a quiet time and to align your purpose with what God says the purpose of your time with Him should be. I also encourage you to avoid getting lost in minutiae—“commandments” you or others have set for your quiet time that aren’t biblical commandments, such as how many verses to read or what words to use when you pray. Instead, go deeper with God by going to Him with sincerity, humility, and consistency.
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. (Psalm 105:4 NASB1995)
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