Time with God: Making Space for a Daily Quiet Time

God desires more than a weekly visit — He invites you into a focused, daily conversation. Discover why setting aside a regular quiet time with Him brings rest, clarity and life to your soul.

Why a Regular Time with God Matters

In the Old Testament God designated a weekly ‘time out’ for the Israelites to rest and worship Him (Ex 16:23, 20:8-11). It is to our benefit that we also take time away from work and family responsibilities to rest and look after our bodies, besides meeting with other Christians in regular, collective worship. However, this joint worship should not be a substitute for private time (ideally daily) with God, to focus on and hear from Him, in what is sometimes called a ‘quiet time’ of personal Bible reading and prayer. Do not be so busy working for Him that you don’t have time to report to head office for orders!

While we must be diligent and apply ourselves to our secular responsibilities, it is vital to have earmarked times for being connected to our source of life, receiving regular input into our souls, and not trying to go it alone (Lk 10:38-42; Jn 15:4-5).

Do not let Satan or life’s pressures cheat you out of this special time

Guarding Your Appointment with the King

Don’t rush or view the privilege of having a quality, one-on-one audience with the King of kings, the creator of the universe, who desires interaction with us as just another job to be ticked off your to-do list. Rather than being restricted to a particular time there should be a sensitivity to the Lord and inner communion of heart with Him throughout the day – a moment by moment consciousness of Him as we ‘walk in the Spirit’ (Gal 5:16,25).

Come to this appointment with an expectancy of intimacy with your Saviour and soon-to-be host for all eternity. It should be a vital time of infusion of the divine life into your person. Adam and Eve were honoured to converse with God in the Garden yet, after sinning, they were not keen for this interaction (Gen 3:8-13). Similarly, when our conscience is troubling us and we are slow in putting matters right, we are reluctant to spend quality time alone with Him. Sin always separates while repentance restores relationship. The promise of Scripture is, “Come near to God and He will come near to you” (Jas 4:8). We will be bountifully rewarded for the effort as God wants to communicate with us (Jer 29:13).

Am I as eager to meet with Him as He is to meet with me?

Hearing God Speak

He brings things into ‘focus’ as we read His Word and impresses thoughts into our spirits – God speaks, are we listening? If we are not hearing it is normally the result of us not being receptive – we need the attitude of Samuel, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:10).

Because the Bible is spiritually discerned, understanding does not come merely through natural intelligence — the Holy Spirit must illuminate what is written. That is why the psalmist prayed, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Ps 119:18). Approach your reading with that same prayer, asking God to make His Word come alive so it speaks directly into your situation.

Come with anticipation, eager to find nourishment for your soul

Scripture is described as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Ps 119:105), guiding each step of the daily walk. As you read, look for a promise to trust, a command to obey, a warning to heed, or an example to follow, and let what God shows you shape your praying. What He reveals in the quiet time is then carried into the day, bringing direction, correction and encouragement as you walk in the light of His Word.

Reflection and Application

Set aside a consistent daily time and place to read Scripture and pray.
Begin by listening: read slowly and let God speak before you respond.
Deal quickly with any sin the Spirit exposes, so nothing hinders fellowship.
Carry an awareness of His presence with you through the rest of the day.