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5 WAYS TO CHANGE UP YOUR QUIET TIME


MICHELLE S. LAZUREK

Author
Published: Mar 21, 2023

Quiet time is essential for any Christian's spiritual maturity. However, reading
the Word and praying the same way each day can cause people to get into a
spiritual rut or go through the motions of the faith. When Christians get into a
spiritual rut, it is easy to forsake reading the Word and prayer altogether. If
you have a quiet time that's less than stellar right now, here are five ways to
spice up your time with the Lord.

Quiet time is essential for any Christian's spiritual maturity. However, reading
the Word and praying the same way each day can cause people to get into a
spiritual rut or go through the motions of the faith. When Christians get into a
spiritual rut, it is easy to forsake reading the Word and prayer altogether. If
you have a quiet time that's less than stellar right now, here are five ways to
spice up your time with the Lord:


1. DIFFERENT PLACE

If you tend to do your quiet time in the same chair or the same room of your
home every day, try going to a different place. Make a sanctuary in an empty
room of your home if possible. Light candles, dim the lights, and create a
relaxing quiet atmosphere. Purchase one of those indoor water fountains to feel
like you're out in nature. Get a cozy chair and put extra pillows on it to be
extra comfortable. Or, if the weather permits, go outside and sit on your deck
with your favorite beverage. Start your time outside (or inside) by inhaling a
few deep breaths and fresh air. As you inhale, praise the Lord for the breath in
your lungs. Sometimes starting with praise will get you in the mood to listen
more intently to the Lord.

Additionally, you may want to add food or your favorite drink to your quiet
time. Make a cup of your favorite coffee or breakfast before you start. By
feeding your body, you'll also feed your soul and, in so doing, will be able to
listen and interact for extended periods. This way, you will not be distracted
by hunger or thirst.




2. DIFFERENT TIME

If the time you use to conduct your quiet time is not working, try the opposite
time of the day. If you're a morning person, try right before you go to bed.
Consider getting up a few minutes before work if you are a night owl. Because
you know you are tired during this time, it may motivate you to do as much as
you can before you doze off. This will keep you focused on accomplishing quiet
time on a regular basis.


3. FIND A PARTNER

This may seem odd, but sometimes praying together with someone and sitting in
silence will help keep you focused. The other person's focus and intention will
inspire you to maintain your focus. It is also intellectually stimulating to
talk about the Bible together rather than simply reading it and creating your
own interpretation. Find a spiritually mature partner who can keep you on the
right path. Choose a book of the Bible you have never read and read it together.
Study commentaries before coming together and add your own insights of what you
gleaned from the passage. It is amazing to hear different Christians'
perspectives on the same passage.

Additionally, dare to make your quiet time anything but quiet. If you're used to
sitting quietly mumbling your prayers to the Lord, try shouting and praising God
wherever you are. Make a joyful noise to him, and he will honor the time you
spend with him.

Read a different translation- Most Christians have a trusted translation they
read most regularly. While there is nothing wrong with this, try reading a
translation you've never read before. See how different translations interpret
the same text. Sometimes other words will speak to your unique situation. This
will be a different translation that will also help you stay motivated to read
to see how they compare or contrast with your trusted version. At the end of
each quiet time, take out your trusted version and compare the words in each.
How are they similar? How are they different?


4. USE THE ACTS METHOD

While you may have heard the ACTS method of prayer: Adoration, Confession,
Thanksgiving, and Supplication, there is another way to pray: the Acts 1:8 way.
Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth." First, pray for your Judea. Your Judea is the people
closest to you. This could be your neighbors, community, friends, and family.
Next, pray for your Samaria. This can be the people in neighboring towns and
states that you know. Finally, pray for the ends of the earth. Pray for all
those who do not know God that they would come to know God as their savior. Pray
for both people you know and people you don't know. Ask God to do a miracle and
allow those who do not know him or who are the furthest away spiritually to come
close to him. God may bring people to himself that you never thought would come
to know the Lord. Rejoice in whomever God brings. Offer to do Bible study or
share your quiet time with people who are newer in the faith. We are to "spur
one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24-25), and a great way
to spur each other on this is to study the Word together.




5. WRITE IT DOWN

Scripture memorization is sometimes a neglected form of quiet time. Buy a deck
of index cards and write down one verse that spoke to you each day you read the
Word. Place it in prominent places in your home, like your bathroom or kitchen.
Make these places that you go to often. Instead of listening to music or
watching TV, commit to memorizing that verse. In a year, you'll have memorized
365 verses of Scripture. Your mind and soul will be better for it, and you'll be
more apt to want to spend more time with God as he speaks to your heart.

If this does not work for you, buy a blank journal and do the same thing. Write
down each day a Scripture that speaks to your heart. Visit the journal often and
remind yourself of the verses that God is using to speak to you. What is he
saying? Are there areas of your soul he wants to get to? Are there people you
have to forgive? Are there wounds and hurts you need to release to live an
abundant life full of freedom? God desires for us to live free in Christ. Christ
died so we could obtain this freedom. Let's not waste it on grudges and old
wounds that make us bitter, resentful, and poor examples of the Christian life.
Take you one step further and extend that forgiveness if the person is alive and
you know how to get in touch with them. Allow the Word of God to transform your
life mentally and emotionally. Take the steps necessary to create a behavior
change that transforms your life for the better.

While there are many ways to conduct your quiet time, remember this: every
moment we spend with him counts. Whether it's five minutes, an hour, or all day,
God simply wants to be with us. He yearns for our fellowship. When we keep this
perspective and do our best to constantly re-engage ourselves with the Word of
God, listen to God in prayer, and memorize his Word, we'll become the disciples
God desires for us. This, in turn, will help us make disciples as we continue to
pray for Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema

Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's
wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and a
certified writing coach. Her new children’s book Who God Wants Me to Be
encourages girls to discover God’s plan for their careers. When not working, she
enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time
with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website
www.michellelazurek.com.

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