Renovating Your Quiet Time
From time to time my quiet time needs a renovation. My daily routine can begin to snuff the joys of discovery and mold me into a machine. I have found a couple of methods that reawaken my pleasure and interest in my devotions that will hopefully be helpful to anyone who is looking for a fresh perspective in their quiet time.
1. Try a different location. By this I mean a physical location. I have a normal place reserved for my quiet times, but sometimes it has helped my spirit to venture outdoors with my Bible and need for prayer. Find a secluded spot embraced by God’s creation. I have been amazed at how visual reminders of God’s handiwork can revive my spirit and enhance my time with the Lord.
2. Pray with a friend or mentor. This tip greatly helped me a few weeks ago when I was struggling in prayer. I would begin to pray but nothing would come. No words. No feelings. I slipped downstairs and asked Mom to pray with me. She joyfully agreed, and hearing her pray and approaching God together proved a needed encouragement. Praying together with other people is both motivating and a blessing.
3. Break up your Bible reading plan with a in-depth study. Sometimes reading God’s Word becomes a duty with few delights. Break up your reading plan with a topical or book focused study. Many times while reading through the Old Testament, I have selected an epistle from the New Testament to dig in deeper a few days out of the week. Right now I am going through Philippians which has provided great amounts of encouragement as I slowly go through each chapter with my journal open for insights.
4. Open your Bible dictionary. Many biblical words have deeper meanings and implications than we know. Take a passage you are studying and research the true definitions and meanings behind a handful of words. Journal your findings. A few weeks ago I dissected 2 Timothy 3:16 and found a bucket full of treasures I have never discovered hidden in the meaning of the selected words.
5. Accompany your Bible study with a faithful devotional. This should not distract from or substitute for God’s Word, but rather enhance your time with the Lord. I like to read from my selected devotional before I begin my study. It helps arouse my mind and focus on the truths in God’s Word. My Utmost for His Highest, Keep a Quiet Heart, Morning and Evening, and Taste and See are simply a few of the great devotionals to choose from.
6. Sing to the God who set you free. This little tip has given me much joy in my walk with the Lord. Find or make a CD of Christ centered worship songs that will help lead you to the throne of Grace. Lock yourself in your room or go for a drive and sing your heart out. Think about the words you are singing. Reflect on what God has done for you. Tell Him why He is awesome. Describe to Him your love.
I hope these suggestions will help you renovate your very important quiet time with the Lord. These have proven to be helpful for me numerous times.
Feel free to share some “tips” the Lord has used in your life to revive your devotional time and draw you closer to Him. I would love to hear them!
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Filed under: Devotional Life, Scripture on August 14th, 2008
I somtimes find myself falling into a rut with my Bible reading as well. I become most discouraged when I’m going through a challenging book in the Old Testament. My mind wanders so much! I really like your suggestion to go outside do devotions. Being around creation makes me dwell on the Lord’s handiwork and is such a wonderful environment for learning more about Him.
My Utmost for His Highest is my favorite devotional book! I read through it last year, but I would actually like to start it again next year. I’ll have to look into those other devotional books.
~Sara
Great ideas Kaysie! I’m going to renovate my quiet time soon. I’m one of those who likes small changes every now and then!
One renovation I thought of is to change the time in which you do your devotions, or just put a ‘twist’ on it. For instance, if it’s a pretty day, take a walk in the morning beforehand and use that time to admire God’s creation and pray. You could carry that prayer into devotion time, or vice versa! (carrying your prayer in the morning into the morning walk) It’s not something I’d like to do everyday, but like I said, a change feels good sometimes!
Ditto Sara! Sometimes I find myself finished reading a chapter in a book like Numbers, and don’t even remember anything! (though I have that problem in general too…) I’m an “auditory learner”, which means I learn best by hearing it, rather than seeing or doing it, and so it helps greatly to sometimes read scriptures aloud to myself. So if any of Kaysie’s readers are auditory learners, you might find that helpful too!
Hey!
Those are great suggestions. Lately I have been having such a difficult time staying focused during my Bible and prayer time. I often begin to worry about school and things that need to be completed and get distracted.
~Zoe
Wow, great ideas! I will totally be using those in my bible study! Thanks!
RYC: I’m glad I entertained you, I think the post was a bit random though. Not what I normally do, lol.
I can always count on inspiration from reading your posts! Thanks for all of these great idea’s! I tend to get stuck in a rut and need something “different!” I will definitely be trying a few of these in my Coffee time with God!
I’m like Zoe.
I like to write God a poem sometimes, or just write to Him. Playing my guitar and singing to Him is also lovely
I like the first one you mentioned. It helps me a lot. This post was actually quite timely for me. Thanks for posting it.
And thanks, Lord, for letting me read it! In Jesus’ Name, amen!
I love #6! I am trying to do that more. Very good Kaysie! Thanks for the suggestions. I am thinking of doing “My Utmost for His Highest” next year, after I am done reading through the Bible. We have the book, but at Barnes and Nobles the other day I saw a really nice version that has a built in journal. I am thinking about asking for that for Christmas.
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