9 Tips for Spending Quality Time with God

The new year is a great time to renew our commitment to spiritual disciplines. Perhaps the busyness of the Christmas season drew us away from time with God. Perhaps we got so caught up in the problems and demands of life we drifted away without even realizing it.

Whatever the reason, we can start again. God is waiting for us to turn our attention and our hearts back to Him. The following 8 tips will help us not only stick to our daily appointment with God, they will also help us really connect with Him.

1. Establish a regular place and time – We are creatures of habit. If we know when and where we will meet with God daily we are much more likely to do it. Build it into your daily schedule. If this is new for you, start small, commit to it and God will grow it.

2. Organize your “tool” box – Gather your tools (Bible, reading plan, journal, pen, etc.) and keep them together in your designated spot so you’ll always be prepared. (I’ve found having a reading plan greatly increases the chance of me staying in the Word regularly. Without a plan, reading stays haphazard at best. I have several plans available on my “free resources” page.)

3. Start with prayer – Ask God to speak to you and help you understand His Word today. Thank Him for meeting with you.

4. Begin to read the Bible – Remember your purpose is to communicate with God. Expect God to speak to you through His Word. Don’t read hastily just to get through the passage. Let God stop you.

5. Meditate on the passage – Meditation is not emptying your mind. It is deep thinking on spiritual truths. As you read, linger over verses that impact you. Ask God questions and “listen” for His answers. Does this passage reveal something you should …

Believe about God?
Praise or thank or trust God for?
Pray about for yourself or others?
Make a decision about? Act on?

6. Pray as you read – Time with God should be interactive. Respond to God as He speaks to you through His Word.

7. Journal – Record what God says to you and how you will respond. Writing can help you stay focused on God and His voice.

8. Memorize – Commit to memorize verses God calls special attention to. Knowing Scripture by heart helps us guard against sin, reminds us of God’s promises, provides guidance, and allows us to meditate on God’s Word anywhere and anytime. (Here’s some tips for memorizing Scripture.)

9. Application – Apply to your life whatever God says to you through prayer and His Word. It may be repentance. It may be a change in behavior. It may be a specific action.

Let’s share! What do you find to be the hardest thing about spending regular time with God? What has helped you keep your commitment?