Where Do We Get the Concept of Quiet Time in the Bible?
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- Updated May 05, 2022
In Christian circles, it is very common to hear terms without truly understanding where they came from or knowing what is their purpose. The term “quiet time” is a phrase used among the church to define a time spent alone with God and being in His Word, praying, and having a time of personal worship. Where do we get the concept of quiet time in the Bible?
Scriptures about Time Alone with God
First off, we see countless Scripture verses about the importance of spending time alone with God. He tells us to look to Him, be still in His presence, and sit alone in silence before Him.
- 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Look to the Lord and his strength seek His face always.”
- Psalm 46:10 says, “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”
- Lamentations 3:25-28 says, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.”
We go to God for strength, to know Him more, to praise His name, to present our requests to Him, and to hope in Him. When we are weary, we find rest for our souls in Him. When we are afraid, we sit in His peace. When we need reminding of who God is, He tells us clearly in His Word.
Jesus Modeled Getting Away with God
Jesus Himself lived a life of having a regular rhythm of going away to a place of solitude to be with the Father. He lived the model life of perfection, without sin. We look to Him as our example. This means that as we observe His dedication to seeking the Lord through time with Him, we too need to value this regularly.
- Matthew 14:13 says, “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.”
- Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
- Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
- John 6:15 says, “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.”
We read words such as solitary, lonely places, or by Himself. Jesus set a model for seeking God as individuals. He pulled away from the temptation to always do faith with others and sought the Lord personally. He had an authentic relationship with God. He modeled that spending alone time with the Lord is a choice that requires the action of getting away to an isolated place to have full focus on our Father.
Luke 22:41-44 talks about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest. Even though His disciples were with Him, he went a little further away from them and knelt and prayed. Jesus knew that we are called to fellowship, but we are also called to intimacy. We can only grow in intimacy if we are spending personal time together with another.
Praise, Prayer, Silence
There are different things we can do in our time with God. There is no exact manual in the Bible on “How to have the best quiet time.” There is however guidance in what can be done and a variety of ways that we can connect with the Lord.
We can sing His praise.
Psalm 104:33 says, “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
We can pray to Him with thanksgiving.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
We can be silent before God:
Psalm 37:7 says, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Each person is unique. Every relationship with the Lord is special. We each have our own personalities and skills. One person might want to paint before the Lord, another sing, another might write poetry. Our offerings of praise to Him are endless. We should always value and make time for His Word. The Bible is God’s gift to us of His message of the gospel and how He is actively speaking to us still today through it. (Hebrews 4:12) Silence often goes to the back burner because of our hustle mentality, but slowing down and emptying our thoughts allows us to be filled up with thoughts from the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and direct us. Through praise, prayer, and silence, we can grow in our closeness to Christ.
How to Start a Regular Quiet Time
Prioritize a Time: Maybe you have never had a quiet time in your life? Perhaps you want to grow more in your time with God? We can always be pressing in to relationship with our Savior. You can start a daily time with God by simply making it part of your routine. Set your alarm back 20 or 30 minutes and carve out that time or another set time each day when you know that you will have solitude with the Lord.
Pray: Ask God to open your mind to understand His Word. Thank Him for blessings, and ask Him for requests. Tell Him what is on your heart like you would a friend. Know that He hears you.
Read the Bible: Whether you use a Bible study resource or devo to supplement your time in the bible, make sure that you are reading the actual Bible. It is easy to rely on the words of others that are encouraging, but only the Bible has authority and transforming power. When we read God’s Word that is how we better know Him and become the people He desires us to be for His glory.
Give Grace: No one is going to have the perfect quiet time every day. If you miss a day or a week, don’t beat yourself up. God still loves you just the same. Spending time with Him is a benefit to us and a gift to show Him we love Him. Pray that it would be a desire for you to meet with Him and He would help you if you struggle to want to have quiet time.
Be Open: Be willing to follow the Holy Spirit. Do not hold on so tightly to a reading plan or a study that you miss the movement of God. Maybe the Spirit puts a person on your mind to pray for? You could feel led to sing a certain worship song? Maybe you need to be still and know. Every time with the Lord does not have to look the same. Find freedom in adventuring with Him.
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