On Quiet Time: Part II

From the perfect face beat to the most effective workout, YouTube seems to have a routine video for just about anything. In the four Gospels, we get a sneak peek into the life of Jesus who had a “habit of retiring to deserted places and praying” (Luke 5:16 ISV). Throughout July, we dissected the ingredients of ‘A Great Life’ at the Lifepointe Church and one thing is certain: a great life is steeped in God’s word and a relationship with Him. Jesus exemplified this perfectly and here we are trying to follow in His steps to attain that full life described in John 10:10, you know, the one Jesus came that we might have. As with the plethora of routine videos on Youtube, we all have different approaches to “quiet time”. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to spending time with God but spend time with Him we must! Here’s another look at how some of Lifepointe’s favorite people spend time with God—you are most welcome for the overload information:

 

Samuel A.

1. 1. Routine VS Spontaneity?

Well, I’d have to go with routine. It’s not the easiest to stick to but it’s always rewarding afterwards.

1. When do you have quiet time?

Mostly mornings before doing anything else and in the evenings at a particular time.

1. What are your top three quiet time essentials?

• My Bible: I use the Amplified bible. I find it quite comprehensive and easy to grasp. I’ve had it for almost 4 years.
• A Pen: Basically, anything that I can write with.
• A Journal: This is something I need to work on as I rarely maintain the same journal, so it can get a little clumsy.

1. On average, how does your quiet time play out?

• 30 mins: Worship. I like to think of myself as a worshipper. (LOL)
• 10 – 30 mins: Prayer Time. This varies. Sometimes, I pray more, but most times worship takes up a huge chunk of my quiet time.
• 10 – 30 mins: Bible Reading. I call this bit “as the spirit leads”. The duration depends on the length of the chapter I’m reading or the length and number of scriptures I noted from a sermon.

 

David O.

1. Routine VS Spontaneity?

Spontaneity.

1. When do you have quiet time?

I\’ve learnt not to be rigid about this. What we call quiet time, I see as meeting to have a conversation with my Father. I wouldn\’t set an appointment to speak with my dad on earth and since God\’s heart is intimacy with us after we\’ve repented and been reconciled to him through Christ, I do believe He is happy to meet with me at any time. At the end of the day, I have multiple quiet times, starting with the morning and whenever I have down time in the course of my day till I go to bed.

1. What are your top 3 quiet time essentials?

The Holy Spirit to teach me (it\’s impossible to be effective without him), my Bible (I like NKJV), my phone for when I want to do more research on something via the Internet and journal plus a pen to write. I know that\’s more than three, but I just had to emphasise the Holy Spirit. We don\’t talk about him enough and he\’s the best part for a believer\’s sojourn on earth. Our helper that makes what could seem abstract without understanding become very real and gives us gifts for our ministry of reconciliation and discipleship.

1. On average, how does your quiet time play out?

I start with either songs or prayer depending on how I\’m feeling, sometimes move to declarations and just continue until I feel like I\’ve poured out my heart to God. While praying, sometimes I get the sense to intercede for specific people. Then I ask Him what\’s on his mind and what He wants me to know. This typically leads to a Bible passage which I study in detail and continue asking questions until I feel satisfied for the day. Then end with prayer. I feel it\’s important to let God lead because He always wants to speak to us in real-time. I don\’t want any barriers taking quite literally the word that says in the presence of God there\’s liberty.

 

Orezi M.

1. Routine VS Spontaneity?

My quiet time is a routine-spontaneous mix.

1. When do you have quiet time?

I make sure I do it in the morning and evening on weekdays. During the weekend, it’s a bit all over the place.

1. What are your top 3 quiet time essentials? 

• My YouVersion Bible App: I love it! I like that I can compare and read different versions of the Bible. It helps me understand what I’m reading in English I can understand. The app also has so many reading plans that help with almost every struggle. I also use it to listen to the Bible when my eyes are tired…shhh!
• Gospel Music: Deep songs by Bethel, United Pursuit and Hillsong, to name a few. They make me want to know more about this God they’re singing about with the way they describe Him! Don’t even get me started.
• My Journal: I love to write my prayers down. It allows me to be more honest, helps me track my progress, answered prayers, areas to work on, cycles and reoccurring issues. I also write all my promises from God and whatever I hear in my Spirit.

1. On average, how does your quiet time play out?

My quiet time routine is dependent on how I’m feeling. I make sure it’s engaging so I do weekly themes. I’ve gone from reading devotionals and listening to sermons, to morning and evening tea with the Holy Spirit, to therapy sessions with the Holy Spirit. I write our conversations down like a script. I talk then I listen to what He says in response. One week, I tried to pull out a chair for Jesus to sit so we could talk but I was too scared to follow through—what if He really appeared?! The areas that I’m consistent with are reading the verse of the day on the YouVersion Bible app—sometimes I stay up till midnight so I can read it. I also do my devotionals and they’re linked to current struggles or areas I want to learn more about. I am part of a bible-in-one-year group chat so we read chapters of the Bible daily. I try to pray, but this may be a chat with God, or praying in the Spirit followed by writing whatever I feel led to write in my journal, or just writing how I am feeling—basically, I give it to God and keep it moving. I feel like my quiet time is beyond my morning and evening routine. I’ve tried to make God the centre of my life so I’m always learning and listening.

 

Roli W.

1. Routine VS Spontaneity?

I’m not really a routine person so definitely spontaneity.

1. When do you have quiet time?

It’s tricky. Sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night. I might wake up and not study my bible but usually have sermons and my audio bible playing in the background throughout my day.

1. What are your top 3 quiet time essentials? 

• Music: I love a good playlist but what I listen to ultimately depends on how I’m feeling. Right now, Nathaniel Bassey’s ‘Olowogbogboro’ is on repeat.
• Sermons: Sometimes, I tailor the sermons to the season I’m in or just listen to a preacher I like. I’m a fan of Mensah Otabil’s preaching style—he’s very structured.
• My Bible: This is a given.

1. On average, how does your quiet time play out?

Honestly, my quiet time stretches throughout my day. I’ve made a habit of creating an atmosphere of “quiet time” around me. If I feel led to pray in the spirit during my commute to work in the morning, I do that. I pray in the spirit at random points throughout my day. I just don’t limit anything to my “quiet time”.