QUIET TIME ALONE WITH GOD

By Admin Bible Study November 27, 2022

INTRODUCTION

Often times we read in the scriptures that Jesus Christ went to a mountain alone to pray (Matt 14:23, Mark 6:45-46). He would go to a quiet, lonely place to pray and commune with God. On such occasions, He would send the multitude away; sometimes He would even send his disciples away so that He could be left alone to have a quiet time to commune alone with God. Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord left us this example that we should follow in His steps. That was the way He lived here on earth and God was pleased with Him. We shall therefore study this lifestyle He exhibited so that we can do likewise in our daily walk with God. May God give us understanding as we study this aspect of Christian lifestyle.

WHAT IS QUIET TIME? Psalms 5:1-3, 55:16 -17, Luke 9:28-32, Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:22 -23, Luke 6:12

“Quiet time” is the period of time we deliberately set aside to pray and commune alone with God. It is a time you set aside as an individual child of God to speak with your heavenly Father not because you have any request or immediate need but to just be there talking to your Father in Heaven. It must be free from every disturbance and distraction in order for it to be effective. That is why Christians over the years refer to it as “QUIET TIME”. During that period, you have an opportunity to speak to God and God speaks to you. David, the King of Isreal, practiced such a thing in the Old testament. He set aside times early in the morning, at noon and even at night to commune with God. Our Lord Jesus Christ also did the same. He would rise up a great while before day and go to a lonely place to pray and commune with God. Even you also must set aside such a time or times daily, preferably early in the morning or at night as Jesus did, to meet with God.

THE NECESSITY OF QUIET TIME IN OUR WALK WITH GOD.

TO WORSHIP AND PRAISE GOD AS AN INDIVIDUAL. John 4:24, 1 Pet 2:5,9; Psalms 103:1-5.

Since He is your God and you are His child, worship Him. The Quiet time is one good opportunity you have as an individual to worship Him and praise His Holy name, calling to remembrance all His benefits to your life.

TO HEAR GOD SPEAK TO YOU AS A PERSON. Jer 29:11, Ps 32:8, John 15:4-7, Prov 4:20-22, Jn 6:63, Acts 17:11.

The Lord delights to relate with you and walk with you as an individual even though He also relates with us together as the body of Christ. He has particular thoughts that He is thinking about you and has instructions for you as a person. It is your responsibility as a child of God to draw nigh to God daily, study His Word and receive instructions from His mouth for your life. His word is life to those that find it and health to all their bones.

TO PRAY AND RECEIVE GRACE (GOD’S HELP) AND DIRECTION FOR THE DAY. 1 JH 1:9, Phil 4:6, Heb 4:16, Psalms 25:4, 2 Kings 6:15-17, 2 Tim 2:1-3.

God is the source of the life in you now. There is need to pray and receive help day by day. Instead of worrying about anything, pray about everything. If you remember any sin you committed and are yet to confess to God, confess it and ask God for forgiveness. The quiet time is an opportunity to open your heart to God as His child and pray to Him.

THE QUIET TIME IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR THE BUILDING UP OF YOUR LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN AND FOR RENEWING YOUR STRENGTH. Isaiah 40:29-31, Jude 20.

There is no one that runs in this life without being weary. Only God has an inexhaustible strength. Anyone who waits on Him shall renew his strength. As you spend time with the Lord during your quiet time, God renews your strength and gives you courage to face the challenges ahead.

QUIET TIME ALONE WITH GOD 2

HOW TO HAVE YOUR QUIET TIME ALONE WITH GOD.

You can follow this pattern below as seen in the scriptures in order to have a fruitful Quiet time every day.

SELECT A TIME AND A PLACE THAT WILL BE QUIET AND MOST SUITABLE FOR YOU TO BE ALONE WITH GOD. Ps 55:17, Ps 5:3, Mk 1:35, Matt 14:22-23, Gen 22:1-3.

All who eventually became useful in God’s hands were early risers and early seekers. Though you may select anytime of the day to meet with God, most people who walked with God rose up early in the morning to seek His face. Jesus, despite His busy schedules the previous day, rose up a great while before day to have His “Quiet Time”. To avoid distraction of sleep and disturbance from His disciples and multitudes, He rose up and went out to a lonely place. You can also do the same. And in the daytime after performing the miracles of feeding 5,000 people, He again sent His disciples and the people away and went up on the mountain alone to pray and commune with God. You can have your Quiet time many times a day but at least once a day. It is a necessity for every believer.

ENTER GOD’S PRESENCE WITH PRAISE. PS 100:1-5, Ps 103:1-5, Luke 11:2, Heb 13:15

God is worthy of our worship and praise. He is our God and we are instructed to enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Praise His Holy name. Meditate on His goodness to you as a person and give Him thanks. The book of Psalms is full of examples on how to praise the Lord with the sacrifice of our lips as it comes from our hearts. With such sacrifice, God is well pleased.

PRAYERFULY SELECT A SCRIPTURAL PASSAGE AND STUDY IT. Ps 119:9-16,18; Josh 1:8; Ps 1:1-3; 2 Cor 3:15-16

Meditate repeatedly over what you have studied, praying that God should speak to you and instruct you from His word. The following questions may help you receive instructions from God’s word:

What does the passage teach about God the Father, Son or the Holy Spirit?
Is there any promise for me to believe and to claim in the passage? Any conditions attached?

Any specific command or instruction for me to obey, or any good example for me to follow in the passage read?

Is there any warning for me to heed or any bad example for me to avoid?
Any prayer for me to pray or to remember?

Ask yourself these questions as you read through the scriptural passage over and over again meditating on it until the Lord gives you understanding. Pray over whatever God says to you with a commitment to obey.

The following Bible reading materials could be of help to you in choosing the scriptures to read for each day:

Daily bread, daily power, daily guide, everyday with Jesus etc. In each of these, every bible reading for the day is normally followed by a brief explanation to give you insight into the scriptures that you have read. It is advisable to read the scriptures first, meditate upon it and receive personal instructions from the Lord first before reading the author’s comment. More blessings will come to you from the scriptures that way.

You also need a complete Bible (with Old Testament and New Testament), a hymn book, a pen and a notebook to write down whatever God teaches you and says to you day by day apart from keeping it in your heart. This normally acts as a reference point and could be of great help to you in the future.

PRAY, MAKING YOUR REQUESTS KNOWN TO GOD. Phil 4:6, Luke 11;9-13, Gal 6;2, 1 Tim 2:1-3.

Quiet time gives you the privilege to ask God for your needs. Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you. God has promised to be a Father unto you (2Cor 6:18). He is able to shoulder your responsibilities. You can also pray for other people and not for yourself alone. There are many people in need of your prayers: needy people, missionaries, your relatives, widows, orphans, etc. Remember them. Also pray for all those who are in authority in your community. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God.

CONCLUSION
God desires that we fellowship with Him as individuals. Men like Joshua, David, and others communed with God from time to time. They set out times daily to pray and receive instructions from the Lord, a “Quiet Time” in God’s presence. The Lord Jesus Christ also made Himself an example to us in this respect that we may follow in His steps. No wonder such men became great in God’s hands in their own time as they tapped the resources of heaven to meet the challenges facing them here on earth. May the Lord help you also as you do likewise, cultivating this lifestyle of daily communing with God. May He open your eyes daily to discover the wonderful things that are written concerning you as you study the Holy Scriptures in Jesus’ name – Amen.