My Quiet Time With the Lord

Meeting God in the Secret Place
Last month I picked up a book at the thrift shop and paid $.25 for it. This book has been like finding a gold mine. It is worth $1,000 to me. This author inspired me through his writing to pursue a more personal and intimate relationship with the Lord during my Quiet Time.

My Quiet Time is no longer an obligation, but it is a time that I look forward to. This author stated in his book, “The Lord is waiting for you—all you have to do is shut the door”. Matthew 6:6 shut the door…pray to the Father in secret.

The author also stated that he reads in four different places everyday. I started this method, and I love it. First,  I read  one chaper from Genesis-Malachi (except Psalms-Song of Solomon) Second, I read 1 chapter from Psalms-Song of Solomon. Third, I read 1 chapter from Matthew-John. Fourth, I read 1 chapter from Acts-Revelation. After reading each chapter, I place a small mark by the chapter that I have just read.

I am discovering that during my Quiet Time, I need to listen for God’s voice more than continually talk. The author of this book says, “The power of prayer is found, not in convincing God of my agenda, but in waiting upon Him to hear His agenda”.

You may ask me, “How do you hear God’s voice?” I hear it by that still small voice in my spirit and by His Word. When I read a Scripture, the Lord personalizes that Scripture for me.

Psalm 87:7…I answered thee in the secret place… Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

It is amazing how the Holy Spirit will bring to my mind those people who are in special need of my prayers for the day. I have a special section in my email organizer for daily prayer requests. I review those requests sometime during the day just to refresh my memory of special prayer needs.

There have been times in my life that I would sit down and watch television, thinking that this activity would renew me or fill some void. What I am discovering is that  watching television leaves me empty, but getting into God’s Word and listening for His voice energizes me. 

Instead of my Quiet Time being a legalistic time, it is becoming a sweet time of fellowship with the Lord. As I pray these verses back to the Lord, they are coming alive to me!

Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word.
Psalm 119:102 I have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou hast taught me.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Oswald Chambers says, “Everything in our Christian life and service flows from our relationship with God. If we are not in vital fellowship with Him, everything else will be out of focus”.

I have also discovered that during my Quiet Time, the Lord helps me make wiser decisions.

Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.

Here are a few ways that I am discovering which are helping me make my Quiet Time more intimate and personal. I pray that these suggestions will be a blessing to you.

1.  I listen to devotional music during this time. 

2.  I start by pouring out my love to the Lord. 

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.
Psalms 87:7…all my springs (my motives) are in Thee.

3.  I pray different Scriptures.

Here are a few  examples of verses to pray to the Lord, but every place you look in God’s Word; you will find Scriptures to do this.
Ps. 100:5 Lord, You are good and Your mercy is everlasting!
Ps 19:14 Lord, You are my strength and my redeemer.
Ps 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts and respect all Your ways.

4.  I journalize my prayers and write down the Scriptures the Lord makes real to me.

5.  I beg the Lord to manifest Himself to me through His Word. 

6.  I meditate more on His Word.

Instead of just trying to finish reading the Bible through in a legalistic way, I have begun to slow down my reading and to meditate and to study various verses and phrases.Ps 77:6… “I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit makes diligent search.

 My Quiet Time

I daily seek a quiet place
That’s far from trouble and strife
Where I can piece together all
The puzzles of my life
It’s there, away from TV and books
And far from the telephone,
That I can fellowship with God; Just He and I alone
And there God pours His balm of love; Into the life I live,
And there I find a peace and joy
That only He can give.
I will not fear the circumstances; I face from day to day
For daily, in my quiet place, I’m learning how to pray.
                                     Glenda Fulton Davis