How to Spend Intentional Time with God
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
Do you have a plan in place for personal quiet time with the Lord?
For many of us, the idea of spending time with God feels important, but figuring out how to do it consistently can feel confusing or overwhelming. Life moves quickly. Schedules fill up. Before we know it, the day has come and gone without intentionally making space to meet with God.
I’d like to share my personal quiet time plan in hopes that it might spark momentum if this is a new concept for you, or perhaps provide fresh inspiration if this discipline is already part of your life.
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s simply making space to seek God first.
Creating Space to Meet with God
My time with the Lord begins the night before.
I intentionally set an early alarm so that I can reserve a quiet moment of the day to spend time with Him before the responsibilities of the day (*cough* two rambunctious boys) begin to compete for my attention. Early mornings work best for me, but your quiet time doesn’t have to happen at dawn. What matters most is choosing a time when you can be attentive and undistracted.
I also have a particular spot picked out in advance. It’s a small but intentional space where I’ve already placed the things I need (my Bible, journal, pen, etc.).
Preparing the space ahead of time removes excuses and helps me step into my quiet time with focus rather than scrambling to gather materials.
Before I begin, I often light a candle. Throughout Scripture, God’s presence is often symbolized by fire (Ex. 3:2-4, 13:21, 19:18; Dan. 7:9; Heb. 11:29), and the flicker of the flame gently reminds me that I am entering into the presence of the Lord.
Beginning with Worship and Perspective
Once I’m settled, I spend a few moments focusing on an attribute of God.
Sometimes I reflect on His faithfulness. On other days, I meditate on His holiness, His mercy, His power, or His kindness. Beginning with God’s character shifts my perspective. Instead of rushing into requests or concerns, I start by remembering who He is.
This naturally leads me into worship.
I also ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate my understanding as I open Scripture. The Bible is God’s living Word, and the Spirit is the One who helps us understand and apply it.
Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit…and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (NASB)
When we approach Scripture with humility and expectation, God uses His Word to shape our hearts in ways we could never accomplish on our own.
What the Core of My Quiet Time Looks Like
The core of my quiet time varies depending on the season.
Sometimes I work through a structured Bible study that includes a workbook and daily assignments. I am someone who thrives on that kind of accountability, so having guided questions or daily homework helps me stay engaged and consistent.
At other times, I may listen to a podcast from a trusted Bible teacher or spend an extended period of time in prayer, simply talking to and listening to God.
Another rhythm I enjoy is walking slowly through a book of the Bible verse by verse using a method I learned from Anne Graham Lotz called “The 3 Questions.”
With this approach, you take a passage of Scripture and ask three simple questions for each verse:
What does it say?Carefully observe what the text is actually stating. State the facts.
What does it mean?Consider the context and the spiritual truth God is communicating.
What does it mean to me?Ask how this truth should shape your life, attitude, or actions today.
This method encourages you to slow down and truly absorb God’s Word rather than rushing through it.
Designing a Quiet Time That Fits You
One of the beautiful things about a relationship with God is that it is deeply personal. The way you spend time with Him may look different from someone else’s, and that’s perfectly okay.
If you’re creative or visual, you might play worship music and illustrate a verse in a journal or create a prayer journal with colors, symbols, or hand-lettered Scripture.
If you’re kinesthetic, you may enjoy taking a prayer walk along the beach or hiking a trail while talking with God and reflecting on His creation.
If you’re auditory, you might listen to an audio Bible or a trusted Bible teacher, sing worship songs, or pray out loud.
If you enjoy journaling, you could slowly read a passage of Scripture and write your prayers, reflections, and insights.
If you appreciate structure, working through a guided Bible study or devotional plan can help you stay consistent.
If you’re relational, you might occasionally meet with a friend to read Scripture and pray together.
If you enjoy memorization, you could focus on learning one verse each week and repeating it throughout the day.
The sacred time you spend with Jesus will reflect the unique relationship you share with Him. With a bit of prayer and imagination, you can develop a plan that fits your personality, schedule, and spiritual rhythms.
Quiet Time Is Not a Checklist
It’s important to say something that many people need to hear: Time with God is not meant to become another item on your to-do list.
Quiet time isn't about checking a spiritual box or measuring your faithfulness by how many days you keep it up. Instead, it is meant to be a time of refreshment. An opportunity to understand God’s heart and allow Him to shape yours.
There are seasons when our rhythms are consistent and steady, and there are seasons when life disrupts those patterns. I can’t say that I stay perfectly on track 100% of the time. None of us does. But what I do know is this: If we never make a plan, we will likely never begin.
A simple plan creates space for a life-giving habit that can deepen your relationship with God in ways you may never have imagined.
Let’s Personalize This
Do you currently have a quiet time action plan? If not, take a few minutes right now, while it’s fresh on your mind, to write down a few ideas that could help you establish a rhythm of daily time with the Lord. Think about:
When you will meet with God
Where you will spend that time
What tools you might use (Bible, journal, a formal study workbook, etc.)
How you will minimize distractions
Small, intentional steps can lead to profound spiritual growth over time. Remember, God isn’t waiting for a perfect plan.
He’s simply waiting for you.
Comments