In His Presence: Practical Tips for Daily Devotional Time with God

As a follower of Jesus Christ, there should naturally be a desire to grow daily in your relationship with Him. A crucial step to accomplishing this is by spending time daily in the Word and in prayer. I refer to this as my Quiet Time. My goal is to spend time each morning reading and contemplating Scripture, followed by time in prayer. Here are a few practical steps that I believe can help you begin and maintain a daily time alone with God.

1. Make a Commitment to Observe a Daily Quiet Time

• Decide that your Quiet Time will be your first priority each day.
• Decide that each morning you will avoid thoughts like, “After a while, I will have my quiet time. But first, I must …

2. Develop a Plan for Observing Your Daily Quiet Time.

• Choose a quiet place with minimal distractions to read your Bible and take notes.
• Make your spot a daily habit. (Me… get my coffee and get to my spot)

Part 1: Getting in His Word – Bible Study – 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12

Begin your Quiet Time by reading a passage of Scripture. Select and read a daily passage prayerfully, asking God to speak to you as you read it.

As you read ask the Lord to call to your attention any:

• Examples to follow
• Attitudes to change
• Commands to obey
• Errors to confess
• Sins to quit
• Promises to claim
• Truths to embrace

Remember to Read the Word, Meditate on the Word, and then Apply the Word into your life.  Use a notebook to make a record of the insights you gain as God speaks to you through His Word.

Part 2: Talking and Listening to God – Prayer

As you commune with God each day, be sure your conversation covers these five areas:

1. Adoration / Praise – Psalm 95:1-6; Psalm 150:1-6

• Adoration for His greatness and His glory.
• Praise for who He is and for what He has done.

2. Confession Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9

• Ask the Lord to make you aware of any sins in your life.
• Confess each sin individually to the Lord.
• Agree with God that the sin is wrong.
• Express your desire to avoid these sins in the future.
• Claim by faith His forgiveness.
• Right the wrong to whatever extent you can.
• Accept by faith the fact that you are totally cleansed and forgiven.

3. Thanksgiving – Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

• Express your thankfulness for specific things.
• Cultivate a general attitude of thankfulness whatever the circumstance.

4. Intercession – Praying for Others – 1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:18

• Pray for the needs of other people.
• Make a list and pray through it.
• Follow through by checking on those you have been praying for.

5. Petition – Praying for Yourself – Jeremiah 33:3; Philippians 4:5

• Share with God the desires of your heart and trust Him to respond in the best possible way.

• Pray for spiritual growth.

• Pray for your material needs.

Bee-Attitude

Blessed are you when you seek the presence of the Lord, for then you will find great joy and purpose in living for Him.