How to Spend Quiet Time With God Every Day

In our spiritual formation Bible study, one of the practices we are learning is something that sounds simple, but can feel surprisingly difficult: being quiet with God.

Not praying with a long list. Not rushing through a devotional. Not multitasking while listening to worship music in the background.

Just quietly sitting with Him.

For us, silence feels uncomfortable at first. We are used to noise, schedules, notifications, responsibilities, and constant movement. Even when our environment is quiet, our minds often are not.

But throughout Scripture, we repeatedly see God drawing people away from distraction and into quiet places.

Why Quiet Time With God Matters

Quietness creates space for awareness.

Many times we ask God to speak, yet we fill every moment with noise. We rush from one thing to another without ever slowing down enough to notice His presence.

Scripture reminds us:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Stillness is not laziness. It is intentional surrender.

When we become quiet before God, we begin to:

• notice what is shaping our hearts

• recognize areas of stress and distraction

• become more aware of God’s presence

• allow our thoughts to settle

• listen instead of only speaking

  
  

For families, this practice can also become deeply formative. In a culture where every moment is filled with screens, entertainment, and rushing, learning to sit quietly with God teaches children that faith is not just activity — it is relationship.

Why Silence Feels So Difficult

Many people discover quickly that silence is harder than expected.

The moment we become quiet:

• our thoughts race

• worries surface

• to-do lists appear

• emotions we ignored begin to rise

  
  

I have been through this process before and drifted away. However, I wanted to begin incorporating these practices into my family because they do matter, it is direction altering, and it is life changing.

The first things I noticed was my office is too noisy. It's next to the staircase where people are going up and down. Next to the bathroom with people going in and out. No, that would not work.

I relocated to our bedroom, a little further away from the life of the house, and indeed, it was quieter there. I put on some ocean sounds to help drowned out any residual noise, but I found that even ocean waves in their irregular-ness pattern, as little as it seemed, distracted me.

I turned that off and heard the ceiling fan pinging repeatedly as it does, BUT there was something there, something I could work with. I struggled for a few minutes and finally asked God to help me. I began to breathe and lean my spirit into the Lord as I so easily had been able to do years past, but seemed so difficult now, and I immediately burst into tears.

Sometimes we avoid silence because we are uncomfortable with what we may discover there.

Other times, life simply feels too loud.

We rarely experience uninterrupted moments. Work schedules are demanding. Phones constantly pull at our attention. Even good responsibilities can leave little room for stillness.

And honestly, sitting quietly can feel unproductive in a world obsessed with constant output.

But spiritual formation often happens slowly, quietly, and beneath the surface.

God does not usually compete with chaos. He invites us away from it. And for me, He showed me a way through it.

Finding Your Quiet Place

Your quiet place does not have to be perfect or Pinterest-worthy.

It may be:

• a chair before everyone else wakes up

• your car before walking into work

• a porch swing in the evening

• a quiet corner of your home

• a walk outside

• a room after the children go to bed

  
  

Jesus Himself often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

The important part is not the location itself — it is creating intentional space to meet with God consistently.

Your quiet place should feel:

• minimally distracting

• calming

• separated from constant demands when possible

You also shouldn't fixate on how long to be quiet. Sometimes you may only be able to get five minutes. That still matters. God doesn't ask for a quota or quantity of minutes like this world does, He simply wants quality.

5 minutes of quality time with His children is much more productive than 30 minutes of forced shrugging, thumb shuffling, awkward unwillingness. Maybe, as a parent with your own children, you might agree that 5 minutes of their genuine attention is worth more then 1,000 years of forced close proximity.

How to Be Quiet With God

Many people ask, “What am I supposed to do during quiet time?”

The answer may feel surprisingly simple: You do not always have to do anything.

Start by slowing down.

Take a breath.

Put away distractions.

Sit comfortably.

Release the pressure to perform spiritually.

If you're struggling to be still, a few simple practices can help:

Begin With a Short Prayer

Invite God into the moment.

“Lord, help me become aware of Your presence.”

Read a Small Portion of Scripture

Not to rush through chapters, but to slowly reflect.

You may sit quietly with only one verse.

Listen More Than You Speak

Allow space between thoughts and prayers.

Silence is not empty when God is present.

Notice What Surfaces

Sometimes God reveals:

• stress

• bitterness

• exhaustion

• gratitude

• peace

• conviction

Quietness often uncovers what busyness hides.

Let It Be Imperfect

Some days will feel peaceful. Other days your thoughts will wander constantly.

That does not mean you failed.

Learning silence is a process.

Building This Practice in a Family

Those we are discipling do not need lengthy silent retreats to begin learning stillness.

Even a few quiet moments together can be meaningful.

With children you might:

• light a candle during family devotion time

• sit quietly together for one minute

• listen to soft worship music

• spend time outdoors noticing God’s creation

• practice gratitude quietly before bed

With a friend or church member you are discipling you might:

• Practice together the first time if time and place allows

• Touch base with them once a week to discuss how their silent time is going

• Encourage them through the struggles of learning to be still in His presence

• Share with each other what God is imparting to you in your silent moments

These small moments teach that being with God is not only about doing — it is also about resting in His presence.

Final Encouragement

Quiet time with God may feel unfamiliar at first, especially in a world built on distraction and speed. But often, some of the deepest spiritual growth happens when we finally slow down enough to listen.

Not every moment of silence will feel profound. Not every quiet time will feel emotional or powerful. But faithfulness in stillness shapes us over time. God is not asking for perfection. He is inviting us into presence.

And sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is simply become quiet long enough to notice that He is already there.

My Prayer

Father, help us quiet our lives to hear you. You know the loud things in all of our lives that keep us from hearing you. I ask that you intervene in those areas in a louder way. Break through our noise. Your small voice is louder than every enemy. All we need to do is listen. Help us to do that better and to have better relationship with you. Amen.