A Quiet Time With God--The Beginning

Before we begin, I just want to make this perfectly clear. I am far from an expert on prayer. I have been wanting to enhance my prayer life, my time with God. So, I did some reading on this subject and just wanted to share with you what I have learned.

Also, if you haven't read the previous post, you might want to go back and look it over before beginning today.

Now, are we all ready to begin? Do you have your Bible, a small notebook, a pen or pencil and yourself? Okay--here we go!!




We are all on a spiritual journey, and we are all on different places in our walk with our Lord. Some of us are baby Christians, some are toddlers taking their first wobbly steps, some are in their teens, and some are mature adults.

But, whatever level we are one in our own personal life, I think that each of use realize and understand that the most intimate communion with God comes through prayer.

The apostle Paul knew this when he wrote:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with Thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus."

Phillippians 4:6-7

So, how do we accomplish this? How do we achieve this peace? How do we learn to talk with God, a quiet time with God every day--a time that we look forward to and don't try to squeeze into our busy schedules. This is what we are going to discover together over the next several days.

In my readings, I have discovered the fact that if we want the best information about any subject, we need to go to an expert in that particular field. If we want to become good at something--a sport, playing the piano. and yes, praying, we need to practice.

In order to learn to pray effectively, consistently, have that quiet time with God every day in our lives, we need to practice and discipline ourselves. Most importantly, we need to study the expert in this field.

We need to look at the person of Jesus Christ. No one has ever prayed more fervently, had more intimate conversations with His Father, or understood the power of prayer more than Jesus. He is the expert of prayer. We are going to examine how Jesus prayed and learn how to apply this to our own lives.

God is willing, ready and able. He is waiting for us to come to into His presence expectantly every day--with an attitude of worship, faith in Him, trust in Him, hope in Him, love for Him--just waiting for us to speak intimately with Him.

No concern of ours is too small or too big for God to handle. We are HIS children, and He wants to hear from us. Think of your own children--are you happy when you pick up the phone and hear their voice? Does it make you feel joyful when you are able to give your children a gift--something they have been longing to have?

Now, apply your own feelings about your children to God's feelings about His children. How much greater joy will God receive when we speak to God, come to Him with our praise, our thanks, our needs and concerns--no matter how great or small.

Paul writes in Romans 8:16-17:

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are God's children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs--
heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that

we may share in His glory."

This is an absolute promise from God. He will cover us with His blessings because we are His children, sons and daughters of the King, and heirs to His Kingdom!

Now, it's time to journal for today:

• Reread the above Scriptures and describe how these verses speak to you personally about each and every need in your life.

Just reading these verses from Phillippians gives me peace. Knowing that I can take my
anxieties, my cares and concerns, my needs (no matter how great or small) to God,
present them to Him, knowing He is in control (no, not me!) relieves me and brings me
tranquility and peace. Sometimes, I will go over and over things in my own mind,
discussing whatever the problem or need is with others, and in my head I already am
telling myself, "I know, I know what the answer is." I have presented this to God already
and He has answered me. It's a matter of moving my head knowledge to my heart.

• Read Psalm 86:5-7. If you don't have a Bible, I have these verses here for you. Meditate on these verses and express in your journal about this makes you feel, knowing that God will answer you.

I feel a great sense of relief!! Knowing that God hears me, will answer me (maybe not in
the way I expected), and knowing beyond a doubt that His will is what is perfect and best
for me. I know that whatever is on my mind, I can bring to Him (He knows
already, anway!) in prayer, and He will embrace me, cry with me, laugh with me, and see
me through. He has never let me go--even when I was far from Him. I am His child and
He loves me always.

• Write a prayer of thanks to God for what you are learning from His Word.

My Father---I thank you for your Word, where I can go in any circumstance in my life,
and learn what You have spoken. There is much in your Word that I do not truly
understand. Please open my heart and mind to your teachings, so that I may follow
You more closely.

• Write your prayers to God, asking Him questions, telling Him your needs, your fears, any concerns you may have.

Abba--I love you. You are mighty and powerful and hold the entire world in Your hands.
I confess to you my sins, some of which I have committed knowingly, and some unknow-
ingly. Please forgive me and help me to learn to have faith and trust in You completely.
Help me to surrender my total life to You, not holding back any part, not even the
smallest part. I want to be totally Yours in all ways.

Help me to find the quiet time to spend with You, not squeezing You in at the end of my
busy day when I am too tired to listen to what You have to say to me.

I pray for my children who do not know You. I fear for them, Lord. Please let them see
You shining in my life, see the changes You have made in me, and bring them to You.

Please help me to bring my anxieties, concerns and fears to You before they overwhelm
me, not after!! Help me to seek You more and more each moment of my life.

• Write a list of what you have talked with God about today.

Trust
Confidence
Surrender
My children
God's Word
Fear, anxieties
Feeling overwhelmed

I'll be back tomorrow to share my journalings with you. If you are participating in this with me, please let me know. Your journals are your own private communion with God, but if you have anything you would like to share, please do so by either linking to your own blog or leaving a comment.

Then, on Friday, we'll move on to your own personal quiet place with God and how He will be waiting for you to come and meet Him there.

Have a blessed day!

Beth