Quiet Time Doesn't Have to Be Boring, You Know!

Do you feel guilty when you ‘just don’t feel like’ having quiet time with God?

I know I need to spend time with God. Not only because my Sunday school teacher in elementary school told me so. Deep down, I realize my need to fill my heart with His Word. That it is important for me to speak with God and listen to Him in prayer.

Yet when the alarm clock starts shrieking at 5:30 a.m., while my bed feels warm and cozy, or when I get home after a crazy workday and all I want is to watch Netflix, my first desire is not always to open the Bible and pray.

And that makes me feel bad.

So, which is better?

I think that no matter what, we still need to come to God. Even if it feels awkward, we can be honest with Him and tell Him what we are feeling. (A little spoiler God already knows!) The most beautiful thing we can ask of Him is to change our hearts.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Isn’t that amazing? God is willing and able to come into the disgusting places in our hearts and cleanse them. Equipping us to live the best life He has designed for us.

When we let our feelings lead our actions, we are actually stepping onto a spiritual slope that is very slippery. Letting feelings control other parts of our lives will trap us in trouble. What if every day you decided whether or not to go to work based only on ‘whether you feel like it’? Or what if you ate whatever you wanted, even if that meant pizza five times a week? A lifestyle like that would not last long.

And here is the key even when we are reluctant to prioritize time for God above other areas of life, simply doing it is already an act of obedience that shows God we are serious about seeking Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 declares, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

When we sacrifice our time, activities, or pleasures to seek God, He will not leave us waiting. He will meet you right away, and you will not leave empty-hearted or unsatisfied.

If you are going through a dry season in your quiet time, think of other ways to engage with God’s Word and worship Him in prayer.

Here are a few ideas to spark your creativity, so your quiet time can stay enjoyable and meaningful:

1. Choose a different place

You would be surprised how a change of setting can give a fresh new perspective. Try going to a cafe to read the Bible. Or go to a quiet area around your neighborhood and dedicate time to prayer. Have fun and personalize the experience as much as you can! Even if you do not have time to go anywhere, having quiet time in a different room or corner of the house can help restore your focus on God’s Word.

2. Worship Him through art

Whether you paint like Picasso or can only manage stick figures (like me), combining art with Bible study can be a fun way to understand God’s truth. Try writing out Bible verses in different lettering styles. Or make an illustration of a Bible story. Bible journaling is popular right now, and it usually gives you space in the margins to write, draw, and express your creativity.

3. Pray out loud

When no one is listening? Yes! I admit, this felt awkward at first. But praying out loud helps remind me that, yes, I really am talking to God. He is real, and He can hear me. It also keeps my mind from being easily distracted by other things.

4. Play an instrument

I love playing guitar. I enjoy choosing a Psalm and plucking the strings until I find melodies that fit its verses. It does not mean I am writing a song that will explode on the charts or sharing it with anyone else. This is simply my personal time with God, and singing the words of Scripture helps me understand His Word in a new and meaningful way.

5. Listen to the Bible

If you do not like reading, try listening to an audio Bible. There are many free apps such as Alkitab Suara (Indonesia), Bible.is (English, Indonesian, Javanese) that make it easy for us to explore the Bible and choose chapters to listen to. This is a wonderful way to review and study verses you have read before.

Whatever you do, do not neglect your quiet time with God through Scripture and prayer. Our spiritual journey has different seasons. But God is always willing to meet us when we come humbly to know Him more.