Curious about Devotional Time

[RThibeault]

Hi, there y'all. I was just wondering what kind of time you spend in devotions every day and what kind of things you do to improve your spiritual lives.

As for me I read my Bible daily and try to spend about 15 minutes in prayer. I believe there is always room for improvement and would like some ideas as to how to improve my devotional time.

 

[ChristsChick]

I usually spend about 15 minutes working through a daily devotional book, then I do my own Bible reading, and finally I pray for anything from 10mins - 1 hour, depending on what's going on in my life and what God is telling me.

One thing I have found which has improved the quality of my quiet time with God is to talk to Him about the issues which are facing me at other times throughout the day, and then when it comes to quiet time I can just be still and let Him speak to me. It also means that when I do come before Him I don't have a million things on my mind, so I can focus on my Bible reading and study.

I guess I don't have that many great ideas, just find what works for you...and pray for God to help improve it.

 

[angelwind]

My time varies. I do not work, and due to health problems I am alone a lot. But it still takes thought and discipline to get my quiet time some days.

I like the very early morning hours the best...but, again do to this season in my life, I am in the word as much as possible.

I have 2 or 3 devotional books I like to read. Then depending upon what happens with the Lord I go into the word from there. I also use written Bible studies a lot.

Sitting before the Lord and getting quiet can take some...or some times...I'm just "there" with Him...thanking and praising Him, singing to Him or using other songs with Him is fun...then prayers...it is not a "set in cement" kind of time. Each day or visit with Him is different.

I can really tell how draining it is on me if I miss too many days of this kind of time with Him...I dry up fast.

 

[RThibeault]

I want to thank those who have responded so far. You have been a great blessing. I would eventually like to be able to spend 2 and a half hours daily in devotion to the Jesus. Please pray that I will be able to develop the discipline to do this.

 

[Truth and Reconciliation]

Great post, my friends.

I usually devote 30 minutes before bedtime to reflective journal writing and another 5-10 minutes of reflective prayer just before bedrest. I pray during the day in short prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and confession. But most of all, I try to live my life for Christ to the extreme. For I care not whether people are judgemental of how I physically show my love and gratitude to my Savior. I just want to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

In Truth,

Vincent

 

[BlessedVegan]

I must say I am impressed with what I'm reading here..I try to read some from the Bible or from some other Christian related book that is teaching me something and I try to pray everyday, but there is no way I go that long! I'd like to..but I don't have that much to say to GOd that I can pray for 15 minutes! I mean..I thank God for the blessings in my life, and ask for help with any problems I'm having, and pray for others..but that lasts 3 or 4 minutes, tops! How do you guys do it? Am I a "bad" Christian for not being able to pray that long? I know I'm not "bad" but I feel like I'm not doin gsomething right..but honestly..I don't know what else to say? what do you guys talk to god aobut for so long?

 

[mythrainbow]

I must say I am impressed with what I'm reading here..I try to read some from the Bible or from some other Christian related book that is teaching me something and I try to pray everyday, but there is no way I go that long! I'd like to..but I don't have that much to say to GOd that I can pray for 15 minutes! I mean..I thank God for the blessings in my life, and ask for help with any problems I'm having, and pray for others..but that lasts 3 or 4 minutes, tops! How do you guys do it? Am I a "bad" Christian for not being able to pray that long? I know I'm not "bad" but I feel like I'm not doin gsomething right..but honestly..I don't know what else to say? what do you guys talk to god aobut for so long?

Im not sure how long I actually take for devotional time, I don't like to limit it, but I don't always have the time to do one long string so I will do it for short periods many times through out the day and they probably only last 3 min.

I work as a security guard and I try to make sure I start each round with prayer, so about every hour, and I work for 8hrs or more. And I have 15 min breaks after each round, so I try to save at least half of that time for reading the bible.

I've only been doing the above schedule for the past week when the lord lead me to do so.

When I'm not working I use CF as sort of an intro to devotional time, because it gives a unique fellowship experience, and God has been using it to lead me what to focus on during devotions, so it can give me a lot of things to talk out with God.

Also when I'm praying normally I may start with the Lord's Prayer or some other written prayer or a psalms, but after that I always end up just talking to Him like He's a best friend, a mentor, or a comforter, because He is all of those things. And I've noticed that if my prayers are not about me but others that I always have a lot more to pray about.

I've noticed that the more times I am able to pray the longer I can pray, although I think I a lot of it has to do with me asking for the desire and ability to do so. Also it seems that I can pray much longer when most of my prayer is devoted to thanking Him for all He's done.

May God bless your devotional time with His love and revelations

 

[RThibeault]

I must say I am impressed with what I'm reading here..I try to read some from the Bible or from some other Christian related book that is teaching me something and I try to pray everyday, but there is no way I go that long! I'd like to..but I don't have that much to say to GOd that I can pray for 15 minutes! I mean..I thank God for the blessings in my life, and ask for help with any problems I'm having, and pray for others..but that lasts 3 or 4 minutes, tops! How do you guys do it? Am I a "bad" Christian for not being able to pray that long? I know I'm not "bad" but I feel like I'm not doin gsomething right..but honestly..I don't know what else to say? what do you guys talk to god aobut for so long?

So many questions.

Are you a bad Christian for not being able to pray that long? No. I don't feel God is all that concerned with the time/amount of prayer. I feel he is more concerned with the attitude.

How do I do it? I usually incorporate worship in with prayer. I like to use some praise music which I often sing along with. If I don't have any praise music, I might just sing some chorus or praise song as the Holy Spirit leads me. I also allow time for God to talk to me about some of the things I've been praying for.

 

[ChristsChick]

I must say I am impressed with what I'm reading here..I try to read some from the Bible or from some other Christian related book that is teaching me something and I try to pray everyday, but there is no way I go that long! I'd like to..but I don't have that much to say to GOd that I can pray for 15 minutes! I mean..I thank God for the blessings in my life, and ask for help with any problems I'm having, and pray for others..but that lasts 3 or 4 minutes, tops! How do you guys do it? Am I a "bad" Christian for not being able to pray that long? I know I'm not "bad" but I feel like I'm not doin gsomething right..but honestly..I don't know what else to say? what do you guys talk to god aobut for so long?

I used to have the same problem, I would set aside say 15minutes, and after a couple I'd be like 'right, what now?'. Then I read a really good book (would love to give you a name so you could check it out, but I can't remember) that basically said Jesus should be your best friend. So think about what you talk to them about, the things that go on in your day, how you felt when somebody cut you off, the person you like...Jesus wants to hear all these things. Also, prayer is meant to be a conversation, a two way thing, so always be listening for God's voice. You aren't a bad Christian for not praying for a set amount of time each day, but (I mean this in the nicest possible way) IMO you need to work on making Jesus your best friend, talk to Him more, get to know Him more through His Word. It won't come overnight and even when you do find yourself finding you have more to say to Him there may still be days when you only want to pray for about 5 mins, but through time as you get to know Him better the amount you have to say to Him will grow too.

I'll pray for you, and RThibeault as well, I would love to have that kind of time to spend in quiet time with God every single day.

 

[RThibeault]

I'll pray for you, and RThibeault as well, I would love to have that kind of time to spend in quiet time with God every single day.

Thanks for the post. I was really blessed. I would also like to have that kind of time to spend in quiet time with God. Actually I have the time, but not the discipline. I am too often distracted by what is on TV.

I am working on doing better though.

 

[christdriven]

What I find is that journaling has helped me beyond what I ever expected. I definatly recommend journaling with bible reading, prayer and meditation time. Just to write out what you've been taught and convicted of can really help to remind yourself even later on what God has really done and continues to do in your life. You can see in your own words your progress of faith and trust in God. And at the same time just get really deeply connected with your saviour.