Connecting with God daily. Quiet time ideas.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, He it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. { John 15: }

Quiet time with the Lord daily is such an important part of the christian lifestyle. When we have a relationship with someone we normally spend time with them, talk to them, and trust them.. and that is how it should be in our relationship with Christ as well.

Finding a way to connect with God daily is sometimes difficult, and we often find ourselves comparing to others quiet times and don’t feel like we are measuring up. But, in all reality it doesn’t matter how you worship, praise, and connect with God, as long as you are finding a way to spend time with Him in a way that works for you.

If you are stuck in a hole, or haven’t found a way to spend time with God daily, I pray you can get some inspiration and find ways that will help you grow in your faith in this post.

Praise and worship:

I personally always like to start my quiet time entering God’s presence. I love to start out with a prayer asking God to open my heart, and use this as a time of thanking God for another day. If you need help with prayer: use this time as a time to simply talk to God about anything you are struggling with, or even just a simple thank you for everything He has blessed you with. Prayer is an incredible way to connect with our Father, and can be so powerful.

One thing that I do daily is listen to worship music. I will do this while getting ready in the morning, driving in the car, during my quiet time, etc. I love using music as a way to connect with God. There is SO many great worship songs out there!! Here are a few of my favorite songs:

• Nothing Else : by Cody Carnes
• Goodness of God : by Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson
• Way Maker : by Leeland
• Never Lost : Elevation Worship
• Living Hope : by Phil Wickham
• Hills and Valleys : by Tauren Wells
• We Dance : by Bethel Music & Steffany Gretzinger
• Though You Slay Me : by Shane & Shane

Those are just a few of my favorite christian songs to listen to, but there are SO many songs out there!! Worshipping God through music is one of my favorite ways to praise God, and can be a time where I really connect with Him.

Bible Study:

Next, I love digging into God’s word, and reading through my bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” // This verse shows us that the Lord puts so much importance on the Bible, and it is so important for us to study it.

If you aren’t sure where to start reading the Bible, I really recommend Proverbs, Genesis, Psalms, or James. James is my absolute favorite book in the Bible, and whenever I need some encouragement I always read James.

It can sometimes be hard to really dig in and read the Bible, especially if you don’t like reading… but you can make it fun!!

I have found over the years that works best for me, is whatever I’m reading if any verse sticks out to me I will highlight it and make notes to the side! Using study tools like this can really help you focus and get more out of what you are reading and what God is speaking to you. Use highlighters, pens, stick notes.. whatever you want to use do it! Reading the word of God is so important, and can truly draw us so much closer in our walk with Christ.

Journaling:

Something that I have found that I really enjoy doing this past year is journaling. I love to do my devotional or bible study and write down notes and verses that stick out to me!

I also enjoy writing down what I am struggling with on paper, and writing down verses that go along with my struggle to look back on. I also really enjoy just drawing, writing, or coloring Bible verses, encouraging words, etc. and connecting with God by writing about His truth.

Journaling is something that you can make totally yours, and do it however you want to. Sometimes journaling and writing down things that I need to give complete control over to God can really help me. Journaling is a super fun way to connect with God, if that is something you enjoy doing!!

Prayer list:

One thing I absolutely love doing is praying for others. This is a thing I try to do daily, because truthfully prayer is SO incredibly powerful. Not only praying for yourself and what you are going through, but also the others around you and the people you love. Giving everything over to God, and truly letting Him guide you through every season of life can be so life changing. This is a list I love making of my personal requests, my friends and family’s requests, and any other requests that I see needs prayers.

One way I do this is posting on my Instagram story and asking if anyone has prayer requests, and when people ask for prayers I pray for them. I also love reaching out to my close friends and just simply ask how they are doing, and if they need any prayers or anything!

I love creating these prayer lists to look back on them and remember all the things that I have prayed for!

Reaching out to others and praying for them is a great way to connect with God and be a great leader. Every prayer request is important, no matter how small or big and nothing is too much to bring to God.

Faith / inspirational books:

Finding a great, encouraging book is one thing I love to add into my quiet time routine. There has been so many books, devotionals, etc. that I have read and loved, so here are some of my favorites for you guys!

• Girl, Wash Your Face : by Rachel Hollis
• Live Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion, and Purpose : by Sadie Robertson
• Be Encouraged: A Study Devotional : by Autumn B. Wiggins
• Everybody, Always : by Bob Goff
• All Things are working for your Good : by Joel Osteen
• Jesus Calling – 365 devotions : by Sarah Young
• For I Know the Plans – devotional

Those are just a few of my favorites, but there are so many books, devotionals, etc. out there so if that is something you might enjoy then find one that relates to you! As I’ve grown in my faith, I have realized that reading christian based books is something I really enjoy doing to connect with God.

This is a great way to grow your faith, and God can really use these books and devotions to teach us new things!

I hope this post has given you some ideas to apply to your quiet time with the Lord! Always remember, your quiet time doesent have to measure up to others. Your quiet time is YOURS and you can connect with God in whatever ways that work best for you!

I challenge you to use some of these ways in the next week to connect with God. It is all about growing closer to Him, and glorifying Him in all you do. Spend some time with God daily, and create a quiet time with the Lord that is as special and unique as you!

Thank you for reading! Lots of love, Carsyn!