Following on from our post yesterday (Quiet Times - Part 1), which looked at why we should prioritise a quiet time, today we're going to focus on how we can build a quiet time into our day and what structure they could have. 

Building to a method

• Be persistent & consistent - this is key, rather take a few minutes per day than longer times every other day

• Expect Interruptions - but ask those who do interrupt you to give you some space. If you find your electronic devices are a distraction then switch them off or onto a different mode so they won’t disturb you! Plan your way around distractions rather than finding them frustrating

• If you aren’t using a reading plan or the Bible In One year then use a calendar to mark off the days you’ve managed - this will help you be consistent.

• Have a plan, the simpler the plan the more likely you are to do it and keep on doing it

Method / Structure

There are lots of ways to have a quiet time, you could use the following as a basis:

• Be Quiet - take a few moments to calm down and be quiet

• Pray - ask God to speak to you, let him know you are listening

• Read - some scripture, try to read slowly, the slower you read the more likely you are to take things in. God will speak to you if you give him space.

• Think over what you’ve read - think about what you’ve read, what it means, how it applies. Many people call this meditation - we’ll have a look at this in more detail later

• Write It Down - value what you hear God saying, write it down, keep a record

• Pray again - thank God for what he has shown you & anything else on your mind

Prayer
There is a method of prayer which uses the word ACTS to help you remember:

A - Adoration - thanking God for who he is, reflect on his greatness, love & mercy

C - Confession - ask for forgiveness for sin, accept God’s forgiveness & the work of the cross

T - Thanksgiving - being thankful - thank Him for family, friends, business, church, hardships(?), challenges & blessings (both yours & those of others) - being grateful transforms our outlook

S - Supplication - Asking God for things, ask for others, ask for yourself, include people in your immediate friendship group as well as national and international events, friends, family, for people who haven’t heard the Good News.

...next section coming tomorrow...