Time Alone With GodSample

Devotional Guidelines

If you are married or dating, it's a good idea for each of you to have your own private time alone with God. On other days, you can read, pray or meditate on the Word with your spouse or family, but this is a personal time.

Confess your sin and ask for the mercy of God often. God expects you to change your way of thinking about sin, your tears are not repentance. Your change of behavior is. Confess and change.

Keep your journal and Bible with you at all times. Make the most out of your unexpected free time, like when you are in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or before a meeting begins, or during a break between two activities—you can get productive with your reading plans.

Develop your devotional style around your own routine, disposition and personality. The time alone with God is not a straitjacket. It is a guide for you to learn to enjoy God.

Distractions will interrupt Bible reading and prayer times. Consistency is crucial to successfully walking with God for a lifetime. This is the reason why you should consider the time of the day and find a place where you won’t be interrupted. Choose the place as your divine haven. It should be a place of peace and quiet to start your time with Christ. 

Be accountable to someone. This person will be of encouragement to you when you fail to read the Bible or pray. Consider your teacher, your pastor, or spiritual mentor for this—someone you trust in your church, a mature person in the faith and not a recent convert.

Share with others where you are reading and things you are praying through. This creates an atmosphere of courage, consistency and discipline. Let people know how God is working in the different areas of your life.

If someone comes to mind during your quite time, pray for them, contact them or maybe add them to your prayer list.

Avoid laziness and legalism. Laziness is failure to assume personal responsibility. Legalism is striving to achieve godliness in the flesh. Spiritual discipline is the path to stay away from these two obstacles.