(Is. 57:15, NIV)
I was talking to one of my mentees the other day about quiet times with Jesus. She expressed a difficulty she’s been having in getting regular with them. We were able to talk through some of the issues in a way very helpful to her.
I believe that her struggles are common ones for believers who know they need a more regular prayer life but have difficulty establishing one. For this reason, I want to share here the truths that we discussed, for those that may also be helped:
- Quiet times with Jesus are not less valuable on days that you don’t have the “feels.” In fact, on days like that, He treasures your efforts to be with Him in an extra special way. In heaven, we will automatically worship Him. His presence will be so manifest, so glorious, that our overwhelmed response of adoration will be spontaneous. We won’t even be able to help ourselves. Here on the earth, however, prayer and worship are a choice that costs us something. Our Father treasures our choice to be with Him, especially when it is costly.
There will be plenty of days that we aren’t “feeling it,” and we make the effort to be with Him anyway. Those days mean far more to Him than you even begin to realize. You see, He 100% gets the sacrifice that represents. When you keep at it, you are showing Him that you are not in the relationship just for what He can do for you… but because He is your Lord and God and you genuinely want to give Him everything.
- You don’t need to be sensing a noticeable connection with God, to reach out to Him. I shared with my mentee, “He also doesn’t expect your focus to be amazing. All He wants is for you to point your heart in His direction. And move towards Him as much as you are able. If in any given twenty minutes that means redirecting your focus back to Him a million times and feeling like you didn’t get much out of it, that is HUGELY valuable. HUGELY.”
- If you are wrestling with “why” questions, run to God instead of away from Him. My mentee admitted that she was having some trust issues with Him because of things that she has been through. I suggested, “Tell Him so (respectfully). And just press in, in spite of those difficulties. He can handle your questions. He is not offended or put off by them. He welcomes them. Deep trust in God is something we gradually develop over a lifetime. It is not a prerequisite to spending time with Him.”
I concluded with these thoughts: “You will see it pay off. He will greatly bless every area of your life as you seek Him first. In your heart and mind, decide that this is even more important than how work fits into your day. Jesus is going to come to your level. He will meet you exactly where you are at.”
Boy does He. I am so glad He does, every single time!
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What are some hangups that Jesus has helped you overcome, in spending time with Him? Any words of wisdom for strugglers that would like to develop this as a daily activity?
Feeding On Jesus 
God doesn’t ever take the day off. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, but He doesn’t do the same things every day. On the first day, God created light and on the seventh He rested. He wasn’t busy making light out of darkness on Sunday, nor was He goofing off on Saturday when He rested. Just as you told your friend, the same is true for our prayer life. We (or at least I) don’t get a spectacular sense of His presence or a miraculous answer every morning. But no matter what, “This is the day that the Lord has made!”
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Yes and amen! I have yet to meet anyone who has a spectacular sense of His presence every single morning. I guess that must be part of learning to live by faith and not by sight or what we feel. And I am convinced that on those days when we don’t have the “feels,” and we choose to declare that beautiful truth, this is the day that He has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it, that it has immeasurable value, both to the heart of God, and in our own growth! Thank you so much Pastor Pete for taking the time to share these vital thoughts. Rich blessings to you today!
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Such simple and good points you share with her. It is good that she is talking to you about it. We all have days when our quiet time is a choice as we know it is right and pleasing to God.
If we allow our feelings alone to dictate our quiet time then we will never be consistent.
And as you said Jennifer, we do not always have an amazing sense of his presence in every quiet time but if we do not sit in those times we will miss the moments when the mundane turns into spectacular.
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“When the mundane turns into spectacular.” That made me smile real big with joy. Oh how worth it, all the other moments are, to get to moments like those! Thank you so much, Manu. Much love to you!
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Sis, I tend to pray here and there throughout the day; when I was still teaching, I would sometimes pray (with my eyes open!) while my students were taking a test. My more-extended times of prayer tend to be corporate, like at our church prayer meetings. At the same time, I have a great deal of respect for those who have more-extended times of prayer just between them and the Lord.
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I know our Father cherishes every moment with you, in any and every shape it takes. Love that about praying as your students took their test! May He draw us all ever deeper into His heart, in all the forms prayer can take :). Thank you so much for sharing my brother!
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You got it, sis!
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🙂 🙂
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