How to Have a Quiet Time and Hear From God
FORMAT: 30min
Start with worship song in quiet – 5 min
Bible Reading and Journaling – 20min
Prayer – 5 min
PREPARATION
It is very difficult to calm your mind.
Find a quiet space.
Choose a regular time
Turn your phone onto silent mode.
Keep a pen and paper handy: If something pops into your mind like a task, write it down.
WORSHIP AND MEDITATION
Start with a song of worship or 5 minutes of quieting your mind.
BIBLE READING: SOAP
Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer
1] Scripture – Start with the Word
Key points:
Choose a devotional or reading plan for consistency.
Read a passage (a section or chapter), not just a single verse, to keep context.
Be prayerful as you start: “Lord, speak to me through Your Word today.”
Practical tips:
Recommended starting places for beginners: Gospel of John, Genesis, Philippians.
Avoid “Bible roulette” (randomly opening a page).
Highlight or underline verses or words that stand out that stand out.
2] Observation – See what’s really there
Key points:
Ask questions:
What is happening? (plot, setting, characters)
Who is involved?
What is the main message?
Any repeated words, contrasts, or promises?
Look for God’s attributes: What does this tell me about Him?
Illustration:
Like a detective at a crime scene, you don’t just glance—you observe the details.
E.g. Psalm 23 observations:
The Lord leads, guides, restores, comforts.
Imagery of shepherding.
David’s confidence in God’s presence even in danger.
3] Application – Make it personal
Key points:
Ask:
What is this text saying to me?
What do I feel God saying to me? (Put another way: If God would want to say anything to me, what do I think He would be saying from this text?)
Is there something I need to do?
Does this correct a false belief or wrong attitude?
Is there a promise to claim or a warning to heed?
Move from information to transformation.
E.g. Psalm 23:
God is my shepherd; I can trust Him with my needs.
Action step: Give Him control over my anxious thoughts today.
4] Prayer – Talk to God about it
Key points:
Thank Him for what you’ve learned.
Confess any sin or unbelief revealed.
Ask for help to live it out.
Pray Scripture back to God.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPEAKING TO ME?
Has anything jumped out at you?
Pause on the things that has jumped out. (Don’t even read much further if you feel the HS is stirring you)
Meditate on what you think the HS is saying.
Write it down.
Ask: Is this just me being emotional or is it something more?
Come back to it.
Don’t look for the WOW moments, look for the small, simple moments.
PRAYER TIME:
Give thanks
Personal Prayer
Heart – feelings
Head – Thoughts
Hands – Work
Intercession Prayer
People and situations
Family, prayer needs, my own needs, unsaved, church, leaders
Be quiet
Often we want to do all the talking, but most of our prayer time should be listening – trying to discern the presence and voice of God.
The Key is Consistency!!!!!
PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION:
Scripture – Matthew 8:5-13 (NIV)
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralysed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
Observation – What is the Bible Saying
Centurion – Roman officer, one with authority
Suffering – personal challenges in our lives
Say the Word – Extreme faith, didn’t need Jesus to show up, just to speak
Under authority – Understood the authority of Jesus
Amazed – Faith gets Jesus attention.
Such Great faith –
Just as you believed – right believing = God working.
Healed – Jesus is the answer to all my challenges
Main Idea: God’s authority, my faith!
Application
My faith is based on what I believe concerning the authority of Jesus.
Do I truly believe He can do what He says?
Faith is also coming under His authority and not coming under my own desires – do I submit to his word and his will?
What do I feel God is saying to me?