I don’t have time is one of the most common reasons why people don’t spend time with God. What if I told you I have ten different ways you can spend time with God any day of the week, not just on a Sunday? But first, let’s start with a personal story.
One evening, as I was cooking dinner, I turned on some worship music to listen to. To be honest, it kind of felt like I was having a little date night with Jesus lol. I would sing as I was cooking, and with every song, I was reminded of the goodness, love, and mercy of God. It brought joy to my heart to sing about His faithfulness because I have experienced it time and time again. I didn’t let a mundane everyday task take away from time spent with Jesus; I did it with Him.
We tend to forget that we can incorporate God into our everyday lives. Sometimes you may need to get a little creative, since our schedules may be different.
Here are 10 ways that you can spend time with God during the week.
Prayer
”While Jesus was here on earth, He offered up prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the One who could rescue Him from death. And God heard His prayers because of His deep reverence for God.” – Hebrews 5:7 NLT
Prayer is simply communicating with God. Some people pray for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Some pray for 30, 60, or maybe longer. In prayer, you can and need to express Thanksgiving, offering gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done for you. In prayer, you bring your concerns and worries to God, trusting that He will care for you. While communicating with God, you can ask Him for guidance in your situation, protection for your family, or assistance with something He has called you to do. In prayer, you confess your sins and receive His grace.
And there will be times when you will just sit with Him while the Holy Spirit intercedes with groanings when you don’t know what to say or can’t release anything but tears. When you are ready to pray, God will meet you right where you are physically, mentally, and spiritually. This is a daily spiritual discipline. Prayer is simply acknowledging our need for Him. See below for a few ways to pray.
- The Model Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13)
- Praying through Scripture
- Intercessory Prayer (Interceding on someone else’s behalf)
- Simply talk to Him like He is your friend because He is.
Reading the Bible
”But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV
Reading the word of God is equally important as prayer. This is another spiritual discipline that you need to practice daily to build your spiritual muscles. As in any relationship, you need to spend time with that person to get to know them on a deeper level. As a person has many layers to themselves, so it is with the nature of God. The more you read Scripture, the more you will learn Him on a deeper level as Father, Provider, Lord of all lords, King of all kings, Savior, and Friend. You will learn about the person of Jesus from a baby until the time He left and ascended to heaven.
When you read the Bible, pray before and ask God to speak to you through His word. He will meet you at that moment. Make sure you are taking the time to read rather than rushing through. If you rush through or only read out of obligation, you may miss what God wants to say to you. Remember that God delights in those who diligently seek Him. So each day, have a desire or discipline to seek God in His word and hear from Him. That will be your daily bread. See below for a few bible reading tips and tools.
- Pray, read, meditate, and apply.
- Start a Bible plan
- Download the YouVersion Bible App here. Each day comes with a verse of the day, a devotional, a prayer, and a prayer guide.
- Read as a family. Maybe after dinner or during the day on weekends. Whatever time works best for your household.
- Invite a friend to read with you.
- Use a journal and write down anything that God is telling you and any questions you may have.
The word of God will also help you to speak God’s promises over your life. Read how to do that here.
Serving
”Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28 NIV
Jesus left us with a great example to follow. Serve with a humble heart. Serve with a heart of Christ. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. So when we follow Him, serving someone may look like sacrificing our time after work to take a neighbor to the store. It may look like cooking a meal for someone. And it may look like just being a listening ear to those who need to be heard or taking the time to pray for a loved one, friend, or even a stranger. When we seek God for an opportunity to serve, the door will be open to many chances. Just pause, look, and serve.
We can’t always preach Jesus without showing others who Jesus is. And we can’t show them who Jesus is without serving with Him.
Earlier today, as I am writing this, a neighbor saw my need when he made it home from work. He could have ignored my need to get the heavy snow and ice off my car and gone into the house to get warmed up and get some food. But instead, he willingly chose to help me in the cold over his comfort. That is what Jesus would do.
So here are just a few examples of how you can serve. The opportunities are endless, and you can’t be everywhere for everyone. That is why you pray and ask God to send out workers: the harvest is great, but the workers are few. One of those workers will be you, and He will also use others who are willing to serve.
- Serving in church (Volunteer on a team, lead a small group, help in children’s ministry, or be a fill-in)
- Serving in your community (feed/provide for those in need, donate to a foodbank, pick up trash, etc.)
- Serving in your neighborhood (give a ride, cook a meal, give a lending hand, call or text for a check-in)
- Serving relationally (visiting someone in the hospital, offering encouragement, mentoring, babysitting, etc.)
In Everyday Activities
”And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17 NIV
This one is for the mamas or anyone who feels unworthy or guilty for not “doing enough for God” because they are constantly at home and/or work trying to take care of their family. This is for the one who feels like they have to do something grand to spend time with God. This is for those who think that you can only spend time with God in a corporate church setting; any other time doesn’t matter.
But God is omnipresent. His Spirit isn’t exclusive to only local church buildings. The body of Christ is the Church, and wherever we are, there His Spirit also. So let’s look at a few ways we can spend time with God in our daily activities.
- Cooking: When cooking, listen to worship music instead of the news, TV shows, or movies. While those things are not bad, you will feel God’s presence more when listening to and singing along with worship music, and you will start enjoying cooking rather than seeing it as a duty.
- Cleaning: Keeping up your home well is actually an honor to God. We need to manage well what He has given us, including our homes. Change your attitude from complaining to gratitude. Start thanking Him for your home, food, and clothing. Welcome Him into your space and let Him teach you how to manage your home.
- Movie or Game Night: There are plenty of Christian movies and shows to watch alone or as a family. My favorite faith-based show is The Chosen. Games usually bring laughter. And laughter is good medicine for the soul (see Proverbs 17:22). Laughter is good medicine for your family, and God wants to enjoy it with you.
- Self-Care: Pray or listen to worship music in the shower. Listen to the Bible while getting dressed for work or running errands. Find a good Christian workout playlist and work out with God.
- In your daily commute, quiet the music and talk to God. While buying groceries, ask Him about what kinds of food you should get or recipes you should cook for your family.
By the way, marriage is your first ministry. Parenting is your other ministry. When you take care of them, when you reflect the Gospel in your household and marriage, God loves that and will honor that.
Utilizing Your Spiritual Gift
‘”I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John:15:5 NIV
Any gift the Holy Spirit has given you, my best encouragement to you is to do it with Him. If it is writing, write with Him. If it is serving, serve with Him. If it is teaching, then teach what God has taught you during your time together in Bible reading. If it is speaking, be His mouthpiece. Whatever it is, do it well by doing it with Him. You will love those moments you two will spend together for the sake of the Great Commission.
We have these spiritual gifts, not for show or to hoard, but rather for pouring into other people and building up the church, glorifying God, helping fellow believers, and making Jesus known to a lost world.
Journaling
” Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered.” – Exodus 17:14a. NIV
I am an avid journaler. In one particular journal, I write prayers that correlate with each entry. I write specific things that’re on my heart, things I desire, and things that are constantly on my mind. And each time, God meets me there. In those pages, He meets me. In those prayers, He meets me. And to remind me that He hasn’t forgotten what was on my heart and how He has come through for me, even when I forget, He takes me back to that journal and meets me there. Journaling not only helps you clear your mind, but also helps you to pour out what is on your mind and heart. Just know that if you incorporate God in this, He will meet you there also.
If you want to start journaling or want different kinds of journals, see below for recommendations.
- Gratitude journal
- Prayer Request journal
- Daily journal
- Memory Keeper/Reflection journal
- Bible journal
Nature
”Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed.” – Genesis 2:8 NIV
Nature is a place where I have felt God’s presence many times. Maybe it’s the wind on my shoulders, or the sight of birds and squirrels, or maybe it’s because I look around and see the creation of God. When I am in the park, two things bring my heart joy: Seeing kids laugh and play, and watching the ducks.
There are several benefits of being in nature. Boosting the immune system, supporting mental health, and reducing stress are among the benefits, according to a UCLA Health article. Most importantly, nature will help you stay in the present moment, give you peace of mind, and help you to hear the voice of God clearly. Some tips on how you can incorporate God in this time are listed below.
- Prayer Walks: Use this time to talk to God, for at least half of the walk.
- Observation: Take time to slow down and observe what is around you. What you observe will definitely point you back to God.
- Take a hike: Keep the music off, listen to silence, and thank God for His beautiful creation.
- Listen to a faith-based podcast.
Gratitude
”Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1 NIV
You spend time with God in gratitude by shifting your focus from all that you don’t have and start thanking Him for all that you do have. It is not always about material things, but God has blessed us tremendously in ways we couldn’t imagine. The greatest thing is sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and giving us His Spirit to dwell in us, teaching, leading, and guiding us daily. See below for different ways to show gratitude.
- As you read the Bible, start pointing out things that you can thank Him for.
- As you listen to worship music, listen to the actual lyrics and start singing to Him.
- As you wake up in the morning, write down or say aloud five things you are grateful for.
- Before your family eats dinner, have each one say what they are thankful for that day.
- Thank Him even when things are hard, trusting that all things are working out for your good.
Community
”Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT.
Since the beginning, God has always been about community. Having someone there to help you, and you help them. There will always be a time when He wants us to be in solitude, maybe for prayer, fasting, or just to spend some much-needed alone time with Him. But we are also called to be in community with like-minded believers to encourage one another, learn and grow together, pray for one another, and support each other in our own personal endeavors or assignments.
We are stronger together, and we draw our strength from God. Although you can experience His presence alone, you can also experience His presence alongside other believers. See below for a few ways to spend time with God in community.
- Join or start a small group, aka a lifegroup.
- Join a Bible Study or faith-based book club.
- Have regular hangouts and check-ins with each other.
- Share your struggles and share how God helped you or is currently helping you.
- Worship and/or serve together.
- Pray for one another and carry each other’s burdens.
Rest
”Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10 NIV
In the middle of this chaotic and noisy world, in the middle of this hustle and bustle, everyday striving life, the best thing you can do is simply Be Still. How do we truly be still? If our bodies are sitting, but our minds are working overtime, that is not being still.
In Psalm 91:1-2 it states: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ”He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
The Hebrew meaning of the word dwell is to sit, settle, stay, and remain.
As we sit and remain in His presence, we will experience a love that’s unconditional (Ro. 8:38-39), we will receive an unexpressible joy (1 Peter 1:8), peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), and patience that build’s perseverance (Ro. 5:3). As we dwell in Him, He will show us His merciful kindness (Psalm 117:2), His goodness that will follow us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6) and His faithfullness that endures through all generations. (Psalm 119:90)As we continue dwelling in His presence, we will cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit. And as we submit and surrender daily, our self-control will continue to grow.
Monique ST,
I hope this was encouraging and helpful for your walk with the Lord. Feel free to share your own ways of spending time with God.
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