Serious answers from Christians only PLEASE!!!!!?

Question

I usually have my quiet time and read the Word each night before I go to bed. But I feel bad because I feel like I should be having it in the mornings before I start my day. Or even both. Do you think it matters what time of day it is? Part of me thinks that it doesn't matter what time of day it is, as long as I'm setting some time aside for God each day. But then the other part of me thinks that I should be having my quiet time and reading the Word in the mornings, before I start my day. What do you think?

For those of you who are saying that I shouldn't set aside a specific time for Him, that I should talk to Him all day: I DO also pray throughout the day and talk to the Lord throughout the day. But my quiet time is special time that I have set aside just for Him, time for just me and Him to talk. No one else around, no other things going on that distract my thoughts. Just me and God.

Answer 1

As a single man, I tried changing my routine significantly, so that I would have 2 *extra* hours each morning before I went to work (i.e.: in addition to the time I already had).

I began my day with a brief prayer and followed that up with meditation while doing some basic warmup exercises (stretches, jumping jacks) and a morning run (started with 1/4 mile and advanced to 1.5 miles) followed by a brisk "cool-down" walk (about 1/4 - 1/2 mile).

All that took maybe 20 minutes, total. When I returned from my run, I showered and then put on a robe for comfort. By that time, I was quite alert and able to get a lot from my morning Bible study (typically almost 2 hours in length, though it was sometimes very short -- I probably averaged more than 90 minutes per morning).

Depending on what else was going on, I'd either address some other pressing matter or I'd skip ahead to a leisurely breakfast, which I cooked and ate at home. If guests arrived while I was preparing my meal, I offered to make extra for them.

By force of habit, I always pray over my food before eating. If I had guests, I enjoyed fellowship while dining, and shared regarding anything significant I'd gleaned from my study.

And then I went to work.

On days when work ended early, I ordinarily availed myself of the opportunity for further study. However, there were days when I was on the road, and the nature of the job didn't allow me the opportunity to do any of my morning routine or evening study.

On those days, I seldom managed to read more than a few verses, but I always found something worthy of meditation.

It's a great way to start your day, and it's a great way to end your day -- but don't do it begrudgingly or as a matter of "oh, now I have to do *this.*" Only do it if it's what *you want* to do: the quality of your spirit is much more important than any number of hours you might rack-up.

I would say that no matter what, you need each morning at least to put yourself in the frame of mind that you're going to be in when you start the day. Giving the day to God before it gets started makes dealing with bad circumstances and attitudes a lot easier -- and it doesn't take a lot of time to do.

And whether you're studying the Bible or not, I think you should always end each day by replaying it in your mind, examining your behaviors and reactions with a critical eye, and determining how you can be a better person (hence, a better example for Christ) the next day!

Sometimes, you'll find that you did the best that anyone could possibly have done under those circumstances. Paul describes this as the manifestation of God (the Holy Spirit) in (or, technically, "through") him. In such a case, I think it's worth giving God the kudos and asking for more.

Other times, you'll find that you could have better-handled a certain situation. Take your lumps and thank God for the lesson, and ask His help to get it right the next time. He really does seem to thrive on intervening for a positive outcome whenever we will let Him.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

You talk of setting aside time for God each day. If you think about that, doesn't it sound as if that is the only time you have allocated for God, and for the rest of the time God is forgotten? By all means have your quiet time - doesn't matter when - but try going through each mentally chatting with God now and then. God is listening to you all the time. Remember Tevye from "Fiddler on the Roof"? He spent a large amount of his day conversing with God, solving questions and problems with His help. Confront difficult situations with the question, "What would God do here?" Go well. God Bless you and keep you!

Answer 3

I set aside time in the morning and time in the evening. That way I am starting my day off with God, and ending it with Him as well. Why don't you try getting up a little earlier each day, what could it hurt? Perhaps it is the urging of God?

Answer 4

Don't be so hard on yourself. The main thing is that you have it at all. A lot of people don't. Some people are morning people and others are night people. My time is at night before I go to bed, too. I can't think straight in the mornings. If you can do it both, that's fine, but it's okay if you only do it at night. You can have quiet time anytime during the day as well.

Answer 5

Well if you have a demanding morning schedule, you could find ONE scripture at night to read the next morning, one that you want to meditate on all day, This way you will have thoughts from God on your mind, and after dwelling on it, the Spirit of God may bring you to new realizations.

Get a notebook, and journal the scripture, and at the end of the day, write how it helped you, or if you were lead to a new area to apply it.

Of course, it does not matter what time of day we pray, meditate or read, as long as we make the best effort to love God with our whole heart, and mind, and soul, and strength.

Answer 6

Listen it's religion and man that put a stipulation on the time you are to spend with God. He is happy you spend any time at all with Him. Keep on spending time with Him even if it's at the end of the day. I found that night time was when I had no interruptions and had a great time in the prayer closet. There was no hurry to go anywhere either. Look God isn't telling you not to right? Then why change it?

Answer 7

I think for me that a day should be started with a prayer to prepare yourself for everything and end the day still with a prayer to thank the Lord for everything. But don't just stop there. You can have a quiet time anytime of the day to talk to HIM whenever you want to. HE will surely appreciate that.

Answer 8

Pray and spend time in the presence of God anytime and anyplace you want. The important thing is you are doing it. Sometimes God wakes me up in the middle of the night and I feel His presence pressing me to pray for someone or to read His word and I do it right at that moment. God loves the time we spend with him, no matter what time it is. I can feel your love for the Lord..God bless you and keep seeking him!

Answer 9

I think you should have your quiet time when your the most alert. It doesn't help to do this when you are tired. Some people are better suited for mornings then at night, It really doesn't matter when you do it, just that you do. Their is nothing better then the peace that God gives us when we spend time with him each day. May God Bless You for your devotion.

Answer 10

i'll give yo ua serious answer but i'm not christian. both. God has blessed you with life and He should be though of throughout the day. i'm Muslim so i'm supposed to pray 5 times a day (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, evening). from what i understand, there's no set times when Christians are supposed to so i think as long as you do continue to set your time aside and show your appreciation, that is all that matters