Should I Have a Daily Quiet Time?

f there is one habit I wish I had discovered as a young mother, it would be the value of a daily quiet time for my preschool children. Now that my grandchildren have outgrown their naps, my daughters intentionally build a midday pause into their days. During this time, the children spend time in their rooms engaged in quiet, independent activities. This simple practice offers benefits for everyone. It nurtures creativity, encourages independent play, and teaches children how to be content on their own. At the same time, it gives mothers a much-needed opportunity to catch up on household tasks—or, perhaps even better, enjoy a few moments of rest and refreshment before the day continues.

However, when I hear the phrase “quiet time,” it incites a completely different picture in my mind. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I always heard this term used to describe a daily routine of meeting with God through Bible reading and prayer.. Although I admit that I often struggled in years gone by to be consistent, my morning routine now usually consists of my Bible, a Christian book, a good cup of coffee (always made by my husband), and a quiet spot in my home.

Recently, a well-known speaker and author spoke out against the “quiet time” culture, as she phrased it. She rejected the idea of a brief, daily habit of personal devotions, arguing that it encouraged instant gratification, solitude over community, and crushing guilt for those in busy seasons of life. Instead, she advocated for longer, less frequent study blocks to foster Biblical literacy, often within the context of community.

So is it really either/or? I would suggest it’s both.

As a women’s ministry leader who has led many Bible studies for over a decade, I’m a strong advocate of studying the scriptures in depth with other believers. It’s vital to spiritual growth because it promotes biblical literacy, sound theology, and personal accountability. When we study a book of the Bible from beginning to end and in its broader context, we make room for better understanding, helpful discussion, and relevant application

Yet as someone who has fought to make a “quiet time” part of my daily routine, those first moments of my morning remain a lifeline. They renew me, ground me, and draw me back to the One who orders my days.

The changing seasons of life mean that our time with the Lord will not always look the same. I’ve experienced the busy years of raising children and working full-time, when finding even a few quiet moments alone felt nearly impossible. In those seasons, my time with God often looked very different from what it does today. More often than not, our “quiet time” doesn’t resemble the picture-perfect images we see on Instagram. It requires creativity and always demands intentionality. We meet with God in the midst of real life—amid the demands, interruptions, and responsibilities that fill our days.

Even now, as an empty nester who treasures those early mornings in God’s Word, there are days when I still have to fight for that time. I can be just as tempted to hit the snooze button or start my day scrolling through my phone instead of opening my Bible. But what keeps me coming back is the difference it makes. When I begin my day with the Lord, my perspective changes. My heart is steadied, my mind is renewed, and my focus is redirected toward what matters most. Life’s circumstances may not change, but time spent in God’s presence consistently leaves me better equipped to face whatever the day holds and reminds me of who I am called to be.

John 15:4 says, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 

So buy the Bible study book. Join the group at church. Spend some time every week digging deep into scripture with the goal of life transformation.

But whatever the season of life, don’t neglect the habit of abiding in Christ. Whether it’s early in the morning, on a lunch break, sporadically throughout the day, or after the little ones are tucked into bed, carve out those daily moments to meet with God. (Here’s a great article for some practical suggestions.)

If I’ve learned anything throughout the years, it’s this. The seasons may change, but my need for Jesus never does. In every season, His Word remains the lamp and light that points me to the cross.

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day . . . Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:97,105