It may have become something of a cliché, but a time away from the stresses and strains of life to seek God is best described as a quiet time. A quiet time is simply a meeting with God. We need quiet times because we need him. He is the one who makes sense of our life, not only in times of crisis, but also for the whole business of daily living.

There are all sorts of different ways in which people spend time with God. Some find it helpful to pray during a peaceful walk. Some like to do their bible study with a notepad and pen in hand. Some pray best in the evening, most of us better in the morning. The details don’t really matter so much. What is vital is that we do spend regular time with God – and the habits you develop as a student will return to bless you or to haunt you for the rest of your life.

Read the Bible, look at the prayers of the ‘heroes of the faith’ - Moses, David and Paul for example. Also look up Jesus’ principles for our personal prayer in Matthew 6:5-15.

Suggested Bible study resources:

• Explore notes
• Crossway Bible notes
• “God’s Big Picture” by Vaughan Roberts