How to Make Time for God

As you reflect on how you spend your time, you may find that God isn't a very high priority in your life, in spite of your best intentions. An apparent lack of time may be one of the major hindrances you will need to overcome in order to spend time with God on a regular basis.

Here are some suggestions for you if you feel you just don't have time to spend with God every day.

Do a time inventory. According to the American Time Use Survey, the average American spends approximately five hours per day in leisure activities such as exercise and watching TV. Keeping a time log for one week will help you to see exactly how your time is spent, and may help you realize how much time you waste.

Once the time inventory has been done, look at your time use objectively. The idea is not to eliminate all leisure activities; we all need a break. The point is to see excesses in less profitable activities such as watching TV or playing games online. Can you watch one less TV program each day and have a quiet time instead? If you're having a hard time seeing what you can eliminate from your life in order to make time for God, have a friend or mentor help you look over your time inventory and make suggestions.

In addition to the big blocks of time that may be freed up as a result of the time inventory, the following ideas may help you to saturate your mind with the things of God throughout the day.

a. Listen to the Bible while doing mindless activities. I have a friend who listens to the Bible while she sleeps. This has made a big difference in her thought life, without taking additional time out of her day. The Bible can also be listened to while driving, doing housework, exercising, cooking, etc.

b. Meditate on verses from the day's quiet time while drifting off to sleep. Bedtime is also a good time to pray about concerns, and thank and praise God.

c. Take advantage of electronic reminders. Every half hour, Outlook reminds me to review my memory verses. This only takes me a minute each time and yet keeps my mind focused on the Word throughout my work day.

d. Take a prayer walk. This can be as simple as being prayerful while taking the dog for a walk, or going out to get the mail. The activity itself can become a reminder to pray.

e. Choose prayer prompts. For instance, pray for your pastor every time you drive past a church, pray for people with financial needs every time you drive past a grocery store, etc.

I can guarantee you that this year will be your best year yet if you choose to make time for God every day. You won't regret it!