If you’ve been in church at all, you’ve probably come across the idea of a “quiet time.”

It’s often seen as a critical part of daily Christian life—a time to read the Bible, pray, and connect with God before the day begins.

But for some of us, this concept became more than a guideline; it turned into a rule that weighed us down, often making us feel like failures if we missed it.

Today, I’m sharing why I chose to ditch the traditional idea of a quiet time and what I do instead.

My Quiet Time Became a Checklist

I shared a reel recently where I explained why I no longer keep a traditional quiet time. Growing up in the church, especially as a teenager, my quiet time felt like a checklist item: was I a good Christian or not?

The answer seemed to hinge on whether I had spent that 15 minutes with God each day. I held onto this for years, thinking that time in the morning somehow made me “right” with God, and if I missed it, I had failed.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized this perspective was rooted in a distorted view of God’s grace.

Why I Ditched Quiet Times

The Weight of Legalism

At the heart of the “quiet time” approach for me was a legalistic mindset. While I knew the gospel intellectually—salvation by grace through faith alone—my actions said otherwise.

I thought that having a daily quiet time would keep me in good standing with God.

But the reality is that mindset is heavy, and it’s not the gospel.

We are already in good standing with God because of Jesus’ finished work, not because of our own “quiet time” track record.

Shifting Focus

I realized I needed a different approach. Instead of forcing a rigid schedule, I began to prioritize reorienting my heart and mind towards God throughout my day.

Quiet time isn’t bad; it just needs to be put into perspective. It’s not about a specific 15 or 30-minute session that “checks the box” but about integrating prayer, scripture, and worship into our lives consistently and meaningfully.

Whether it’s listening to worship music, sharing scripture with my family, or discussing what God is teaching me, my goal is a continuous relationship, not a ritual.

The Joy of Being in His Presence

Spending time with God is about more than a task; it’s about joy and fulfillment in His presence. The Bible tells us that joy comes from being with Him.

Our purpose isn’t just to follow rules but to experience the refreshment, peace, and strength only He can give. While it took years to build my current routine of morning Bible reading and prayer, the joy is in His presence throughout the day, even in the small moments.

In Conclusion

If you’re feeling trapped by the idea of a quiet time or discouraged by trying to do it “right,” I hope you find freedom in this: God isn’t bound to our routines. The goal is to foster a relationship with Him that goes beyond a specific 15 minutes in the morning.

Want to Hear More?

I dive deeper into this topic in my latest podcast episode on Walking in Exile and on my YouTube channel. Make sure to listen where we unpack what it really looks like to cultivate a life with God that’s built on grace, not legalism.

Be sure to check it out if you’re ready to release the pressure of traditional quiet times.

If you haven’t yet, make sure to grab my FREE 5-Step Guide to help get you started reading your Bible today!