Quiet Time
A personal, daily time set aside for reading the Bible and praying — usually in the morning, usually alone.
What they actually mean
“"My daily Bible-and-prayer routine."”
Heard in the wild
“I try to have my quiet time before the kids wake up.”
“What are you reading in your devos right now?”
The Lighter Side
Fifteen minutes with a Bible, a journal, and a coffee, at least three of which are spent looking for the bookmark.
The longer version
What it means
A quiet time is a daily appointment with God: a stretch of fifteen minutes to an hour when a Christian reads a passage of the Bible, thinks about it, prays, and often writes in a journal. Many use a printed or app-based "devotional" — a short reading for each day — as a guide. The word "quiet" is literal: the point is to be alone and undistracted, which is why so many people do it early in the morning before anyone else is up.
Why people say it
The practice comes from the belief that faith is a relationship, and relationships need regular time. A quiet time is how many Christians "spend time with God" the way they'd spend time with a friend. It's also where a lot of personal spiritual life actually happens — the verse that got someone through a hard week usually came from their quiet time, not from Sunday.
How to respond
If someone mentions their quiet time, they're telling you about a personal habit, not inviting you to have one. "What do you read?" is a friendly follow-up if you're curious. If they say they've been bad about it lately, that's a small confession of guilt, and "you're busy, give yourself a break" is a kind reply.
If you hear it in different churches
The term is evangelical. Catholics and Orthodox have the same practice under different names — daily prayer, lectio divina (slow, meditative Bible reading), the Liturgy of the Hours, or simply "my prayers." Anglicans and Lutherans may say "morning prayer" or "daily office." The habit is universal; the vocabulary isn't.
Where does “Quiet Time” come from?
The Bible describes the pattern without naming it: Jesus rising "very early in the morning, while it was still dark" to pray alone (Mark 1:35), and the psalmist praying "in the morning" (Psalm 5:3). The modern term grew out of the student Christian movements of the 1880s, when the "Morning Watch" — a pledge to spend the first part of every day in Bible reading and prayer — spread through British and American universities. "Quiet time" became the standard name in evangelical circles through the mid-twentieth century, helped along by InterVarsity, the Navigators, and a wave of daily devotional books.
Good to know
Christians often feel guilty about their quiet time — missing it, rushing it, not "getting anything out of it." If someone confesses this to you, they're not looking for a solution; a sympathetic nod is enough. "Devotional" (noun) also means a short daily reading book designed for this.
You might also hear
Scripture
Bible & TheologyThe Bible — the collection of books Christians hold to be inspired by God and authoritative for faith and life. "Scripture" is the reverent word for it.
“"The Bible, said the way that makes you sit up straighter."”
The Word
Bible & TheologyThe Bible — or, in John chapter 1, Jesus Himself. Context tells you which; most of the time in conversation it's the Bible.
“"The Bible. (Or Jesus, if we're reading John 1.)"”
Daily Office
Prayer & DevotionSet prayers — psalms, scripture readings, and prayers — said at fixed times through the day, in a pattern the church has kept for over 1,500 years.
“"Praying on a schedule, with a script, several times a day."”
Life Verse
Bible & TheologyA Bible verse a person has adopted as personally meaningful — a motto, a promise, or a summary of their faith — often for years, and often printed on something.
“"The Bible verse someone has claimed as their own. It's on a mug."”
Common questions
How long is a quiet time supposed to be?+
There's no rule. Fifteen to thirty minutes is typical. Christians who say they do an hour are either retired or exaggerating slightly.
What's a devotional?+
A book or app with a short reading for each day — usually a Bible verse, a paragraph of reflection, and a prayer. Popular ones include Oswald Chambers's *My Utmost for His Highest* and the YouVersion app plans.
Do I need to do this if I'm just exploring Christianity?+
No, but if you're curious, reading one of the Gospels — Mark is the shortest — a few paragraphs a day is exactly what a quiet time is.
Further reading
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Written by Rev. Christopher D.F. Warrington, Ordained Minister, M.Div. · Updated September 2026
This entry was compiled with AI assistance and has not yet been reviewed by an ordained pastor.