How to take a Daily Time Out (i.e.,How to have a Quiet Time with God--HEAR and PRAY)
1. Pray Acts 16:14, "Open my heart so I will respond to your word."
2. Read 1 chapter of the Old Testament per day, Monday through Friday, from Jan 1st-December 31st (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE READING PLAN.)
3. Write in your HEAR Journal—Write the letters H-E-A-R on the left side of your document
and write a title at the top of your HEAR Journal entry so you can remember it later. As you
read the chapter each day, write what you discover.
H (Highlight) a verse that speaks to you by writing it down in your notebook
E (Explain) what you observed or learn from the verse, consider doing the following:
a. Paraphrase It! Rewrite the verse in your own words.
b. Picture It! Visualize the scene in your mind.
c. Pronounce It! Say the verse aloud, each time emphasizing a different word.
d. Personalize It! Replace the pronouns or people in the verse with your own name.
e. Pray It! turn the verse into a prayer and say it back to God.
A (Apply) Personalize what you have read. Write down how you can apply what the verse you selected says to your life right now.
To identify an application, it might be helpful to ask is there?: A Sin to confess, a Promise to keep, an Attitude to change, a Command to keep,
and Example to follow, a Prayer to pray, an Error to avoid, a Truth to believe, something to Thank God for?
R(Respond) write down a prayer or an action that you will take as a result of the verse you selected.
4. PRAY
a. P—Praise God for all He has done for you.
b. R—Repent—confess any known sins, ask God to help you to master your thoughts and
actions.
c. A—Ask God for the things you need and want.
d. Y— Yield your will to God’s in your situation and ask that His Kingdom come and that His
will be done in your life, today in everything, as you plan your day—what you have to
do, where you have to go, etc.
5.Memorize the verse of the week (see the reading plan)
Sample HEAR Journal Entry*
Date: 11-30-13
Read: Philippians 4:10-13
Title: Secret of Contentment
H (Highlight) “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
E (Explain) Paul was telling the church at Philippi that he has discovered the secret of contentment.
No matter the situation in Paul’s life, he realized that Christ was all he needed, and Christ was the
one who strengthened him to persevere through difficult times.
A (Apply) In my life, I will experience many ups and downs. My contentment is not found in
circumstances. Rather, it is based on my relationship with Jesus Christ. Only Jesus gives me the
strength I need to be content in every circumstance of life.
R (Respond) Lord Jesus, please help me as I strive to be content in You. Through Your strength, I
can make it through any situation I must face.
*Adapted from https://replicate.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Growing-Up-Appendices-
dragged.pdf
