When did Quiet Time become such an overlooked part of our spiritual lives? I appreciated the end of chapter summaries and reflection questions to help put into practice what I was reading. The book is very applicable and would be good for people in all stages of life. I liked that the chapters went beyond the typical themes of “quiet time” (hiddenness, justice, etc….). Great book!

Be Still by Brian Heasley. I found this book to be inspirational when thinking about being in constant prayer. Each of the 14 chapters address a different theme in relation to your life and prayer. I also loved that at the end of each chapter is a little summary so that way you can review and make sure you understood the big takeaways from that section.
This book overall is practical, easy to read and encouraging! I would definitely recommend going through it.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available August 22nd!

This book was refreshing to read. Personal quiet times are sometimes hard to do, especially when you don't know where to start. It is great to have a book that not only explains what a personal quiet time with the Lord is, but give helpful advice on to how to implement different ways to achieve that quiet time. It is written in an easy way to understand, and I enjoy the summary and practical applications at the end of each chapter.

This book reads like a "how-to" on growing your relationship with Christ. The personal stories that relate to each topic are interesting and sometimes humorous. A summary at the end of each chapter really helps with understanding what was gone over as well as listing multiple options for application.

I read this book quickly so that I could get it reviewed, but I do suggest really slowing down. Because each chapter will give different opportunities to apply something new to your life, I suggest making a habit before moving onto the next thing. I would suggest one chapter a week added to your other reading.

I highly recommend this book as it's one I would love to revisit myself.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review.

This book was so helpful. I love the insight.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

Brian Heasley provides helpful advice and guidance on how to have a “quiet time”—a time to commune with God on a daily basis. He describes several ways to creatively enhance and deepen this time for newer and “older” Christians who do not have a daily habit. I like that he encourages us into a sense of wonder through art and nature, and gratefulness, and gives outlines for what to pray, including current events, local and global needs.

I would describe this as a primer for quiet times. While the author describes other spiritual disciplines to augment our quiet time, he insists on [one-way] prayer and Bible reading to be a part of it. It neglects a few other considerations: 1) for millenia, people were not literate and yet were faithful especially during the time of Psalm 119’s “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet…” so we need to coach appropriate reliance on Bible reading in study sessions versus devotional time; 2) different personalities and learning styles adopt certain spiritual disciplines more readily than others (practical learners versus those who learn by reading, 1:1 learners versus group learners, active versus passive—such as some need to do quiet times walking rather than sitting in a chair); 3) finally, prayer is communing with God and should be a dialogue. More mature followers might be better advised to use mostly questions in their prayer time. New followers can as they learn to listen. Non-listening (to God?!) is when we talk all the time and that probably describes 99.9% of all prayers. Some of the questions to ask each day: What good work(s) have You created for me to do today (Eph. 2.10)? Of these calendar appointments, emails, known interactions with co-workers, customers and suppliers, which are the most important and what’s important for me to show Your love, joy, peace….in these interactions through words, actions? How might I see Your Word come alive today, such as blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the peacemakers….? While having a quiet place is helpful, sometimes walking through downtowns can be inspirational to pray for people, society and be reminded of the marginalized (the unhoused, the harassed at work, the demeaned, the less-prestigious workers), the lost, last and least. Even in the midst of downtown chaos, we can “be still” in our hearts and minds and hear the quiet voice of God. The main point of quiet time is to be still and HEAR His Voice, not just our own.