Joe Thorn has been doing a helpful ongoing series on the importance of "quiet times" (or private worship). Here are the posts thus far:
1. Not a Cleansing Rite
2. Defined
3. My Failure
4. What is it Good For?
And here is Joe's aim: "In these posts I want to flush the cleansing rite mentality while laying out what a quiet time really is, why it is important, how it fits into a Christian’s life and then give practical suggestions for beginning and maintaining this very important set of morning disciplines."