The best-known Bible verses about time are Ecclesiastes 3:1 ("To every thing there is a season"), Psalm 90:12 ("So teach us to number our days"), Ephesians 5:15–16 ("Redeeming the time, because the days are evil") and Psalm 31:15 ("My times are in thy hand").
Scripture sees time as a gift held in God's hand, short enough that it's worth spending carefully. That makes these verses sharp reading next to a weekly screen-time report. All quotations are from the King James Version, which is in the public domain.
Time belongs to God
"My times are in thy hand." Psalm 31:15
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Life is short
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12
"LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." Psalm 39:4
"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14
Numbering your days isn't meant to be morbid. Knowing your time is limited is what makes you choose well.
Redeeming the time
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15–16
"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." Colossians 4:5
To redeem something is to buy it back. Paul pictures time as something that can be lost to the age we live in unless we deliberately buy it back for good. Few things today take more of our time than our phones.
Time with God first
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Psalm 1:2
"Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Mark 6:31
Jesus made time to be alone with the Father even when crowds were waiting. He also told his tired disciples to rest.
Time and diligence
"How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?" Proverbs 6:9
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." Colossians 3:23
What does "redeeming the time" mean?
In Ephesians 5:16 and Colossians 4:5, "redeeming the time" translates a Greek phrase meaning to buy up the opportunity. Paul is telling believers to make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil and time spent foolishly doesn't come back.
How much time do we spend on our phones?
It's easy to find out. On iPhone, open Settings → Screen Time. On Android, open Settings → Digital Wellbeing. Many people are surprised to find several hours a day. Psalm 90:12 asks us to number our days, and a screen-time report is one honest way to start.
How can I redeem the time I spend on my phone?
Start with the first minutes of the day, which shape the rest. Give them to God before the feed. Prayer Latch locks the apps you choose at your wake-up time until you pray, and you can add more lock times, like after work or before bed. See also how to spend less time on your phone.
Pray before you scroll
Prayer Latch locks your chosen apps each morning until you pray. Your first 7 days are free, no card needed.
Updated October 22, 2026 by the Prayer Latch team at Janus Works LLC.