How Do We Draw Near To God?

Do you want a more intimate connection with God but feel like you’ve hit a wall in your attempts to find him? Social media, sports, and regular life all present tempting diversions. While they are all commendable pursuits, what ultimately matters is a heartfelt commitment to finding and spending time with the Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s normal to feel distant from God every once in a while. The gospel reveals how to develop a stronger relationship with our Lord God. To the extent that we approach God, he may make his promises a reality in our lives. Our lives will gradually experience God’s glory, peace, energy, hope, joy, and love.

What Does It Mean To Draw Near To God?

Aspiring to draw close to God implies that you desire a close connection with God. Jesus is the exclusive means of accessing the Father (John 14:6). He is the only way to get close to God. Jesus was sent by God as the mediator between God and humankind.

Accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior entails placing your confidence in him. We must have trust and realize that, through Jesus, we may become closer to God. Equally necessary under the new covenant is for those who draw near to God to have “clean hands and a true heart” (Psalm 24:4).

To draw near to God and experience his presence in our lives, we must first have a sincere desire to draw closer to him. It begins with a deliberate decision to prioritize our connection with him and make him the center of our lives. Cultivating a pure heart and seeking his forgiveness allows us to approach God with humility and authenticity.

How To Draw Near To God?

Therefore, brothers, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

— Hebrews 10:19–22

The overarching goal of the Apostle Paul[1] in penning these lines is for us to experience what the old Puritans called communion with God—that is, to draw near to God, to have fellowship with him, and to refuse to live a Christian life apart from him.

This drawing near to God isn’t a physical one. It’s not like trying to scale Mount Vesuvius with your accomplishments alone. This may or may not be en route to a church or making your way to a front-and-center altar. It’s a gesture performed entirely from the heart but that cannot be seen. It’s possible to achieve it while sitting in a church pew, resting in a hospital bed, or standing perfectly motionless.

To draw near to God doesn’t mean physically moving closer. It’s a way of leading one’s heart into God’s presence, which is both infinitely far away in the heavenly holy of holies and incredibly accessible through the threshold of faith. He’s ordering us to show up, talk to him, and get closer to him.

10 Powerful Ways To Draw Near To God

Drawing near to God involves creating a space for spiritual growth, both individually and within the community. Engaging in regular prayer and meditation opens our hearts to receive his guidance and grace, deepening our connection with him. Actively participating in a church family and gathering in a church building can provide a supportive environment for worship, fellowship, and learning, helping us draw closer to God together.

We can get close to God when we repent of our sins, open our hearts, and actively seek him. That’s a straightforward message, yet the question remains… Just how do we go about doing this? Here are 10 ways to draw near to God:

1. Trust In Christ Jesus As Your Mediator

1 Timothy 2:5–7 says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

It was because of our sins that we were unable to approach God. But God showed mercy. He took the first step and reached down to us by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer on the cross for our sins. Those who believe in Christ have a clean conscience and can grow spiritually close to God.

2. Access God Anywhere

Hebrews 10:19 and 22 say, “Therefore, brothers, since we have the confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance that faith brings, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Only on the Day of Atonement was the High Priest permitted to enter the Holy Place in the Old Testament temple. Sacred because it was the physical location of God’s most prominent presence on Earth. Having been redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice, we can approach God and experience his presence wherever we go, not just in the Holy of Holies in the Temple.

To draw closer to God, engaging with a church family can provide a supportive and nurturing environment. Through fellowship, worship, and shared experiences, we can strengthen our connection to God and find encouragement in the company of fellow believers. The church, as a holy place, offers a space for us to gather and experience God’s presence collectively.

3. Be Intentional In Taking Time To Seek God

James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

God is always with us, but only when we seek him do we become aware of his nearness. Among the most fruitful ways to pursue God and connect with Him is through reading God’s Word. There are several Bible applications to choose from if you don’t have access to an accurate Bible.

You can join Bible study groups or get together with friends to chat about God, sing praises to him, study the gospel, or do any other spiritual activity. Participating in Bible study groups allows us to delve deeper into God’s Word, gaining insights and wisdom that guide us on our spiritual journey.

It is through the study of Scripture that we encounter the pure water of God’s truth, refreshing and nourishing our souls. As we immerse ourselves in his Word, we grow in knowledge and understanding, drawing closer to him.

4. Confess Your Sins

In the New Testament, we are advised: “Let us then with confidence draw close to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrew 4:16).

Even though a person claims to be a Christian, they might still struggle with sin and pursue their path. The good news is that when we admit our sins to God and ask for forgiveness, he draws near and places us at his right hand. For mercy and forgiveness, we convene with our Heavenly Father.

5. Read The Bible

2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

The Holy Spirit moved mortal authors to pen every word in the Bible. Yet, God is ultimately responsible for its content. That indicates that every single verse in the Bible is inspired by God. God provided us with the Bible; by reading it and spending quiet time with him, we may grow closer to him.

6. Pray With A Sincere Heart

James 5:13 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”

There are various ways to draw near to God and experience his presence in our lives. One crucial aspect is approaching him with a true heart, free from pretense or hypocrisy. By honestly acknowledging our shortcomings and seeking his forgiveness, we can overcome a guilty conscience and open ourselves to his grace.

We can pray to God for help when we are going through a challenging period, such as when we are in pain. In times of success, singing praises to God is a beautiful way to express gratitude and praise. Praying is a means by which we can draw near to God.

Carving out time for personal prayer and meditation creates space for communion with God. In those moments of quiet reflection, we can intentionally seek his presence, pouring out our hearts and listening for his gentle voice.

It is in these intimate moments that we can experience a profound sense of closeness to the divine. As we draw near to God through prayer, we find solace, guidance, and the assurance that he hears and responds to our deepest needs.

7. Love God And His People

Mark 12:30–31 says, “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Intentional acts of love for God and others draw people near to God. The more we choose to love God and others, the deeper our connection with God becomes. By loving God and others, we better understand who God is, not because doing good actions makes God love us more.

8. Allow The Holy Spirit To Help You

John 14:16–17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

Jesus’ words now identify the Holy Spirit as God’s Helper. In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit made physical dwellings among his people; in the New Testament, however, Christians have the Holy Spirit within them. While Jesus was confined to one location on Earth at any moment, the Holy Spirit was not. Through the power of the Spirit, everyone can grow closer to God.

9. Spend Time With Fellow Christians

Acts 2:42 says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers.”

This biblical passage gives us a glimpse into the proceedings of the first Christian assemblies. In the presence of the Lord, they met together to hear the Word preached (the teaching of the apostles), share in the Lord’s Supper (the Holy Communion), and praise him through corporate prayer. To draw near to God, they engaged in all of these pursuits.

10. Seeking The One True God

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

— Psalm 145:15

Calling upon the genuine God is the way to draw near to Him. We are not free to create our own conception of God and actively pursue it. Knowing the one true God can be gained by regularly reading the Bible.

The Importance Of Drawing Nearer To God And Experience His Promise

Does God bless us with fulfilling his promises when we draw close to him? There are many instances in the Bible where he shows it.

John Gills used the saints as an illustration throughout his Exposition of the Bible. When they bring their physical selves into God’s holy place, when they walk in his courts and participate in his sacraments, when they beg to receive mercy and find grace at his throne of grace, and when they pray to God from the depths of their true hearts, with hands raised in true worship, the Father draws near to them.

When people exercise faith and hope to approach God and claim him as their covenant God and Father, he responds by drawing near to them in a variety of ways: by making himself known to them, by imparting to them his love, by bestowing upon them the benefits of his grace, by coming to their aid in times of trouble, and by shielding them from their adversaries.

As the Father first loves, so he first moves; he takes the first step and, in conversion, turns and draws men to himself; yet this does not regard the first conversion, after acts consequent to it; nor is it to be considered as a condition of the grace and favor of God in drawing near to his people, but is expressive of what is their duty and an encouragement to fulfill it.

Drawing near to God is of utmost importance in our spiritual journey. As the living God, he beckons us to approach him with full assurance, knowing that he desires a close and intimate relationship with us. Standing afar, we consistently understood God’s immensity, but it is through faith that we bridge the gap and draw nearer to him.

It also brings transformation and renewal to our lives. It is through this intentional pursuit that our hearts are sprinkled with his grace and love, washing away the stains of sin and filling us with his righteousness. As we draw nearer to him, our faith is strengthened, and we find the courage to lay hold of his promises and walk in his ways.

In drawing close to God, our connection with him deepens, and we experience the joy of his presence. It is a joyful noise that emanates from our souls as we worship and praise him, knowing that he is near and attentive to our prayers. Through drawing nearer to God, we discover the beauty of a closer relationship with the One who created us, sustains us, and offers us abundant life.

As we intentionally seek his presence and draw near to God, we are transformed by his gracious presence in our lives. We begin to experience his love, wisdom, and peace in profound ways, and our connection with him blossoms.

A Prayer To Draw Near To God

Almighty God, I give thanks for the privilege of drawing near to You. Lord, I am grateful that You made it possible for me to have a relationship with Your Son, Jesus, by serving as our Great High Priest. Lord, I recognize that my sins exclude me from receiving this favor, but thank You that You have provided a means for me to receive it via the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

This is a beautiful blessing. I thank you, God. Even if my sin is substantial, Your grace and mercy are much more significant. You sent Jesus because You knew I was too far from You to pray to God directly.

There was a time, Father God, when the Temple or synagogue was the only place where people could come to You for spiritual guidance. We praise You, Lord, that You are available to us at all times and in all areas. Even if I cannot perceive You now, You are still here with me. It doesn’t matter where I am—at home, market, or church—I may pray to You. Lord God, I thank You for hearing my plea this day as I sit here in this same room with You.

Almighty Redeemer, the only way I can become closer to You is if I admit to You whatever sin is lurking in my heart. Not because I think it would make You love me anymore, but because Your love for me is so enormous that I can’t help but confess my fault to You. The love You have for me, Father, compels me to come clean. I ask You, Father, to reveal whatever darkness lurks in my soul. Nothing should prevent me from growing closer to You.

Please assist me, Adonai, Yahweh, and Jehovah Rapha, since I sometimes find it challenging to read your Word. I know, Lord, that these are Your words to me. Give me a greater hunger to read the Scriptures You gave me, Lord. As I read Your Word, may I have eyes to see it and ears to hear it? Most significantly, Lord, I ask that You open my eyes to Your grace and mercy shown to me in Jesus. My understanding of Your kindness and mercy, O God, has brought me closer to You.

Lord God, please accept my gratitude for the Holy Spirit. Without God’s Spirit dwelling inside me, I would be utterly blind to how I could draw near to You. Although Jesus’ bodily presence on Earth was confined to a single location at a given moment, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every Christian is not. Thanks be to You, my Savoir, for the fact that this Spirit causes me to get nearer to You even when I don’t feel like it.

Help me, Father God, to love others as Jesus did. Please strengthen my love for You as I deepen my love for everyone around me. Help my spirit reflect Your likeness as I build relationships with others and with You. When I love others in my life, O God Almighty, I am not merely being a good person; I am bringing Your kingdom to Earth. Use me as You see fit, Lord.

May the Holy Spirit enable me with sincere hearts to draw near to You first thing in the morning, throughout the day, and at night as we lie down after a long day. My greatest desire, Heavenly Father, is to spend eternity in Your presence and to learn more about You. Things in life might indeed get harsh, but as long as I have You by my side, I’ll be able to handle anything. No matter what happens, I know You’ll be there to help me through it. Who can stand in my way if you’re on my side?

Great El Shaddai, I recognize that I may not be able to maintain this lifestyle forever. I ask that you continue transforming me as my faith in Christ deepens. In every way, I want to become closer to you, my father. All of this is being requested in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.

Conclusion

God wants to have a personal connection with you as much as you want to draw near to God. Given that you are still alive, he has not forgotten about you. Furthermore, the yearning within you to grow spiritually is a gift from the Lord. Now is the time for you to hear his call, and he has arranged everything to make that happen.

Ultimately, drawing near to God is an ongoing process nurtured through a sincere heart, supportive communities, and dedicated personal practices. As we commit ourselves to these ways of drawing closer to him, we open ourselves to a deeper relationship with God, where his love, grace, and guidance can transform our lives.

By embracing the holy place of the church, seeking forgiveness for our guilty conscience, immersing ourselves in his Word, and communing with him through prayer, we can experience the pure water of his presence and draw nearer to the heart of our loving Creator.