How To Get Closer To God Spiritually When Feeling Distant

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Published by Shannon Jacobs

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Do you want to know how to get closer to God spiritually? From the moment you accepted the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior[1], you may have wondered how to deepen this relationship even further. Spiritual growth is not an overnight process.

You owe it to God to make Him a priority in your life, just as you do with your loved ones. A stronger relationship with God will provide you with joy, deepen your faith, and allow you to grow closer to him. The list of ways to get closer to God is only the beginning of your spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways

  • Recognize the importance of making God a priority in life to deepen the relationship with Him, which can bring joy, faith, and growth.
  • Engage in spiritual practices such as reading Scripture, prayer, practicing humility, and participating in devotional activities to foster a closer connection with God.
  • Surround yourself with believers, participate in church activities, and seek guidance from experienced Christians to strengthen your spiritual journey and relationship with God.

The Steps On How To Get Closer To God Spiritually

We may approach God in a variety of ways, and it’s in our best interest to do so. Here’s how you can build a stronger personal relationship with God:

1. Read The Scripture By Heart

The Christian faith is founded on the teachings of the Holy Gospel. It is the foundation of our connection with God and the source of our understanding of Him. Even Jesus knew Scripture was important to combat temptation. We get to know God better and more intimately as we take some time for Bible reading and put it into practice in our daily lives.

2. Pray

If you intend to grow closer to God, you must establish a prayer life. Spending time with God is easy; just pray. Though a powerful tool, prayer doesn’t need to be complicated but sincere. Imagine talking to a great friend or your best friend.

Be intentional in telling the Father that you want to become closer to Him. Ask Him to pull you closer to Him by opening your heart. Beg Him to refresh your spirit and form you into the person He intended you to be, and then make a firm commitment to walk closely with Him at all costs.

3. Practice Humility

Developing genuine humility is not automatic; it requires prayer and deliberate action. Then you’ll be able to know what the Holy Spirit is ministering to you in your daily life. Hence, treating others better than yourself might help you cultivate humility.

Instead of being envious of their achievements, be grateful for them and praise them. Fighting against our sinful nature in our spiritual walk helps us become closer to God.

4. Glorify God Through Christian Music

While driving or cleaning the dishes, there’s something about listening to worship music that appeals to many people. Spend time focusing on the lyrics. Plus, many Christian song lyrics are based on Bible scripture!

5. Memorize Scripture And Internalize Bible Verses

God breathes words into the Bible through His apostles. Thus, it is Him talking to us through the Scriptures. Knowing God’s will through Bible study is one thing; memorizing scripture is another. Jesus memorized the Scriptures, and he frequently quoted from them.

The time Satan tempted Jesus when He was in the wilderness was always met with a recitation of the Scriptures. When the high priests used words, thinking they could trap Jesus, Jesus responded to their question with the holy gospel.

6. Practice A Daily Devotional

In a devotional, you may find a short passage, internalize its words, and offer a prayer to help you sort things out. You will get closer to God as you learn more about him each day. Focus on spending quality time with Him every day by scheduling a certain time in your day.

7. Obey God’s Commandments

Is it enough to simply read or listen to the teachings of the Holy Bible? That is not the case! You must follow Christ and His directions. “Do” his word deliberately. The Bible is your textbook, and it contains numerous action phrases to follow God’s will. It’s time to go out and do what you’ve been called to accomplish.

Through the lens of photography with a 50mm perspective, women praying

8. Listen To Podcasts On God’s Words

There are many audio materials available, including podcasts, audiobooks, online sermons, and more. Listen to them as you dine, get ready for the day, drive, work out, or do whatever you’re doing. Use it properly to get the most out of your time here, and your spiritual walk will greatly benefit you.

9. Have A Quiet Time With The Lord In The Morning

Set aside daily time in the morning, preferably shortly after you get up, to spend with the Lord. Find a quiet spot to eliminate distractions. No matter if you’re a morning person or not, take a few minutes to do so. Practicing this will help you develop a closer relationship with God.

10. Surround Yourself With Believers

As Christians, we are commanded to do three things: love, serve, and connect with our fellow believers. Attending church services can help you accomplish all these spiritual goals. Consider joining a small ministry at your church. It’s a huge help to have a support system, even a small group, that prays for you and encourages you as you walk with the Heavenly Father.

11. Love Other Believers And Embrace Non-Believers

The Bible tells us to love one another, which Jesus gave an example of. However, be prepared to follow the Lord’s great commandment since it’s not in our very nature to love those who don’t love us. To become closer to God spiritually, obedience is the simplest path.

12. Share God’s Word

As Christians, it is our responsibility to spread the word about Jesus Christ. You’d tell everyone you know about a terrific deal you found on shoes, wouldn’t you? The finest deal you’ll ever get is the salvation of our souls and the assurance that you won’t face an eternity in hell.

13. Study God’s Word With Others

Aside from studying on your own, you can schedule Bible studies with other Christians. Ask questions, look for answers, and share your realizations. You may also pray about it and encourage one another to put what you’ve learned into action.

14. Share Testimonies Of God’s Goodness In Your Life

Take time to tell a friend, a family member, or a co-worker how God has blessed your life. Witnessing is a powerful instrument that is pleasing to the Lord. It is an excellent opportunity to spread the gospel and remind yourself of what Christ has done for you.

15. Admire His Creation

We frequently miss out on appreciating the majesty of the nature God has created. Make it a habit to stop and contemplate the beauty of God’s creation on Earth. Sitting on a chair outside at night and gazing at the stars and the beautiful moon is an easy way to accomplish this. Think about how far they are, how many there are, and how God made each of them.

In an oil painting, a prayer scene unfolds

16. Read Christian Books

There are a plethora of excellent books published by godly men and women. Whether it’s about successful Christian men or motherhood advice for Christian women, you’ll be able to find plenty of resources to guide you in learning more about a certain subject, developing godly practices, or overcoming sinfulness.

17. Seek Guidance From Experienced Christians

Having more spiritually mature Christian close friends can help you deepen your spiritual life and experience more of God’s presence. Your church leader or Christian mentor may be a good source of advice and encouragement. They can provide you with godly advice and direction.

18. Journal The Things The Lord Has Done For You Every Day

Write down all the Holy Spirit’s works in your life in a journal to ensure they don’t go away. You can keep a prayer journal or a war binder to keep track of your prayer requests and how the Lord responds. It also helps you prioritize prayer since you are writing about it. Gratitude grows when we remember all of God’s answered prayers.

19. Practice Gratitude

Jesus, in all his human likeness, continuously expressed gratitude to His Father. Before Jesus fed more than 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves, he took the loaves and fish, gave thanks for each one, and distributed them to the people. Jesus continually expressed his gratitude to God, even on the night the Roman soldiers took him.

Make a list of all of the many blessings in your life and give thanks to God for them each day. Gratitude allows us to see God’s hand at work in the world around us. Instead of complaining about our circumstances, it encourages us to nurture a heart of contentment in Christ.

20. List Down The Things You Need To Change

You need to be brave enough to look at your own life from a new perspective. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you need to change through fasting and prayer. Perhaps it’s time to get rid of your bad habits.

21. Serve Others

Searching for new ways to serve others is a great approach to becoming more like Christ. You may learn a lot from Jesus’ example of selfless service. The deeper way you respond to Christ’s instruction to serve others will influence your relationship with God and help you get closer to God.

22. Use The Gifts God Has Bestowed On You

If you seek God, be ready when He seeks you, too. God wants you to use the spiritual abilities He has given you to serve others and get closer to Him.

23. Go Fasting

You may experience a remarkable encounter with God if you combine fasting with any other practice on this list. When you give up the things of this world, you can focus more on God and His will.

An illustration of prayer depicting a figure in deep contemplation with hands clasped

24. Take The Holy Communion

The Holy Communion is a remembrance of the Last Supper and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for us. It’s not something to be taken lightly. Periodically, take part in the Holy Communion at your local church.

25. Change Your Mindset

Let negative thoughts not sway you. Allowing them to grow roots in your heart is a mistake. Do not waste your time entertaining them. Do everything you can to fill your head with God’s word and things that are agreeable to Him. As a result, you’ll feel more connected to God.

26. Filter Your Media

Any form of media you consume may affect your thoughts and actions, even if you aren’t aware of it at first. Watching and listening to ungodly content may contaminate our thoughts with wicked and destructive stuff.

27. Forgive Those Who Wronged You

One of Jesus Christ’s most important teachings in the New Testament is forgiving those who have mistreated us. It demonstrates our devotion to Him. It is not easy, but the first step is to pray. Ask God to help you and bless the person who harmed you.

28. Be Sincere In Tithing

Practicing the art of giving helps avoid greed or attachment to material things. Making a personal tithing agreement with God strengthens your commitment to getting closer to Him.

29. Submit To Your Leaders

Spiritual discipline includes submission, and it’s a good idea to keep practicing it. Submission to worldly leaders teaches you how to surrender to God. It’s a directive straight out of the Bible. We owe it to the Christian elders in the community to respect and obey their authority.

30. Rest

Anxiety over the future is one of the things that prevents us from relaxing and sleeping well. It also deprives us of the time to do the important things to get closer to God. A good night’s sleep is essential to good health. In addition, we must not lose sight of the fact that God’s rest is the most valuable of all since it is the rest we get for our spirits.

A watercolor portrayal of prayer capturing a serene moment with a soft pastel palette

Summary

Are you ready to get closer to God? God wants to have a relationship with us and promises to reward those who desire to do so. He has orchestrated events for the day when you will finally hear his call. You’ll discover that your relationship with Him deepens as you follow these steps. Trust God as He gives you the courage to continue working on your faith.

And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

— Hebrews 11:6

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Way To Connect With God?

The best way to connect with God involves regular prayer, meditation, studying sacred texts, and engaging in communal worship and service. By practicing personal reflection, gratitude, and seeking guidance from spiritual teachings, individuals can deepen their understanding and relationship with the divine.

Connecting with God is a deeply personal journey, shaped by beliefs, experiences, and a commitment to spiritual growth.

How To Become A Spiritual Person?

Becoming a spiritual person entails exploring various traditions, practicing meditation, prayer, and reflection, and embracing kindness, gratitude, and personal growth. Engage with supportive communities and remain open to continual exploration and self-discovery on your spiritual journey.

How Do I Connect With God In Prayer?

To connect with God in prayer, create a quiet, focused space, and approach with sincerity and openness. Express your thoughts, feelings, and gratitude honestly, listening for guidance with reverence. Remember, prayer is a personal conversation with the divine, where sincerity and openness foster connection and understanding.

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