How to Get Closer to God Spiritually
“Lord, as I enter into this new year, give me the grace to grow closer to you, to improve my walk with you……”
Sound familiar? I’m sure most of us had this or a similar version as one of our new year’s resolutions, to get closer to God. For you, it may not be a new year’s resolution, it may be arriving at that point where you just know that you need to get closer to God.
But as we all know too well, we sometimes find ourselves back at “square one”, it is easy to lose track in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, the worries, and the next thing you see yourself praying less, skipping prayer meetings, studying the bible less.
Before I dive into how to get closer to God spiritually, it is vital for you to know that God knew you first, he loved you first and he desired a relationship with you first and always. The word of God in Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT) says, “Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
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How to Get Closer to God Spiritually
The following are the ways you know that you are on the right path to getting closer to God spiritually.
Personal Desire to Draw Closer to God
We were all created by God to know him, to love him and to serve him. Thus, cut off from God, there is a void that cannot be filled with even the best of the pleasures and success of this world. There will always be a yearning for more with God, to know him, to be closer, to build upon our relationship with him. Therefore the moment you start yearning for God, you have taken the first big step.
Reflect on Ways to Draw Closer to God
It is important that you take out time to reflect on ways you can be deliberate in building a relationship with God. Approach building a relationship with God the same way you will want to build a relationship with a friend, but only this time it’s better. Here are 11 innovative ways to grow your faith! God is not a man that will take offence, be impatient with you or give up on you. God doesn’t have “deal-breakers” or “non-negotiables”. He loves and wants you in every form you can be. He is there, with arms wide open, always ready to welcome you back home and desires that you experience his peace and love. In Revelations 3: 20, God says; “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Be Intentional in Getting Closer to god
You have to be intentional in your journey of getting closer to God. Approach it the same way you would if you were trying to build a relationship with a friend? You can spend time studying the word of God, you can try out Bible Apps like “You Version” with a lot of daily devotional plans to choose from- setting a reminder for a particular time will help. Pray, every moment you can, it can be at work and you say “Thank you Jesus for your mercy”. Fellowship with believers, find a community of believers to support and encourage you. Listen to messages or Christian podcasts. Listen to Christian worship songs. Read Christian books. Identify things that may distract you, let go of them and focus only on Jesus.
It is easy to fall off track in your journey of getting closer to God. In the same manner one may get busy with work and personal issues and may fail to make out time for a friend. Don’t feel discouraged and give up, just get back up every time.
You cannot get closer with God merely by your own human efforts, the things that contend for your attention are innumerable. God in Rom 9:16 (AMP) says; “So then God’s choice is not dependent on human will, nor on human effort [the totality of human striving], but on God who shows mercy [to whomever He chooses—it is His sovereign gift].”
Depend solely on God, that he will come towards you, that he will never abandon you or “cancel” you no matter how much you are unable to meet up. He is always with you.
How to Be Closer to God
When it comes to growing closer to God spiritually, I think prayer and Bible Study is the best way to accomplish this. Here are some resources to get you started on the right path.
Spend time reading God’s Word – Opening your Bible is one of the best ways to get closer to God. Even if its just reading a chapter a day. Not only will you find Bible verses about getting closer to God, but you will also learn about God and his desires for us in the process. If you are looking for some accountability, consider joining our Bible reading challenge.
Sojo Academy publishes monthly topical Bible reading plans which are great to help you dig into God’s word. Here is a free 1 hour Bible Study to get you started!
Spend time in Prayer -In 1 Thessalonians, Paul reminds us to pray without ceasing. Prayer is simply talking with God just as you would a friend. While this may be true, at times we may find ourselves still struggling with prayer and building a solid prayer life. If this is your struggle, I would encourage you to pray scripture. I find this handy prayer guide a great place to start!
How to Get Closer to God Scriptures
If you would like some Bible verses about getting closer to God, consider the following verses below. You may wish to read them in several different translations. The following scriptures have all been taken from the King James Version.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.: Jeremiah 29:13
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Prayers to Get Closer to God
Are you feeling lost and disconnected from God? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people feel this way at some point in their lives. When you feel like you are drifting away from God and you are looking to experience his love more abundantly, consider praying the following prayer. With time and taking intentional steps to be closer to God, you’ll find that your relationship with God will deepen and strengthen.
Invite Jesus into your heart, surrender the journey of getting closer to him into his hands. Your prayers to get closer to god can go like this:
“Dear Father, I need you, come into my life. I desire to grow closer with you, I ask that you hold my hands every step of the way, that you pick me up every time I fall. That I may grow deeper and deeper in love with you. Thank you, Jesus, Amen
Draw Closer To God
Finally, keep in mind that it is God’s will to fellowship with you as a father with a child and as friends with each other. The plans God has for you are good and not bad. It is never too late to start with God. It is irrelevant the number of times you have fallen or how far gone you think you are. Come as you are to your Father who eagerly awaits you with arms wide open.
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