Drawing closer to God is a desire every Christian should have. It is necessary to examine ourselves periodically to see how well your relationship with God is going. And then, work on the areas you know isn’t going well.
So, whether you’re just starting out on your Christian journey or looking to renew your faith, here are seven steps to help you get closer to God;
7 Practical Ways to Grow Closer to God
Commit to daily Bible Reading.
The word of God is the foundation for building a relationship with God. You can’t draw closer to God without learning about Him through the scriptures. As you learn more about God through His Word, your faith grows stronger, clearing every doubt, and enabling you to stay firm in your faith.
When you study the Bible, be intentional and have an open heart. Prepare your heart to listen and adhere to what God has to say.
Do not overwhelm yourself with too many chapters. You can begin with one chapter per day. Alternatively, start with short Bible books like Philemon and Jude and see how you progress.
#2. Make praying a habit
A Consistent prayer life is another way to grow closer to God. Make a schedule that involves daily prayer. While it’s true that we cannot limit talking to God to only specific times of the day, it’s a good place to begin.
Contrary to what some Christians believe, setting aside a specific time of the day for prayer shows how much you value your relationship with God.
Schedule and spontaneous prayer time are both important in the lives of Christians.
#3. Fellowship with other Christians.
As a Christian, you should be careful who you spend time with. This is because their thoughts and behaviors will influence yours. Spending time with other Christians Fellow believers will encourage you in your walk with God.
Fellowshipping with other believers is a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to draw closer to God. When you’re around others who pray, you’re more likely to pray as well.
Here are some other benefits of fellowshipping with others;
– Ephesians 5:19 explains how a Christian community can be a source of strength for your faith walk. Paul tells the Ephesian church to encourage one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual music.
– Fellowshipping with other believers helps us grow stronger. The Bible in Proverbs 27:17, tells us that, “as iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another.”
#4. Let your desires be to please God.
One of the things that discourages Christians from drawing closer to God is fleshly desires. When your desires conflict with God’s will, they might lead us astray, taking you far from Him.
In John 14:15, Jesus states, “If you love me, keep my commandments. In the next verse of the same chapter, He added, “He that hears my commandments, and keeps them, loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
“You cannot claim to love God if you continue to act on your fleshly desires. Let your love not just be expressed in words but also in deeds.
#5. Meditate on God’s Word.
Meditation is simply thinking deeply about what God is saying through a Bible passage. When meditating, avoid focusing on verses alone, as they are not meant to be looked at separately. So try to focus on the broader plot or message of the passage you’re reading.
A lot of times, people think meditating on the bible takes hours. But trust me, it only takes a couple of minutes per day.
And the best part about meditating on the Bible is that it helps you feel encouraged. Those vulnerable moments spent reflecting on God’s promises encourage and reassure you of His faithfulness.
Meditation brings you closer to God by providing a safe space for you to surrender yourself to Him.
When you meditate, you open your mind and heart to God, preparing them to hear and accept his words.
Read more about meditating on God’s word here.
#6. Listen to worship music.
Listening to worship songs is one of the most effective ways to draw closer to God. Music is an effective tool for connecting more deeply with God.
Worship lyrics inspire love, hope, and devotion. And these are great elements that can help you nurture your relationship with God.
Praise and worship songs are all about lifting up Jesus Christ. They remind us of our value as God’s creation. Having these understanding can help you build a deeper relationship that draws you closer to God.
If you are not familiar with worship songs, YouTube, Boomplay, and Spotify are all platforms where you can search for good worship music.
#7. Prioritize quiet time with God.
A quiet time is simply a special devotion with God. It’s a regular appointment with God where you focus on Him alone through practices like prayer and Bible study.
You can have your quiet time in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
Many Christians prefer to have their quiet times early in the morning or a few minutes before bedtime. The truth is that there is no set time of day when Christians should have their quiet time.
The most important factor to consider while selecting an ideal devotion time is choosing a time when you’d have zero distractions.
Find out more about how to prioritize God here.
Conclusion On Drawing Closer To God.
Growing your relationship with God requires intentionality and commitment. You need to be intentional about daily Bible reading, praying, fellowshipping with other believers, etc.
And while you’re at it, remember that it’s not about perfection but about progress. Be intentional about taking ke small steps each day, and watch yourself grow.
