We long to grow closer to God, but what does that look like? How will we get there? Our relationship with God will last and grow through a lifetime—and then some. So, put aside any worry or guilt that might be holding you back, and commit to taking small steps each day, week and month.
Grab a sheet of paper, a pen and some time to think. What can only God do? Jot down your prayers, ask your spouse and kids for input, and commit the list to God. Display your prayers in a prominent spot, and make a note next to the ones that are fulfilled as the year goes by.
Every month select a verse to memorize and pray over your family. To get started, try one of the following verses:. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
He wants you to pray for other people so that they will repent and be healed. Ask your Christian friends about prayer. If prayer is new to you, look around and read articles online about how to pray effectively. Method 2. Remember that God is always right next to you. He is always with you, like a really close friend. If you do this, you will probably find yourself talking to God more and more.
When you talk to God, it does not have to be in formal prayer. Speak your heart when you need him in the moment. This will bring you closer to him. You will really benefit by worshiping God and seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He may talk into your heart during prayer or throughout the day, through others who never knew what you said in prayer. Also, He typically answers the "Why?
Talk to your church's youth minister, priest, pastor or children's teacher. Talk to them about questions you have. In general, they have studied the Bible and may have asked similar questions themselves. You will learn many things about God that you did not know. Why does He allow the free choice for us to sin? Why does He allow His people suffer; how are there troubles when doing "good".
Why did He let His Son suffer, bleed and die on the cross to save us from sin. Why did Christ need to return to the Father in Heaven. Why did He send the Holy Spirit, etc. Read the Bible. Getting to know God will help you grow closer, and the Bible is the written word of God. What does He like? What does He dislike?
What makes Him happy, sad or angry? What does He value? What does He think is foolishness? All these answers are in the book. Try to read your Bible daily through a reading plan. Devotionals help because they explain passages in ways that relate to our lives, and explains a lot!
You can buy your own, our find some online. A great book that spells out the promises of God, which are true even in the difficult times of life, is "Always True" by James MacDonald. He directs you to Scriptures that will encourage you and give you hope in tough times. Do not make false promises to God. If you fail, or falter, on a promise, go back and make amends with Him. Maybe He will want you to make amends to others. Maybe not. Recognize that when you pray, understand your feelings, so that you can better understand Him.
Open your heart and be honest. He already knows what is in your heart. You need to see what is in your heart. Be honest with yourself.
If you lie, you are only lying to yourself because He already knows the truth. Pay attention in church. You will learn a lot more and feel more in tune with God. Take notes in church! This helps tremendously and later on, you can review them and figure out how to apply principles to your own life.
Participate in church. Singing in church , and engaging in the actions bow your head, stand up, sit down is not enough. Volunteer as much as you can, help others, and be blessed. Be honest in your thought, feeling, action. God is pure, so the more you are pure, the more God will touch your heart and fulfill your heartfelt desires. Resist violence and fights.
Stay balanced and ethically serene. Read the Bible for help on keeping an eternal cool. Go to Confession. If you are of the Catholic faith, go to Confession at least once every months. It will help you to live a more Christian life, and become closer to God.
Associate with those of the same faith. Whether you are a child, a teenager, or adult, keep company with people of the same faith. This will assist your own faith to grow stronger, especially when two or more persons are gathered, praying and hoping for God's guidance. This does not mean you cannot also connect with people that do not believe, or are of a different faith. What matters is what is in your heart. Whenever you pray, have faith. If you do not believe, you won't become closer to God.
Zachary Rainey Ordained Minister. Zachary Rainey. The Holy Bible provides written material to understand and obey the will of God. In devoting a portion of your day to reading and memorizing Scripture, you can get to know Him better. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5. If you feel God is important, be willing to invest some of your time and resources into knowing Him better. Dedicate time each day to reading the Scripture, prayer, and journaling about your relationship with God. You should also become part of a community in which you pray and worship with others who share your faith and provide mutual encouragement to focus upon God.
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7. Know that a conversation with God never ends. Do you have any suggestions for ways to pray that will bring me closer to God? Pray through your heart and give your all to God when you are praying.
Not Helpful 9 Helpful Living life in this fallen world with eternity in your heart is a tremendous struggle. For instance, if you want to know God better, consider a study of his names in the Old Testament and Jesus' "I am" statements in the New Testament. If you need to slow down and learn to listen for his voice, study all the Word says about "rest" or "hearing" or his "voice. We can grow at a faster rate in community because we are able to share our experiences with one another and hold each other accountable.
Find a small group study in your local church or be the catalyst to start one among friends or neighbors or even co-workers during your lunch hour. Keep a "blessing book" in which you record every blessing that comes your way throughout the year, adding a prayer of thanks or praise.
In addition, write out your prayer requests and record the answers as they come. By writing out these types of things, you will not only be more keenly aware of how God is working in and around your life, but you will become a person who is able to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonians Say it aloud every day.
I guarantee if you do this, by the end of the year - and probably a lot sooner - you will have memorized one more verse of Scripture. Choose from Psalm , Psalm , Psalm , Galatians , Philippians , Philippians , or find one of your own.
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