50 Powerful Ways to Get Closer to God
Every Christian wants to get closer to God and live a godly life. There are several different ways we can approach the Lord, and it is in our best interest that we do so. Use the following list to pursue a deeper relationship with Him.
1. Read the Bible
The Holy Bible is the basis of the Christian faith. It is God’s Word, as He revealed to the biblical authors (2 Peter 1:20-21). Our knowledge of God comes from it, and our relationship with Him must be based on it. The more we read the Bible, learn from it, and apply it to our lives, the more we know the Lord and grow in a closer relationship with Him.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” (Joshua 1:8 NKJV)
2. Pray
Prayer is a great way to get closer to the Lord. There’s no doubt about it. It is essential for any Christian is to make it a daily habit. The more you connect to God in prayer, the more your personal relationship with Him grows closer. To get started, select a daily prayer time, and make it the best part of your day. But don’t limit yourself to that specific time. Keep in mind that you can pray whenever you want or need it and wherever you are. Just a thought is enough to connect you to our Heavenly Father.
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)
3. Meditate on Bible Verses from God’s Word
Christian meditation is a spiritual discipline in which you take some time to ponder on what you read from Scripture. So, after you read a Bible passage, think about what it means, how it affects your life, what you need to change, what it teaches you about yourself, what it teaches you about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Get more from your Bible reading by taking the time to let your mind digest the texts you’ve just read and apply what you learned to your life.
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2 NKJV)
4. Memorize Verses from Scripture
To get more connected to God’s words from Scripture, you can memorize key verses or passages from the Bible. That will help you meditate on those messages throughout the day and remember them whenever you need them (for example, during prayer, while talking to someone, during difficult times).
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11 NKJV)
5. Study the Bible in Depth
Studying the Bible is going further than just reading it. In a Bible study, you will seek to find the meaning of the biblical texts as the original authors had in mind when they wrote them. Then, you can correctly apply that text to your life. To help you do that, you can use Study Bibles, English and Bible dictionaries, commentaries, other Bible versions and translations for comparison, and other online and print resources that will help you get a deeper understanding of the Word of God.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV)
6. Praise and Worship the Lord with Music
Worship music is an easy way to connect to the Lord. There are many beautiful and profound songs that talk about the greatness of God. Other songs are prayers that you can use as if they were your own. Make sure to be selective. Choose melodies you enjoy and lyrics that best express what you want to say and, most importantly, that are biblically accurate. Then, sing out to the Lord! You can do it every once in a while, or you can use it as part of your daily quiet time.
“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:2 KJV)
7. Praise and Worship the Lord Without Music
Praising and worshipping the Lord is not only about Christian music – singing is not the only way to do it. To praise Him is to proclaim His greatness and to declare His mighty works (Psalm 150:2), according to what the Bible teaches us. Praising Him leads us to worship Him, that is, to adore and venerate Him for who He is and what He has done. You can do that with your own words in prayer, expressing wonder and gratitude to God in your own way. That is one of the best ways to know God and get closer to Him.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15 KJV)
8. Journal about What God Has Done for You
Our memory is tricky – it forgets things. Even if it doesn’t forget a whole event, it usually fails to remember important details. God does many things for us every single day, and most of them end up getting lost. So, use a journal and write down the things He has done for you every day. It will help you remember about His grace, kindness, and love.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” (Psalm 103:2 KJV)
9. Share Testimonies of What the Lord Has Done in Your Life
We were called to be witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). We need to talk about the wonderful things He has done for us. So, whenever you have the chance, share your stories with the people around you – family members, coworkers, friends, neighbors, followers on social media, etc. Tell them and give praise to the Lord for what He has done!
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” (Psalm 66:16 NKJV)
10. Pray to God Alone in Your Room
On several occasions, the gospel accounts show Jesus seeking moments of solitude in prayer with the Father (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). Needless to say, this is a good habit that we need to learn from Jesus, the son of God. Those intentional prayer times are the moments when we can open our hearts to the Lord, confess our sins, seek forgiveness, thank Him for His many blessings, enjoy God’s presence.
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6 NKJV)
11. Read Good Books That Will Help You Grow in Your Spiritual Walk
There are many good books written by God-fearing men and women that can be useful for us. Some authors shared their life experiences which can teach us practical lessons. Others shared the results of deeper biblical studies that took them a long time of research and meditation, and so on. You can choose a topic or necessity, and you will find many good books that will help you go deeper into a specific subject, learn new godly habits, get rid of bad habits and sins, etc.
“For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:6 NKJV)
12. Share God’s Word with Someone Every Day
Make it a purpose to share verses and lessons from Scripture daily. You can preach the good news of the Gospel to someone, teach in a small group, disciple a new Christian, or even share biblical texts and meditations on social media. Use your creativity and spread the Gospel to those around you. If you decide to do this, the Holy Spirit will help you with words and boldness to accomplish your spiritual goals (John 14:26; Hebrews 13:6).
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” (Mark 16:15 NKJV)
13. Include a Daily Devotional in Your Routine
When we pray, we talk to God; when we read the Bible, God talks to us, and we learn about Him. That’s why it is so important to connect these two spiritual disciplines to grow our personal relationship with the Lord. You can also include other suggestions from this article, like being alone with God, singing worship music, meditating on Scripture, etc. Block a daily time on your schedule and focus on making it a quality time to spend with Him.
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV)
14. Love Others Intentionally
Loving others is a direct command from God (Leviticus 19:18) that Jesus reinforced (Matthew 22:37-39). That’s not optional. However, it requires our willingness to obey because loving those who don’t love us is not natural for us. And it is necessary if we want to follow Jesus, according to the word of Christ (Matthew 5:43-48). It is not the easiest way to get closer to God, but He requires our obedience (John 14:15, 1 John 5:3).
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34 NKJV)
15. Use a Prayer Journal to Write down Your Requests and the Answers God Has Given You
A journal will help you register your experiences and memories and keep them from vanishing from your mind. You can use a journal to record your prayers and how God answered them. The more we remember what God has done for us, the more grateful we are. Even if the answer is not what you wanted or expected, you can learn from it. A prayer journal will help you trust the Lord more and learn to pray according to God’s will.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (1 John 5:14 KJV)
16. Put Specific Commands from God’s Word into Practice
Obedience is key for our relationship with our Heavenly Father (John 14:15). However, it doesn’t come naturally to us. We need to take the path of practice to acquire the discipline to obey God’s words through His Holy Spirit. You can begin with one of Jesus Christ’s commands, like forgiving people who hurt you. Pray about it and make the effort to obey it.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 NKJV)
17. Have a Quiet Time Alone with God First Thing in the Morning
Take some time off your morning, preferably right after you wake up, to be with God. If you have children, you can do that before they wake up. Even if you’re not a morning person, you can take some time to pray to the Lord before you begin your day. This habit will certainly bring you to a more intimate relationship with Him.
“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” (Psalm 5:3 NKJV)
18. Pray Together with Another Believer
Sometimes in our lives, we go through such difficult times that we find it hard to even pray. In those moments, it is essential to reach out to your close friends from your church community. Talk to them, tell them what you’re going through, and, most importantly, pray together with them. It will help you strengthen your faith, and you both will see what God will do in your life.
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16 NKJV)
19. Study the Bible with Another Believer
Being a Christian, you need to study the Bible. Besides studying by yourself, you can improve your learning experience by arranging Bible studies with a fellow believer. You can discuss what you learned from the biblical text, ask questions, search for answers, share what you researched, pray about it together, encourage each other to put it into practice, etc. Investing your time in Bible study with a great friend will help you both grow closer to God and help each other be better Christians.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV)
20. Pray the Word of God
An excellent way to learn to pray or boost your prayer life is to pray God’s words. It’s not about repeating the words without paying attention to what you’re saying (Matthew 6:7). You read the words and make them your own, adapting them to your own situation. If you do repeat them, make sure that you mean them, like we do when we say the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4:1 KJV)
21. Listen to the Word of God
Besides reading and studying, you can access the Bible in audio format to be more exposed to the Word of God throughout your day. You can listen to biblical passages while you’re driving, in your commute, during walks, etc. It’s an important way to use that time and help you connect to God.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17 KJV)
22. Be Thankful to God for All He Has Done for You
Everything good we have in our lives comes from God (James 1:17). Unfortunately, we don’t always take the time to thank Him or to acknowledge His kindness and grace towards us. Take some time in your day to do that. Express your gratitude for major things, like Jesus’s death on the cross for us, and the ordinary things too. Recognize the way God has taken care of you and be thankful to Him.
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
23. Take Some Time to Admire God’s Creation
Sometimes we need to slow down or even stop and see what we’re missing in our hectic lives. One of the things we usually neglect is our time with God. We also fail to notice the beauty of the nature God created. So, dedicate some time to admire God’s creation and connect to Him on a regular basis. A simple way to do it is to sit out on a chair and gaze at the stars at night. Think about how far and how numerous they are, and God created every single one of them. Admire the splendor of creation and praise the Creator, your beloved Father.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1 NKJV)
24. Seek the Counsel of Another More Experienced Believer
No matter how experienced you are, seek another more experienced believer to engage in discipleship. Pray to God about it and, if possible, choose someone you already know and admire as a God-fearing believer. Seek someone that can be an example to you (1 Corinthians 11:1). They can help you with godly advice and guidance in your spiritual life.
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days.” (Proverbs 19:20 NKJV)
25. Make an Inventory of Your Life and Look for Things You Need to Change
Every once in a while, we need to have the courage to take a deep look into our life. With fasting and prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to change. Maybe it is a bad habit you need to get rid of. Maybe it is a sin that you need to abandon. Or maybe you need to do something you’ve been postponing, like forgiving someone, make more time for your family, etc. Let the Lord confront you and show you what He wants you to do.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 KJV)
26. Take an Opportunity to Serve a Fellow Christian or Someone in Need
The Lord Jesus Himself said that He came to the world not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). And He expects nothing less of his followers, that we too serve others (Galatians 5:13). Our love for others, which is a commandment from God (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-39), must be shown in our actions (1 John 3:18). Whenever you can, take the opportunity to do something for someone without any intention of being rewarded by it. Do good unto them and let all the glory be given to the Lord.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).
27. Pray for Someone Else and Put Your Faith into Action
If a friend, a family member, an acquaintance, or another believer you know is going through difficult times, offer to pray for them (and with them, if possible). It is an excellent way to put your faith into action. It doesn’t mean that God will answer the way you both want Him to, but it will certainly get you both closer to Him. If that person is not a believer but accepts your prayers, it might be a great opportunity to witness to them as well.
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” (1 Timothy 2:1 KJV)
28. Practice Humility Towards Others
True humility doesn’t come naturally for us; we need to develop this godly characteristic through prayer and intentional actions. Then we will see the Holy Spirit’s work in our life. So, practice humility by treating others as better than yourself. Be glad about their accomplishments (instead of jealous) and honor them. Fighting against our fallen nature to obey God’s Word is a powerful way to get closer to our Lord.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3 KJV)
29. Confess Your Sins and Seek Repentance
Sin keeps us away from the Lord and damages our relationship with Him (Romans 3:23). When the Holy Spirit, through God’s Word or the wise counsel of a fellow believer, confronts your sin, you need to do something about it. The first thing you need to do is to confess your sin to God. Admit what you did and that you’re sorry. Then, ask the Lord for forgiveness. He is kind and forgiving, and He promised that, if we repent, He will forgive and forget our sins (Hebrews 8:12).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 KJV)
30. Pursue Holiness
If we want to get closer to God, it means that we need to pursue holiness in our lives (James 4:8). How do we do that? We pray, follow God’s words from Scripture, and seek the Holy Spirit’s presence to guide us and confront us with our sin. When we sin, we must repent and seek forgiveness (1 John 1:9). It is a challenge that we will face throughout our entire life, but it is definitely worth it.
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:9 NKJV)
31. Show Gratitude Towards Other People
Our God is a loving Father, and He wants His children to be like Him. One way that we can show our godly character to the world is by being grateful for what other people did for us. Tell them how they blessed your life. Honor those people and express your gratitude towards them as a testimony of the Lord you serve.
“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;” (Ephesians 1:16 KJV)
32. Be Kind with Your Spoken and Written Words
In times of online collaboration and communication, sometimes we forget that there is a real person on the other end, someone with real feelings that can get hurt by harsh words. Sometimes we forget what the Bible tells us about using soft words (Proverbs 15:1), or about letting our speech always be with grace (Colossians 4:6). We need to be attentive about the way we express our thoughts and be watchful of how our words are perceived by other people. Being kind even to those who offend us is a testimony of what God has done in our lives.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV)
33. Seek a Deeper Intimacy with God Through His Word
Reading and studying the Bible it’s not just about getting more information. It’s about deepening the relationship and intimacy with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’re used to a regular reading that you do every day. So, challenge yourself to seek God in the Scripture in a deeper way. Read it like a love letter, something written by your best friend, who wants you to know Him, not only know about Him. Seek Him like someone who is looking for a treasure (Matthew 13:45-46), and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NKJV)
34. Use Biblical Laments to Get Closer to God When You’re Sad or Grieving
Suffering can cause a person to drift apart from God. The sadness may keep them from praying and seeking God’s help. Many heroes of faith from the Bible went through significant losses and great challenges too. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, they wrote about it. Those words of lament from Scripture can bring us comfort today and be our prayer when we are at a loss of words of our own.
Jesus used a biblical lament (Psalm 22) to express His agony on the cross (Matthew 27:46). So, instead of drifting away from God, use lamentations to express your sorrow. Reach out to God, who is the only One who can help you. Bring your complaints to Him, ask for His help, and trust Him (Romans 8:28). He is still in control, no matter what happens (Job 42:2; Psalm 135:6).
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 KJV)
35. Be Very Selective of What You Watch
We all need to pursue a holy life to deepen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. An important way you do that is to be very selective and careful with the things you submit to your eyes and your mind, especially the things you watch. TV shows, movies, videos on the Internet, they all influence our thinking, even if we don’t notice it. If toxic and sinful content goes through our eyes, it can pollute our minds (Luke 11:34). Keep your mind free of what offends our Lord and focus on good things instead (Philippians 4:8).
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” (Psalm 101:3 KJV)
36. Make It a Habit to Pray Before Meals
As it is with so many good things that God does for us, we must be thankful for the food He provides every day (Matthew 6:11). Before Jesus fed the multitude, He thanked the Father for the food (Matthew 15:36). We must take a moment to pray and express our gratitude before enjoying our meals (Colossians 3:17). Such prayers witness to those around us that God is our provider. It also reminds us that, no matter what we do, it is God who ultimately feeds us and takes care of our needs (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:19).
“And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.” (Acts 27:35 KJV)
37. Read the Whole Bible
The Holy Bible is the basis of the Christian faith. We believe it is the Word of God. Therefore, any Christian needs to know it. Reading the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, might seem like a huge challenge, but it can be achieved with perseverance and strategy.
There are many Bible reading plans out there that can help you accomplish this goal. If you don’t want to use any specific reading plan, you can use a simple solution: if you read three chapters a day, you will finish the whole Bible in about a year. If you prefer to tackle this challenge at a faster rate, you can read more chapters per day and finish it sooner.
People usually think that a great time to start such an endeavor is at the beginning of a new year, then they will finish it by the end of the year. However, the best time to start it is today.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)
38. Listen to Podcasts, Sermons, or Audiobooks While You’re Eating, Exercising, Commuting, Etc.
Maybe you want to learn more about God and study the Bible, but you don’t have much time to dedicate to it. Well, if you are willing to try, you can use audio content and find some slots of time that you can redeem and use for this goal. There are many podcasts, online sermons, audiobooks, and other audio resources that can provide you with excellent content for your spiritual growth. Listen to them while you’re eating, getting ready in the morning, driving, exercising, etc. Use this time wisely, and you will learn more than you thought you could, and it will enrich your spiritual life.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 KJV)
39. Practice Fasting and Get Closer to God
Throughout the Bible, when servants of God needed to seek His presence in challenging times, or when they needed to make an important decision or to focus more on Him, they usually took some time off to fast and pray (Exodus 34:28; Nehemiah 1:4; Luke 4:1-2; Acts 13:2-3). We must not see the practice of fasting as good works or a bargaining chip. We don’t do it to exchange favors with God. We do it to discipline our bodies (1 Corinthians 9:27), give up distractions, including food, and focus on seeking God’s presence. Being closer to Him is our greatest reward.
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:17-18 NKJV)
40. Use Your Talents to Bless Others
God gave wonderful talents to us all. He did that with the purpose that we bless each other lives with those talents. They were not meant for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. So, to please the Lord, take an inventory of your gifts and talents, and think of ways you can use them to bless your local church and community.
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10 NKJV)
41. Forgive Those Who Hurt You
Forgiving people who hurt us is one of Jesus Christ’s commands (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-35). It is also a challenging way to show our love for Him through obedience (John 14:15). A good starting point is praying. Ask God to help you and bless that person that hurt you. Admit that you don’t feel like it (if you don’t), but you want to do it and follow God’s will. Ask Him to change your heart about it. Repeat that prayer until you feel that you don’t hold any grudge against that person.
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25 NKJV)
42. Check the Bible for Bad Habits and Sins You Need to Eliminate from Your Life
During your Bible study, if you come across a command to get rid of some bad habit or sin, stop and think for a moment. Check if that might apply to your own life. We are sinners (Romans 3:23), so, unfortunately, we sin (1 John 1:8).
But we must make every effort, along with the help from the Holy Spirit, to avoid sinning. If you are confronted by Scripture to stop doing something that you regularly do, you must obey. Pray about it, seek advice from a more experienced believer that may help you overcome temptation, and do all you can to be obedient to God’s commands.
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17 KJV)
43. Discipline Your Thoughts
When the apostle Paul wrote about the spiritual war in our minds, he said that we need to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV). That means we need to discipline our thoughts.
When evil thoughts come to your mind, you must not entertain them. Don’t allow them to stick around and create roots in your heart. You must reject them right away. Flood your mind with Scripture and things that are pleasing to the Lord. That will bring you closer to Him.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 KJV)
44. Be Part of a Local Church
No local church is perfect but being part of one is essential for any Christian. It is among other believers that Christians can influence and build each other up (Colossians 3:16). It is there that you will be exhorted, taught, and blessed, and you will also learn about God and His Word (1 Timothy 4:13). If you want to get closer to God and His family on earth, the first step is to join a local church (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:19-22; Galatians 3:26-28).
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV)
45. Get Involved with Your Local Church
The local church was never meant to be a club, where you go every Sunday, and that’s it. If you want to get closer to God, get involved with your brothers and sisters in Christ. It is among other believers that you will grow in faith and serve others with the gifts God has given you, and be blessed by them too (1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11-16).
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42 KJV)
46. Take Holy Communion Periodically
Holy Communion is an ordinance from Christ Jesus (Luke 22:19-20) and a special moment to remind us of His sacrifice for us. We must take this moment seriously, and we must be eager to participate in it with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Don’t take it lightly. Make every effort to participate in Communion in your local church periodically.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV)
47. Practice Rest and Trust the Lord
The lack of proper rest is a serious contemporary health issue for many people. One of the reasons that keep us from getting relaxed and able to rest is being anxious about the future. We need to take rest seriously, for our bodies need it. We also need to remember that the most important rest is the one that Jesus provides, which is the rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29). Because of Him, we can pause our work and rest our bodies and minds without worries, for He takes care of us (Matthew 6:25-34).
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 KJV)
48. Practice Submission to Your Leaders
Submission is one of the spiritual disciplines that we need to practice. Submitting to our earthly leaders prepares us and trains us to be able to submit to our Lord. It is a direct command from Scripture (Ephesians 5:21). We need to submit to and honor the godly leaders in our community.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17 KJV)
49. Make God a Priority in Your Life
Many things in our lives demand our attention and affection. Sometimes we put aside the most important things, and we pay the price for our foolish choices. So, if you want to get closer to God, you need to make Him the top priority in your life. That’s the great commandment (Matthew 22:36-38). It’s not only about attending church services (although it is important). It is about focusing on your relationship with God and making Him (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) the utmost love of your life (Luke 14:26).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 KJV)
50. Intentional about Seeking the Presence of God
Whatever you do, make sure that you’re doing it for God, to seek the presence of the Lord. Don’t do it just to check tasks off a list. Do it out of love for the One who deserves our utmost love, gratitude, and praise.
You won’t get closer to God because you deserve it, so don’t make it about good works. You will get closer to Him because you seek Him, you love Him, and you desire to be with Him (James 4:8). God’s presence is the most important gift you can have, and that’s what we all need to pursue.
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV)
Conclusion
In our spiritual walk, there are simple steps we can take to get closer to God. This article presents you with a great list that you can use as a guideline, selecting the items that you need to focus on at each season of your life. From new Christians to the more experienced believers, we can all grow as citizens of the kingdom of heaven and children of our Heavenly Father if we take the time and effort to seek Him every day.