My spirit was restless, and my heart was troubled. I knew I needed more than platitudes or sympathy; I needed to draw near.
I sat quietly one night wrestling with my words until I finally prayed, “God, I want to know Thee.”
It was in that moment I knew: drawing near to Christ each day is a choice we make. It’s made up of small decisions and steps of repentance. Becoming more intimate with God isn’t something you do in one day—it’s cultivated day by day by the desires of your heart and the choices you make each day.
Growing close to our Creator is like any relationship—you have to have a purpose for spending time together. The more you spend time with Him, listen to Him, speak to Him, and obey His ways, the closer you grow. You can’t do life with God on your own schedule. You can’t spend time with Him only when you’re “in the mood.”
Here are 15 daily practices to help you draw near to God:
1. Begin Your Day With God
Your heart is tender first thing in the morning. The voice you hear when you open your eyes and the first thought you think upon waking matters. Pause before you reach for your phone. Recognize that God is there. Say thank you that He gave you another day or pray that He would give you strength for the day ahead. Taking even two minutes to spend with God before your day begins will set the tone for the rest of your day.
Read also: 10 Effective Ways to Self Discipline Yourself
2. Spend Time in God’s Word Each Day
The Bible isn’t just a history book or guide to religious practices—it’s God’s living word, given to you so that you might be directed, comforted, and corrected by Him. Spend time in the Bible each day allowing His word to penetrate your spirit. You don’t have to read chapters on end; you simply have to read it with an open heart and allow Him to speak to you. Meditating on His word means resting in His truth until it transforms how you think and act.
3. Pray Expectantly and Often
Prayer is how you talk to God. Instead of memorized prayers and words spoken from tradition, open up your heart to Him. Tell Him your fears. Tell Him your wants. Tell Him what you don’t understand and what you’re thankful for. Make prayer a normal part of your daily routine. Don’t wait for the “big” things to pray about. The more you pour your heart out to God, the more you will trust Him with everything.
Read also: 7 Key Areas of Your Life to Set Goals
4. Give God Thanks
Take time to thank God for your blessings, both big and small. When you begin to recognize all that He provides you day by day, you’ll start to see just how big His hand is in your life. An attitude of gratitude will cause you to see less of what you think you need and more of what God has already given. Research on gratitude and well-being supports this connection, including findings shared by Harvard Health.
5. Choose Obedience
Growing close to God is about relationship, but it is also about obedience. There will be times when what He asks of you doesn’t make sense. Trusting God’s ways over your own can be hard, but learning to obey when you don’t understand will only draw you closer to Him. Studies on reflective learning and application show that applying what is read leads to deeper growth and understanding, as outlined by the American Psychological Association.
6. Be Still Before Him
Sometimes drawing near to God requires no words, just time spent in His presence. Find a quiet place and sit with the Lord. Turn off your electronics and allow yourself to simply be still and aware of Him. In His presence, you will find His healing.
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7. Worship God
Worship isn’t just about singing songs to God, though music can be a powerful tool. True worship is about dedicating your whole life to Him. You can worship God through music, but you can also worship Him through your words and actions everyday.
8. Surround Yourself With Godly People
The friendships you keep will either strengthen your walk with Christ or weaken it. Spend time with other believers who can encourage and build you up in your faith. Find a group of people that you can be accountable to and that will pray for you when you need it most.
9. Serve
God has given each of us different gifts in order to serve others. Find a local church that provides opportunities to serve others. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or serve in a nursery. Find ways to put your faith into action by serving others.
10. Confess Your Sin
Sin drives a wedge between you and God. Confession is not about shame or guilt, it’s about freedom. You do not have to walk around carrying the weight of your mistakes. Tell God what you did, spend time repenting of your sin, and allow Him to forgive you and cleanse you. You are restored.
11. Remain Humble
An arrogant heart will never draw near to God. No, humility keeps your heart soft and allows you to be led by the Father. Remember, you are nothing without God.
12. Never Stop Learning
There is so much about our God that we will never understand on this earth. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to grow in our knowledge of Him. Learn more about who He is and what pleases Him. Delve into personal Bible study but also couple it with learning in a group setting.
13. Trust God With Your Future
Saying that God is in control of your future means submitting your plans to Him. It’s not about God bless this restaurant I decided to open. It’s about allowing God to lead you, even if that means going in a different direction than you had planned
14. Remember How He Has Provided
Keep a journal of how God has provided for you in the past. When you are in the midst of a trial, it can be difficult to believe that God will take care of you. When you look back on all He has done, it will become easier to trust that He will provide for you today.
15. End Your Day With God
As you spend time with God first thing in the morning, spend time with Him before you fall asleep at night. Thank Him for another day on earth. Tell God where you fell short that day and ask Him to forgive you. Rest in His promises that while you sleep, He is still watching over you.
Conclusion
Drawing near to God each day isn’t about checking boxes. It’s a choice to start every day with a willing heart. Some days you will wake up feeling closer to God than others, but each day matters. Each prayer you make, each act of obedience, and each moment you spend with God draws you nearer to Him. One day at a time, you will find yourself brought closer to the Father who knows you and loves you perfectly.
FAQ
What does it mean to draw near to God daily?
It means choosing, each day, to seek God intentionally through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and time in His presence.
Do I need to do all 15 practices every day?
No. These practices are guides, not rules. Start small and allow your relationship with God to grow naturally over time.
What if I don’t feel close to God some days?
Feelings change, but faithfulness matters. Even on days when you don’t feel close, choosing to seek God still draws you nearer.
Can I draw near to God without a routine?
Yes, but consistency helps. Simple daily rhythms make it easier to remain intentional in your walk with God.
How long does it take to grow closer to God?
Growing closer to God is a lifelong journey. Each small, daily step compounds over time.
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