Grow Closer to God: 15 Practical Ways to Deepen Your Relationship With Him
Shortly after daybreak, I step outside and let the warm summer rain wash over me. Being in nature always feels like an invitation to grow closer to God.
The water streams down my brow in tiny rivulets, and I amble down the muddy road. The cacophony of water falling on the canopy overhead drowns out every other noise. The songbirds, insects, and tree frogs are all silent.
Most likely, they are hidden away in their forest homes—hunkered down and waiting for the sun to emerge.
I think of my family back at the cabin. They’re probably playing board games and eating pancakes. Like the animals, they’re waiting out the deluge.
As for me, I’m thankful to be immersed in this wet and wonderfully wild world—thankful for the rawness of this moment.
It feels honest, uninhibited. I feel closer to God and more authentically myself than I’ve felt for far too long.
I walk in the rain for over an hour, and when I’m drenched to the core—on the verge of being chilled—I return to the cabin and the noise and the energy of my family. My walk felt like a prayer, an invitation to get closer to God, and I return feeling replenished and deeply connected to him.
Practical Ways to Grow Closer to God
In some inexplicable way, I often sense God’s pursuit when I walk in the rain.
God is pursuing you today as well. He is inviting you closer and wants to reveal himself to you. You don’t have to walk in a rainstorm to grow closer to God.
Let’s make this practical and explore 15 ways to connect with him. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God.
15 Ways to Grow Closer to God
1. At the end of each day, name three places where you saw God move.
God is present in your hard conversations, your long days of living in the difficult parts of your calling, and your isolated seasons of grief.
He reveals himself in gentle sunrises, welcoming smiles from strangers, and blog posts from women who live thousands of miles from your quiet little corner of the world.
Here’s your challenge: For the next seven days, at the end of each day, name three places where you saw God. You might be surprised by the way this practice awakens you to God’s presence.
2. Grow closer to God by pairing one daily task with worship and prayer.
Years ago, I decided that instead of dreading the task of folding laundry, I’d turn it into an opportunity to connect with God. Instead of heading to the laundry room and complaining about the monotony of the task, I’d talk to God and worship him while I folded clothes and towels.
Over time, my heart changed when I paired this task with worship and prayer.
What task could you pair with worship? Imagine the shift that might take place if you learned to pray and worship while you worked out, cleaned your house, washed dishes, or cooked.
3. Grow closer to God by asking him to search your heart daily.
If we want transformation in our lives, we need God’s help to show us where we have fallen short. Without condemnation, he will gently show us where we have sinned.
To get closer to God, start a habit of confessing your sins to God at the of each day. My prayers of confession often include the words of King David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:13-14).
After praying these words, pause to notice what thoughts come to mind.
Do you recall a misspoken word to a friend or loved one from some point in your day?
An attitude that was filled with bitterness, envy, or ingratitude?
A moment when you snapped at your kids or a pattern of turning to something other than God for comfort?
Confess this sin and ask God to help you turn away from it and turn to him instead.
4. Sit by a window and rest with God daily.
Rest with God as you watch birds at the feeder, robins on the lawn, or clouds passing overhead. Marvel at the goodness of our Maker.
Resting in God’s presence—with no agenda other than enjoying him—creates space to receive his love and affirmation. This practice is deeply restorative and grounding amid our busy lives.
5. Aim to embrace a sacramental mindset.
Most of us think of the Lord’s Supper or baptism when we think of sacraments. We have never considered embracing this same mindset in all of our moments. We can be aware of God’s presence and also mindful of the physical objects in front of us.
In this way, we become aware that God’s presence is always near, even as we undertake the most routine tasks throughout our days.
Here’s what this sacramental mindset looks like for me (and it is helping me with living in the presence of God):
I am beginning to actually taste the flavors of the food I eat instead of inhaling the calories for nutrition or to fill an emotional void.
I’m slowing down, refusing to rush through my days as much as possible.
I often imagine Jesus sitting with me, and I simply enjoy his presence.
I’m also learning to talk to God and give thanks as I complete the housework that fills my days. I complete these tasks slowly and thoughtfully, allowing God to speak to my heart in the process.
In these moments, I thank God for the gifts of food, running water, and a warm home.
(For more on a sacramental mindset, join me here.)
6. Connect with God through movement.
Some people connect with God most easily through movement.
I’ve always felt deeply connected to God—and free to talk through my cares and concerns—while running. The silence of the open road offers space to sort through thoughts and pray. I return home feeling deeply connected to the Lord.
You might take a bike ride, go for a swim, dig out the kayak, or go for a hike. Talk to God while you move your body. You are caring for his temple, and this honors him.
Grow Closer to God Through Traditional Disciplines of Reading, Prayer, and Worship
7. Read a Psalm every day.
God’s Word renews our minds. If you’re not sure where to start, the book of Psalms is a good starting point.
Read just one Psalm per day, ask God to minister to you through his Word, and wait in expectation for him to work in your heart.
8. Connect with God by worshiping with music.
Playing worship music in our homes, workplaces, and cars can change the atmosphere around us almost immediately.
We can move beyond merely listening to worship music and engage in worship by allowing the songs to lead us into adoration. Worship is the act of offering adoration, and it always aligns us with God’s heart of love.
I try to set aside a few minutes to worship God in song daily. Turning on a playlist, I close my eyes and quietly sing along, thanking the One who is still on his throne even when my life feels chaotic and uncertain.
9. Begin the habit of reading a daily devotional book each morning.
Daily devotionals can help us apply the Bible to our lives. For this reason, I regularly read from daily devotional books.
I invite you to check out my free 31-day devotional to get started. You can get it for free with promo code JESUS.
10. Commit to reading through your whole Bible.
I mentioned reading one Psalm per day. Once you’ve finished Psalms, I suggest reading through your entire Bible. This can feel daunting, but by reading just a few chapters per day for about 10 minutes each day, you can read through the entire Bible in a year.
Reading through the Bible nourishes our souls in deep ways that seem unnoticeable at first glance. Yet as we read, we get to know God in deeper ways. His Word changes the way we think and the way we see our lives. This is the process of renewing our minds.
Reading through the Bible nourishes our souls in deep ways that seem unnoticeable at first glance. Yet as we read, we get to know God in deeper ways. #faith #prayer #God Share on X11. Pray in a way that feels life-giving to you.
God wants your prayer life to be a source of strength and life. I invite you to click here for a free prayer guide filled with creative and life-giving ways to pursue God in prayer.
12. Write your prayers.
I often write my prayers in a journal. This helps me stay focused while I pray. It also helps me keep a record of my requests and longings.
Writing our prayers helps us keep track of our requests. We can look back later and feel encouraged by the ways God answered.
13. Read books that stir your longing for the Lord.
Here are two of my favorite authors: Winn Collier (Let God is a fantastic and life-changing book), and Ruth Haley Barton (Sacred Rhythms, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, and Invitation to Retreat).
Talk to friends. Ask what they’re reading. Search online for authors and subjects that stir your faith.
Seek the Lord With Others
14. Plug into a like-minded community.
I’ve written about this countless times, and I will continue writing about it: We heal and grow through relationships with others.
Some of us (myself included) are naturally inclined toward solitude and introversion. Yet God uses other people to sharpen us, speak truth into our lives, and help us grow.
We connect with God in deeper ways by staying connected with others. Join a Bible study or Christian group. We grow in faith by pursuing him with like-minded believers.
15. Pursue God by worshiping him with others.
It’s easy to fall out of the pattern of worshiping God with others in a church setting. If you have fallen out of the pattern, don’t shame yourself.
God waits for you with open arms. Return to church, even if it means trying a different church. God is pleased when we seek him together (see Hebrews 10:25). He uses this time to help us grow, teach us to be selfless, and lead us into opportunities for serving others.
Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Calling All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Find Peace in God’s Presence
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
