How to Grow Closer to God: 7 Simple Ways
Have you ever wondered how to grow closer to God, but you are not quite sure where to begin?
Maybe you believe in Jesus and read your Bible, but sometimes God still feels far away. Or perhaps you are a new Christian and want to build a stronger relationship with Him.
Growing closer to God does not require complicated prayers, hours of Bible study every day, or knowing everything about Scripture.
It begins with something much simpler.
You make room for God in your everyday life.
Like any relationship, your relationship with God grows as you spend time with Him, listen to Him, trust Him, and learn to follow Him.
Here are seven simple ways to grow closer to God and strengthen your faith.
What Does It Mean to Grow Closer to God?
Growing closer to God means developing a deeper relationship with Him.
It is more than knowing facts about God.
You can know Bible stories and attend church but still need to grow in your personal walk with Him.
God wants us to know Him.
James 4:8 teaches us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us.
That does not mean God has physically moved away from us. It means we intentionally turn our attention toward Him.
We begin listening to His Word.
We pray.
We trust Him.
We obey what He teaches us.
And little by little, our relationship with Him becomes stronger.
1. Start With Jesus
If you want to know how to grow closer to God, start with Jesus.
Jesus is not simply one part of the Christian faith. He is at the center of it.
John 14:6 teaches us that Jesus is the way to the Father.
That means our relationship with God begins through Jesus Christ.
Spend time learning about Him.
Read what Jesus said.
Look at how He treated people.
Learn why He came, why He died on the cross, and what His resurrection means for us.
The more you understand Jesus, the more you understand the heart of God.
A good place to begin is the Gospel of John.
You do not have to read several chapters at once. Even a short passage can give you something important to think about.
Ask yourself:
- What does this teach me about Jesus?
- What does it teach me about God?
- Is there something here I should change?
- Is there something God wants me to trust Him with?
You are not trying to rush through the Bible.
You are getting to know Jesus.
2. Spend Time Reading God’s Word
We cannot expect to know God well if we never listen to what He has said.
One of the best ways to grow closer to God is to regularly read the Bible.
Psalm 119:105 describes God’s Word as a light for our path.
Think about walking outside in the dark with a flashlight.
The light may not show you everything miles ahead. But it gives you enough light to see your next step.
God’s Word often works that way.
It gives us wisdom for the decisions in front of us.
It corrects us when we are heading in the wrong direction.
It encourages us when we feel discouraged.
And most importantly, it teaches us who God is.
You Don’t Have to Read for Hours
Some people give up on Bible reading because they set a goal that is too difficult to maintain.
Start small.
Read for ten or fifteen minutes.
You could even begin with five verses and spend time thinking about them.
It is better to understand a short passage than to rush through several chapters without remembering anything.
If you are just getting started, my Bible Study for Beginners guide can help you learn a simple way to read and understand Scripture.
3. Talk to God Through Prayer
Prayer is another important part of learning how to grow closer to God.
But prayer sometimes sounds more complicated than it really is.
Prayer is simply talking to God.
You do not need impressive words.
You do not need to sound like a preacher.
You can speak honestly.
Tell God when you are thankful.
Tell Him when you are worried.
Ask Him for wisdom.
Ask for forgiveness when you have done something wrong.
Pray for other people.
And sometimes, simply spend a few quiet minutes with Him.
Philippians 4:6 teaches believers to bring their concerns to God in prayer.
God already knows what is happening in your life, but He still wants you to come to Him.
Your Prayer Can Be Simple
You could pray:
“Father, thank You for this day. Help me understand Your Word. Give me wisdom for the things I have to deal with today. Help me follow Jesus and make choices that please You. Amen.”
There is nothing fancy about that prayer.
It is simply an honest conversation with God.
And that is a good place to begin.
4. Put What You Learn Into Practice
Reading the Bible is important.
But God does not want us only to collect information.
He wants His Word to change how we live.
James 1:22 warns us not to simply hear God’s Word but to do what it says.
For example, if you read about forgiveness, ask yourself whether there is someone you need to forgive.
If you read about patience, think about how you respond when someone irritates you.
If you read about kindness, look for someone you can encourage.
If Scripture warns against gossip, be careful about the conversations you join.
This is where faith becomes part of everyday life.
Following Jesus happens at home, at work, at school, at the shops, in our relationships, and in the way we treat other people.
Small acts of obedience matter.
The more you put God’s Word into practice, the more your faith becomes real in your daily life.
5. Make Worship and Thankfulness Part of Your Day
Worship is not limited to singing songs at church.
Worship is about recognizing who God is and giving Him the honor He deserves.
You can worship God through prayer.
You can worship Him through music.
You can thank Him while driving.
You can praise Him while doing ordinary things around the house.
You can simply stop for a moment and say, “Lord, thank You for being with me today.”
Thankfulness can also change where we place our attention.
It is easy to spend most of our time thinking about what has gone wrong.
But when we deliberately thank God, we begin noticing His goodness as well.
Try thinking of three things you can thank God for each day.
They do not have to be big things.
You might thank Him for food, a safe home, a friend, a beautiful morning, an answered prayer, or simply another day of life.
A thankful heart helps turn our attention back toward God.
6. Stay Connected With Other Christians
Your relationship with God is personal, but Christianity was never meant to be lived completely alone.
Hebrews 10:24-25 teaches Christians about the importance of meeting together and encouraging each other.
A healthy church can help you:
- learn more about Scripture
- worship with other believers
- receive encouragement
- ask questions
- pray with others
- serve people
- develop Christian friendships
No church is perfect because churches are made up of imperfect people.
But Christian fellowship still matters.
We need people who can encourage us when our faith feels weak.
We also need opportunities to encourage others.
Sometimes someone else will notice God’s work in your life before you do.
7. Include God in Your Everyday Life
Growing closer to God does not only happen during a set Bible study time.
You can include Him throughout your day.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages believers to continue in prayer.
That does not mean we have to sit somewhere praying every minute of the day.
It means we can keep turning our hearts toward God.
You can pray while driving.
You can ask God for patience before a difficult conversation.
You can thank Him when something goes well.
You can ask for wisdom before making a decision.
You can talk to Him when you feel discouraged.
You can remember a Bible verse while going about your normal routine.
God does not belong in one small section of your day marked “Bible time.”
He wants to be part of your whole life.
What If I Don’t Feel Close to God?
This is important.
Your feelings will change.
Some days you may feel very close to God.
Other days you may pray and feel nothing unusual at all.
Do not measure your entire relationship with God by your emotions.
Faith is not based only on what we feel.
We continue trusting God’s Word even when our feelings are quiet.
There may also be times when we need to examine our lives.
Have we stopped praying?
Have we stopped reading Scripture?
Is there something God has told us to change that we keep ignoring?
Are other things taking up all our attention?
These are useful questions to ask.
But do not turn your Christian life into a constant search for a particular feeling.
Keep seeking God.
Keep praying.
Keep reading His Word.
Keep following Jesus.
A strong relationship is built over time.
Try This Simple Daily Routine With God
If you are unsure where to start, keep it simple.
Morning
Thank God for another day.
Read a short Bible passage.
Ask God to help you understand it.
Choose one thought or verse to remember during the day.
During the Day
Talk to God as things happen.
Ask for wisdom when you need it.
Thank Him when something goes well.
Pray for someone when they come to mind.
Evening
Think back over your day.
What are you thankful for?
Was there something you handled well?
Was there something you need to ask God to forgive?
Is there something you need His help with tomorrow?
Then give the day back to God and rest.
It does not need to take hours.
Consistency matters more than creating a complicated routine you cannot maintain.
Growing Closer to God Takes Time
Do not become discouraged if you do not see dramatic changes overnight.
Christian growth usually happens one step at a time.
Think about a tree.
You do not plant it today and expect a full-grown tree tomorrow.
It needs water.
It needs light.
It needs time.
Our faith grows in a similar way.
We continue reading God’s Word.
We pray.
We worship.
We obey.
We learn.
We make mistakes.
We ask for forgiveness.
Then we get up and keep following Jesus.
Over time, you may look back and realize God has changed you more than you noticed along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Get Closer to God Every Day?
Spend regular time reading the Bible, pray honestly, worship God, obey what Scripture teaches, and include God in your daily decisions. You do not need a complicated routine. Start small and be consistent.
What Bible Verse Helps Us Grow Closer to God?
James 4:8 is a good place to start because it teaches us to draw near to God. John 15 is also helpful because Jesus teaches His followers about remaining connected to Him.
Can I Grow Closer to God If I Am a New Christian?
Yes. Every Christian has to begin somewhere. Start by learning about Jesus, reading the Bible, praying, and connecting with other Christians. Do not worry about knowing everything immediately.
What Should I Read in the Bible to Get Closer to God?
The Gospel of John is a good starting point because it focuses strongly on who Jesus is. Psalms can help you learn about prayer and worship, while Proverbs gives practical wisdom for everyday life.
Final Thoughts: Take One Step Toward God Today
Learning how to grow closer to God does not have to be complicated.
Start with Jesus.
Read God’s Word.
Talk to God honestly.
Put what you learn into practice.
Worship Him.
Spend time with other believers.
And include God in your everyday life.
Most importantly, do not think you have to become a perfect Christian before God will accept you.
We all need His grace.
We all keep learning.
We all keep growing.
Take one step today.
Open your Bible.
Read a short passage.
Talk to God.
Then take another step tomorrow.
That is how a relationship grows.
And that is how we keep walking the road with God.
If you are new to reading Scripture, read my Bible Study for Beginners guide next. It will show you a simple way to begin studying God’s Word without feeling overwhelmed.
And if you need encouragement about God’s grace and what He can do with a life surrendered to Him, you can also receive my free book, Shaped by Grace: One Woman’s Journey from Brokenness to Hope in Christ.
Blessings,
Elke
Kingdom Roads