How to Grow Closer to God: 7 Practical, Biblical Steps

Published 2026-10-20

You grow closer to God the way any relationship grows: by spending time together, listening, talking honestly, and following through. In practice that means regular time in Scripture, honest prayer, moments of stillness, obeying what He shows you, worship, and life with other believers. And it starts with a promise, not a performance.

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

James 4:8

Closeness to God isn't earned by trying harder. It's a gift Jesus opened: through Him "we have access to the Father by one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18). The steps below aren't ways to win God's attention. They're ways to spend time with Someone who already wants to be with you. (If you're not sure you know Him yet, start with what the Gospel is.)

1. Read Scripture to meet a Person

God speaks most clearly through His word. Read a short passage most days, starting with the Gospel of John, and ask: What does this show me about God? What will I do about it? Jesus said, "Remain in me, as I also remain in you" and connected that to letting His words remain in us (John 15:4–7). New to this? See how to read the Bible for the first time.

2. Pray honestly, not perfectly

Prayer is conversation, not performance. The Psalms are full of honest, even raw prayers, and God welcomes them. Tell Him what you're grateful for, what you fear and what you need. Use the Lord's Prayer as a shape if you don't know where to start: how to pray when you don't know what to say.

3. Make room for stillness

"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Elijah heard God not in the wind, earthquake or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11–13). Ten quiet minutes without your phone each day may be the most important change you make. More in how to hear God's voice.

4. Obey the last thing He showed you

Jesus tied closeness to obedience: "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" (John 14:23). Often we feel distant because we're waiting for new direction while ignoring the last thing He said: a call to forgive, apologise, give or speak up. Do that first.

5. Worship, in song and in life

Worship turns our attention from ourselves to God. Sing, even alone. Thank Him specifically. And remember that worship is more than music: Paul calls offering our whole lives to God our "true and proper worship" (Romans 12:1), including your work (faith and work).

6. Don't do it alone

The first believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). Faith grows best with others. Join a healthy local church and a small group, or start one: see how to start a Bible study group and what discipleship is.

7. Serve and share

Many people feel closest to Jesus when they're doing what He did: serving others and sharing good news. Jesus promised His presence to those who go: "surely I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20). Join a local outreach or start small: what evangelism is.

When God feels far away

• It happens to faithful people. David prayed, "How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13), and the same psalm ends in trust.
• Feelings aren't the measure. God's promise is "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5), whether you feel it today or not.
• Check honestly for anything in the way, like unconfessed sin or unforgiveness, but don't go hunting for guilt. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us" (1 John 1:9).
• Keep showing up, and let others pray for you. Dry seasons are often where roots go deepest.

A simple daily rhythm

• Morning, 10–15 minutes: a few minutes of quiet, one short Bible passage, and a prayer about the day ahead.
• During the day: short prayers: "Thank you." "Help." "Show me how to love this person."
• Evening, 5 minutes: look back. Where did you see God today? What do you need to confess or give thanks for?
• Weekly: worship with your church and meet with a small group.