Tips for Cultivating a Relationship with God

Cultivating a relationship with God is not something that happens overnight, nor is it something you can just wish into existence. It is a journey that requires intentionality, highs and lows, and commitment and understanding.

Christianity was never intended to be easy, but the wonderful thing is that you start the journey knowing where you stand with God. God is constant and perfect, unlike human relationships, which are often marred by many dependencies and variables. He loves all people unconditionally and accepts all of us as we are. He meets us where we are.

In the tumultuous world we live in, knowing God intimately is not only rewarding and fulfilling, but it is also comforting. God promises believers eternal life, unconditional love, forgiveness, and peace that surpasses all understanding.

Many people read about the great heroes of the faith in the Bible and wish they had the same kind of relationship with God. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as a father and friend to many. If you are wondering how you, too, can cultivate a deeper relationship with God, here are some practices that you can consider.

Communicate with God regularly

We cannot go on a coffee date with God to vent or catch up, nor can we sit across from Him to ask Him questions or tell Him our deepest thoughts and fears. Unlike our physical human relationships, a relationship with God is spiritual. Thus, it requires that we be disciplined in our attempts to communicate with God.

One key aspect of spiritual discipline is prayer. It is a sacred practice through which you can communicate with God. Through prayer, you can worship and express your thoughts, fears, needs, and desires to Him. Prayer is a fundamental part of Christianity because it is how you can have a dialogue with God. It is through prayer that you can deepen your relationship with God.

Many Christians remember to turn to God in prayer only when they are going through difficult seasons in their lives. Often, God is treated as a go-to when all else fails. Our lives as Christians, however, are meant to be lived in alignment with God’s will and purpose. This requires committing all your daily activities to God for guidance and wisdom.

In case you struggle with what to say to God, remember that Jesus teaches us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) when He was teaching his disciples how to pray. The Lord’s prayer is not lengthy and wordy, but shows us the key elements we should include in our prayers to him.

The Lord’s Prayer contains:

• Worship and adoration of God.
• An acknowledgement of God’s supremacy and will in your life.
• Confession of sins.
• Seeking His wisdom and guidance.
• Thanksgiving.
• Presentation of requests to God.

Some of the most spiritually disciplined people in the Bible who spent significant time in the presence of God include David, Moses, Elijah, Esther, and Jesus Christ. They prayed, fasted, worshipped, and depended fully on God. They spent time asking for his wisdom and guidance. The lives of all these people were not without trouble, but God always came through for them. They had an intimate relationship with Him.

Read and meditate on the Word

John 1:1 (NIV) says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” As Christians, we ought to spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word. Studying the Bible allows us to know who God truly is as it uncovers His true nature, character, and will for our lives.

Jesus Christ taught from the Bible and would often quote scriptures to teach his followers. In Matthew 4, after Jesus had spent time in the wilderness fasting and praying, Satan tried to tempt Him. Jesus skillfully used God’s written word to rebuke Satan. When we know God’s word, we can use it to fight and overcome the spiritual attacks that we may face.

Knowing God’s word allows us as Christians to grow spiritually and confidently in who we are in Him and who He is in our lives. The time we spend knowing God’s word is an investment in our spiritual well-being and growth. Immersing ourselves in the Scriptures reveals to us that we are God’s beloved and that He is unchanging and faithful to those who believe in Him. Knowing this instills us with a profound sense of worth and security.

Our faith is strengthened when we go through challenging times because we are aware that God has not abandoned us. God speaks to us through the Bible. There is no topic or area of life that the Bible does not cover. This makes the Bible a perfect life manual. Instead of running to friends and family first with our issues, we must first hear what God is saying to us through His Word. Reading the Bible is bound to transform and renew your mind.

Reading and meditating on the Word is an important step toward aligning one’s life with God. It is, however, not enough to stop there as you continue on your path to cultivating a relationship with God. Once you have internalized the Scriptures, you need to allow them to transform your mindset. You need to live your life according to God’s word and His will for your life. This means your values, principles, and ethics must emulate what the Bible says.

The fruits of God’s work must be seen through how you live your life and interact with people around you. Your life as a Christian, whether people are watching or not, must be a testament to God’s grace and goodness. His name must be glorified through you.

Fellowship with other believers

Fellowship with other believers is an important part of cultivating a relationship with God and with other Christians. The Bible emphasizes this important aspect of fellowship. Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV, says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

God encourages us to fellowship together because fellowship provides the much-needed mutual encouragement, accountability, and support to put our faith in action. The fellowship that God envisions goes beyond congregating in church. It is the kind where believers care for each other’s well-being.

In Matthew 18:20, NIV, the Bible states that, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” People, by nature, are different. Coming together implies putting aside differences and focusing on one common purpose. This verse speaks to the significance of the collective impact of believers coming together to worship the name of Jesus Christ. It encourages unity in the name of Jesus and highlights how people ought to focus on growing God’s kingdom.

Are you thinking of cultivating a relationship with God?

The most important relationship you can have in your life as a Christian is your relationship with God. God promises us eternal life for the future and an abundant life here and now. The closer you are to God, the more likely you will experience His joy and wholeness; also, you are more likely to live for His purposes and glory.

Once you have given your life to Christ, the next thing is to cultivate and nurture a relationship with Him, to know Him better, and to live according to His word and will. If you find intimacy with God a difficult idea, it may be that there are deeper issues in your spirit from your childhood or past experiences. It is easy to feel like God is far away. Christian counseling can help individuals who are struggling to get closer to God.

If this sounds like you, please reach out to our office. We can connect you with a Christian counselor in California who can support you as you try to grow deeper in your relationship with God. Call our office today at California Christian Counseling to schedule an appointment.