Practical Things to Do When You Feel Distant from God

Prayer – Take a Moment with God

Prayer is a fundamental part of our relationship with God. When our prayer life is infrequent, we can feel distant from God from a lack of seeking Him. On the other hand, when our prayer life is continual, we are seeking God through every circumstance and growing closer to Him. Jeremiah 29:13 reads, 

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Reflection: Consider your prayer life. How is your consistency? Do you need to set a time for prayer? Or do you need to have more sincere prayers? Prayer doesn’t need to be long and extensive, but consistency is key.

Action: Take a moment with God. Tell God what is on your heart and how you want to feel closer to Him. Ask what you need to do to stop feeling distant. God can show you why you’re distant and what to do about. Take a moment to pray right now; this article can wait. The Lord is always ready to listen to your prayers! 

Bible – Fill Your Mind with Scripture

Just like prayer, our time in the Bible can grow us closer to the Lord. Reading the Bible doesn’t always need to be an in-depth Bible study. Though filling our minds and hearts with God’s Word is beneficial in so many ways. Bible reading is not about checking off a box every day; It’s learning more about who God is and how to live godly lives. The Bible points to Christ and our constant need for a Savior. 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12, ESV

Reflection: Are you in the Bible regularly? Do you take time to memorize Scripture? Bible reading shouldn’t feel like a strict obligation, but a regular privilege. Like your prayer life, be consistent. 

Action: Set a time for you Bible reading. Memorize Scripture that will uplift and guide you for your current season. Seek out verses that remind you to draw near to the Lord. If you have never read through the whole Bible, start now (it doesn’t have to be a new year to start). You will grow closer to God and be blessed by the abundance of God’s love, faithfulness, sovereignty, and grace, and so forth that is evident in the Bible.

Worship – Sing to God from Your Heart

There is something special about praise and worship that draws us closer to the Lord. We are made to worship God. The Lord is so faithful and good to us! He deserves praise and adoration from everything that has breath in it. God is the one and only true God. When we are worshipping the Lord our God, we are directing our eyes on Him above the troubles of this world! 

Like it says in Ephesians 5:19-20, be filled in spirit through,

 “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Reflection: Are you lifting up praise to God? Do you worship God with song? Though praise comes not just through song, there is power in worshipping through music. Praise God for His sovereignty all things!

Action: Turn on worship music that you can sing from your heart. Or sing hymns from a hymnal. It can help you to feel closer to the Lord, since you are fixing your eyes on Him through praise. If you can play an instrument, worship God through melody. (Want to learn an instrument? Voetberg Music Academy has 10% off subscription with “YOUTUBE”.) God loves to hear your songs of worship, no matter if you can sing on key or not!