Last year, as I was emerging from a difficult season, I faced a growing feeling that God was somehow becoming distant from me—inching steadily away as I recovered from those months of hardship. This sensation was unexpected; I hadn’t anticipated finding my footing on solid ground only for my relationship with God to take a blow.
As time went on, I felt as if I was being carried out to sea on a lonely tide, farther and farther away from the warmth and security of His bright shore—away from the inexplicable comfort that had swaddled me even while I suffered. Somehow—in this new season of answered prayers—my connection with God seemed to be weaker. Out of sync. Like some new barrier had come between me and the Shepherd who had led me so lovingly through the dark.
And though I knew that He hadn’t truly left me, it seemed as if He’d taken a step back. Where are you, Lord? I wondered. And why are You ignoring me?
All kinds of irrational thoughts littered my head—chief among them: Has God grown tired of me?
But as I reflected on my recent season of hardship, I realized a marked difference in my days. Mornings that were once dutifully spent in Scripture and prayer now found other things—life’s “busy work”—occupying that time. Checking emails, replying to text messages, getting ready for work earlier to avoid traffic (a lost cause in Houston, I should know). My daily walk was no longer spent talking to God, but listening to a podcast or audiobook. My evening Bible study was starting to feel stale, like the final box to check off of my daily to-do list.
I understood, then, that God was not responsible for the chasm I felt between us. I was the one who let the spark grow dim.
And though our relationship with God is not defined by our feelings—my perception of a barrier between me and God did not mean there actually was one—feeling distant from Him can be discouraging. Perhaps you have encountered a season where God just felt…far. Maybe this is where you find yourself today.
But take heart: God’s Word promises that if we draw near to Him, He will respond in kind (James 4:8–10).
What Does It Mean to Draw Near to God?
“Drawing near to God” might sound vague on its face—after all, it’s not the same as merely “getting closer” to a physical object. But there’s no magic formula or secret path that will put us in proximity to Him; rather, drawing near to God simply means seeking Him wholeheartedly—it involves intentional time set aside to commune with Him, to dwell in His presence. It means making Him a priority by setting rhythms for prayer, worship, and repentance.
Remember: it’s not as if God is closer to us at certain times and further at others; God Himself does not change. He is always close by, ready to hear our prayers and meet us with His unending mercy. “‘Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of Armies” (Malachi 3:7).
Come to God in Prayer and by Reading the Bible
Though every season of life looks different for each person—and there is certainly no “right” way to grow in your walk with Christ—prayer and devoted time in God’s Word are two practical ways of drawing near to God that are necessary for every Christian. These are the ways in which we most intimately get to know God and His character. We can’t grow our relationship with someone we never spend time with.
It is in God’s Word that His character is most clearly revealed to us, and it is often through Scripture that God encourages us, comforts us, and teaches us. Staying connected to God’s Word is vital for our spiritual health, but this practice may look different from season to season.
Personally, I started slow: listening to a Bible in a Year podcast every morning while getting ready for work or on my commutes to the office. Starting my morning with God’s Word set the right tone for the rest of the day, and made it more likely that I would seek God in prayer and spend more time in Scripture later. Bible studies can also be a great resource if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the thought of reading the Bible or aren’t sure where to start.
Prayer is another essential element of our relationship with the Lord. When we pray, we are given the privilege of direct communication with God. This is a precious gift, but one we often fail to take advantage of. We may feel uncomfortable or awkward in our prayers, unsure of the words we “should” say or the posture we “should” take. We may feel too broken or stained by sin to approach the King of all creation. But God delights in our prayers—He wants to hear from us! No matter how imperfect, messy, or emotional our prayers may be. Consider Hebrews 4:16, which urges us to “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”
But if coming to God’s throne “with boldness” feels easier said than done, consider incorporating other prayer tools into your time with God. Liturgies, for example, can offer guided prayers for those moments when you simply don’t know what to say or how to express your emotions in words. (Check out our new liturgy book, Draw Near to God, for a wealth of liturgies and personal prayers that will help guide your communion with the Lord.)
Alternatively, you may choose to use a prayer journal, pray through a certain passage of Scripture (like a psalm), or use the Lord’s Prayer as a model for your own. Ultimately, what is most important is not the method by which we pray, but that we are praying—coming to God with a repentant and humble heart, bringing Him all our cares, knowing that He cares deeply for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Come with a heart of repentance
Repentance, though a vital element of our prayer lives, can often feel uncomfortable as it reflects our own sin back to us. But we mustn’t shy away from repentance when we pray. Rather than condemning or shaming us, repentance allows us to be honest with the Lord and receive His sure forgiveness. It is His kindness that draws us to repentance and allows us to be confident in His unending mercy (Romans 2:4).
Come with a humble heart
Prayer in itself is a humbling act, in that it involves a sinful human being acknowledging the ultimate power, authority, and sovereignty of God. We can intentionally adopt a humble heart posture by reminding ourselves of this—of who we are compared to who God is. We depend solely on Him; and He delights in sustaining us. Praise Him that He hears your prayers!
Like any relationship, fellowship with the Lord is not one-sided. God, in His great love, pursues us diligently and faithfully—we are likewise called to pursue Him. No matter what season of life you may find yourself in—be it a season of suffering, joy, uncertainty, or busyness—God is not out of reach. He is not ignoring you; He has not grown tired of you. He is closer than you can know, ready to hear your prayers and uplift you through His Word. James 4:8 reminds us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” Be encouraged by this truth today!
