How to Draw Near to God: Spiritual Disciplines to Develop

ByKirsten Thompson

Drawing near to God is one of the most fulfilling pursuits in the Christian life. While the Bible assures us in James 4:8 that God draws near to those who draw near to Him, the process requires intentionality and practice. We’re going to explore key spiritual disciplines that help foster intimacy with God, deepen your faith, and allow His presence to transform your life.

an open bible with blurred eucalyptus leaves behind it in a vase with the words Draw Near to God: Spiritual Disciplines to Develop

What are Spiritual Disciplines?

You may have heard your pastor or members of your church toss around the term “spiritual disciplines”, and while it does sound like one of those “churchy” terms, it’s actually quite simple to define. A spiritual discipline is simply a repeated action taken by a Christian with the goal of developing their spirituality and helping them get closer to God.

How do you determine what is or is not a spiritual disicpline?

That is a bit harder to answer, but not impossible. I personally don’t think there is a specific list of spiritual disciplines for every believer, but rather many spiritual disciplines are unique to each believer. For example, my husband is an avid hunter, and sitting in a deer stand for hours on end is very spiritual for him. He has told me that He feels very close to God during that time, and He spends a lot of time in prayer while in the deer stand. For me, however, sitting in a deer stand in the cold for hours on end without snacks and blanket sounds like the furthest thing from heaven!

There are several spiritual disciplines that every believer can practice, though, and these are practices modeled by Jesus Himself! We’ll dive in to several of these in this post.

Why Drawing Near to God Matters

Spiritual disciplines are practices that help you draw near to God, but why does that even matter? Isn’t believing in God and being saved enough?

The bottom line is, how can you fully trust God and give your life to Him if you don’t really know Him? Simply believing in God isn’t enough. Jesus Himself told us that even the demons know Him. It’s a bit like a marriage. The longer we are married to someone, the more we know them – their quirks, their dreams, their strengths and weaknesses. We’re able to build a life together that only gets better with time because we have developed a comfort level that only comes with time and closeness. We desire it with our spouses, and once you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit will give you that desire for God as well.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8

Drawing near to God is both a privilege and a discipline that ultimately brings peace, guidance, and spiritual growth.

Consider these questions:

  • Do you feel distant from God?
  • Are you seeking a deeper connection with Him in your daily life?

Key Spiritual Disciplines to Develop in Your Life

Each of the spiritual disciplines we’ll discuss in this post are disciplines that were modeled for us by Jesus in His brief ministry here on earth. As Christians, we are called to be like Christ, and these spiritual disciplines will help us continue striving to that goal.

#1 – Daily Prayer: Building Your Relationship with God

Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently went away to pray to His Father in heaven. He stayed in tune with God’s will by staying in communication with Him, and we are to do the same.

WHY IT MATTERS: Prayer is the cornerstone of communication with God. It’s where we praise Him, confess our sins, seek Godly guidance, and listen for His voice.

HOW TO START: Set aside consistent time for prayer each day, even if it’s just 5-10 minutes to begin with. You can also utilize tools like a prayer journal or structured prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer, to help you stay focused.

HELPFUL TIPS:

  • Create a quiet space free from distractions. Many people create a prayer room in their closet! Your private space might even be in our car.
  • Begin your prayers with gratitude, then move into requests, and end with at least one minute of silence to listen for God to speak.

    # 2 – Bible Reading and Meditation: Hearing God Speak

    Jesus quite literally quoted Old Testament scripture all the time, and we know that God’s Word is both a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105) and a sword (Ephesians 6:17), serving to guide us and protect us.

    WHY IT MATTERS: The Bible is God’s Word and the primary way He reveals Himself to us. Meditating on Scripture transforms our minds and helps us align with His will.

    HOW TO START: Choose a Bible reading plan (e.g., read through the Gospels, Psalms, or Proverbs). Meditate on a single verse or passage daily, asking: “What is God teaching me here?”

    CLICK HERE FOR READING PLANS IN THE SHOP

    HELPFUL TIPS:

    • Highlight key verses and journal your reflections.
    • Memorize verses that resonate with you to carry them throughout your day.
    • Write verses on sticky notes and place them where you’ll see them throughout the day.

    Why & How to Memorize Scripture

    Learn why scripture memorization is so vital to your daily life, and gain practical methods to memorizing scripture more easily. CLICK TO READ.

    #3 – Worship: Praising God with Your Whole Heart

    Jesus spent a lot of his time in synagogues worshiping God, and while His worship looks vastly different than our modern-day worship, it is still a spiritual discipline that was modeled for us to practice.

    WHY IT MATTERS: Worship shifts your focus from earthly concerns to God’s glory, helping you draw closer to His presence.

    HOW TO START: Incorporate worship into your daily routine through music, prayer, or moments of praise. Attend worship services regularly to connect with God in a communal setting.

    HELPFUL TIPS:

    • Make a playlist of worship songs that inspire you.
    • Practice worship as an attitude throughout your day, thanking God in every situation.

    #4 – Fasting: Releasing Distractions and Seeking God’s Presence

    Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that this spiritual discipline is the hardest to practice. Jesus fasted for forty days immediately following His baptism, and while I definitely do not recommend a forty-day fast, fasting is still something we can practice to help us draw near to God.

    WHY IT MATTERS: Fasting creates space to focus on God by temporarily letting go of physical or emotional distractions.

    HOW TO START: Decide what type of fast to do (e.g., food, social media, or entertainment). Pair fasting with prayer and Bible study to deepen your experience.

    HELPFUL TIPS:

    • Begin with a short fast, such as skipping one meal.
    • Use the time you would normally spend eating or scrolling to pray or meditate.

    #5 – Serving Others: Demonstrating God’s Love

    Jesus came as a humble servant, not to be served. (Matthew 20:28). Our time on this earth is not about us, but about what we can do for others. After all, humility is the opposite of pride, and pride is the downfall for many.

    WHY IT MATTERS: Serving is a tangible way to live out your faith and reflect God’s love to the world.

    HOW TO START: Volunteer at your church, join a ministry, or find ways to meet the needs of your community. Incorporate small acts of service into your daily routine (e.g., helping a neighbor, writing an encouraging note).

    HELPFUL TIPS:

    • Ask God to show you where He wants you to serve.
    • Partner with a friend or family member to make serving more consistent.
    • Add service as a consistent event on your calendar.

    #6 – Practicing the Sabbath: Rest for the Soul

    While fasting might be the most difficult for many, I think a lot of struggle with the concept of rest. But Sabbath rest is a gift to us from God, and it is so important that an entire set of Mosaic Laws were constructed about what you can and cannot do on the Sabbath. While our modern Sabbath looks vastly different, taking time to rest in God is something that our soul not only needs, but craves.

    WHY IT MATTERS: Resting teaches us to rely on God and His provision, and helps us better serve those around us.

    HOW TO START: Create your own set of Sabbath boundaries of what you will and will not do during your time of rest. Start with an afternoon and work your way up to a full 24-hour period.

    HELPFUL TIPS:

    • Your Sabbath does not need to take place on Sunday. It can be a different day each week.
    • Consider practicing other spiritual disciplines during your Sabbath.
    • Make it a family affair and get the kids and your spouse involved.

    Barriers and Encouragement

    A word to the wise: the closer you are in your walk with God, the more the enemy will work to detour you from that path. Remember the words of Jesus:

    How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

    Matthew 7:14

    You will be distracted. You will be busy. You will find any excuse to prevent you from practicing spiritual disciplines. And that’s why you pray.

    Spiritual disciplines take patience and time to develop, and God is happy with even the smallest steps in your faith.

    TRY THESE TACTICS:

    • Start small with one spiritual discipline at a time.
    • Schedule your practices and stick to a schedule as much as possible.
    • Bring along a friend for fellowship and accountability.

    Which spiritual discipline will you begin practicing today?

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