Come closer, closer to me
Find me broken, find me bleedin’
Cause I need more now than a fairy tale
A god who lives in a book
I need someone real

–John Mark McMillan, Closer

Has your personal time with God (your “quiet time”) ever felt inconsistent or forced?

Have you wondered, “how do I connect with God when life feels rushed and busy?”

Instead of feeling grounded, maybe you feel disconnected. In your prayer time, you’re not quite sure what to do so you’re spiritually scatter shooting: reading random Bible verses or mindlessly thumbing through a book. Feelings of guilt and shame around not being “disciplined enough” surface throughout the day, but you’re not sure what works in this season when your days are full of endless responsibilities and distractions.

Or maybe you’re consistently doing your devotional, but it’s not translating into the daily transformation you hoped it would. You’re showing up each day, reading and praying, but it’s not impacting you like it once did. After following Jesus for nearly 20 years, I’ve been in this place many times.

Even as a foreign missionary or seminary student, I experienced seasons of what felt like forced time with God that created more distance than connection.

On the other hand, wise, experienced veterans in the faith have shown me how to cultivate a vibrant faith. And you know what so much of it comes down to? Intention and a well-planned rhythm.

Planning for the Presence

I learned 2 things about how to remain connected with God in real life:

1. We can plan for time in His presence.
2. We need a consistent pathway that leads to connection and transformation.

Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen.

It’s a bit like working out. Sure, you can just show up to the gym when you feel like it; do some arm workouts one week, leg workouts another, and just mix and match for a year or so. However, you won’t see results if you don’t pay attention to what your body needs and stick to a well-planned program.

Connection as a Partnership

Similarly, as followers of Jesus, we must recognize the partnership we have with God in our spiritual growth. This partnership is outlined in Philippians 2:12-13:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Like any relationship, our connection with the Lord requires intentionality and planning if we desire growth or depth. The challenge is, we are often told to just read our Bibles and pray. Don’t get me wrong, both are CRITICAL. 

The question, however, is HOW?

-How do we pray?

-When we read the holy Scriptures, how to connect with the God who reveals himself in them?

-How do we hear the voice of the Spirit in the gritty real world we occupy?

Daily Listening Prayers

One of our favorite ways to slow down and connect with God is through a consistent routine of conversing with God each morning and evening using a simple framework for prayer. Pair this practice with scripture reading or try it alone for 10 minutes as a quiet moment in prayer:

1. First, reflect and celebrate God’s work in your life and give thanks.
   • Reflect on the blessings in your life – your relationships, God’s provision, even simply your hands and feet, that you woke up this morning – anything that comes to mind for which you can give thanks. See the gifts God’s given you and take time to give thanks. Starting with reflection and celebration allows you to slow down and become aware of God’s work in your life.
2. Consider if you need to forgive someone and consider your shortcomings. Ask for His forgiveness and wisdom to move forward.
   • The world moves so fast these days it’s easy to lack awareness of our own shortcomings and the ways we’ve wronged others or been wronged by others. Taking a few moments to acknowledge these hurts, ask for forgiveness, and choosing to forgive allows you to release the weighty burdens you may not even realize you’re carrying.
3. Take stock of what matters most, reflect on who God is and who He says you are.
   • We’re bombarded with messages throughout the day about who we are and what we should worship. Quieting the noise and recentering your mind on who God is, who He says you are, and what truly matters resets your thoughts and leads to greater peace and clarity.
4. Listen and respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading for how you can love others and make a lasting impact.
   • You were made to connect with God and be a light to the world around you. Take time each day to listen to God by quieting your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight for you what you can obey, do, or say.

Intention and Rhythms

God sometimes feels distant because connection, like in any relationship, requires intentional rhythms. When you create a plan that includes intentional listening prayer with God each day something shifts. Simple rhythms, consistent time, honest conversation. This is how connection is built – not in one dramatic moment but in hundreds of little ones.

Want a resource to help with this?

Connect Daily Journal

We created the Connect Daily Journal to provide you with a planned approach to building your relationship with God in real life through daily listening prayers. This 30-day journal provides pathways to the presence of God so that you can be more fully present with God and discover his reality in yours.

We know how hard it is to make time for connecting with God in a busy week. We also know the JOY that comes from feeling connected to the Lord who wants to transform us “for his good pleasure.” Check it out!