If you want to know how to build a relationship with God, this series is for you! We have separated this article into four parts to make sure you get the most out of the articles with plenty of action steps that you can take along the way!
The keys to having a relationship with God is to be honest, live a Christ-like life, and more! This series will give you the right action steps to take so that you can apply the words to your life.
In this article, we will talk about how to grow closer to God by trusting His plan for your life, talking to Him in prayer, serving others, attending church, and fellowshipping with other believers.
You can implement the steps suggested in this article to deepen the relationship you have with God and see success! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and see what we can learn about the Lord and our relationship with Him today!
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How to Build a Relationship with God
1. Trust in God’s plan for your life.
Know that God has a plan for your very existence. In fact, you should rely on it, believing that He knows what’s best and that His plan for your life is better than your own. Trust Him, and let Him lead you along the way.
It’s never easy when we are facing struggles, as we see them as roadblocks, holding us back. However, if you can allow God to have the steering wheel, you will be bountifully and eternally blessed.
Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. He was obeying God without question, even though that was the toughest assignment ever. God not only spared Isaac, but He also gave Abraham many blessings that he probably never imagined possible.
God can do anything for your life because nothing is impossible to Him. Nothing is too tall of an order for our Lord. He is able to do it all; we just have to follow Him with obedience and faith, knowing that however things turn out, it is all part of His plan.
Over and over again in the Bible, we are told not to be afraid because God can be trusted. Do you believe that? Are you allowing Him to lead the way, or do you push for things to go your way? The more you trust Him, the less worry you will have and the closer you will be to Him.
Ask yourself a few questions.
- Do you trust God?
- Do you have faith that His plan is the better way to go?
- Are you living life without worry or fear?
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:11 (NLT)
How to Trust in God’s Plan for Your Life
Consider doing a Bible study on Faith and Provision – one highly recommended by me, having just finished it myself! As you read the Bible, this study will walk you through the many cases when people of the Bible became closer to God, and He provided – time and again.
I grew in my personal relationship with God in this study, as I learned that we must be faithful – when miracles happen, when times are hard, when prayers are answered, and when things seem perfect. God will provide – no matter what, so put your trust in Him.
We cannot lose faith or hope, as God’s Word tells us that He does the unimaginable. Through God, people have been brought back to life. God made it so that we could have eternal life with Him in heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior.
The key here is to keep your faith strong and know that God will provide and does provide for us. He has done it time and time again in the Bible.
Spend time studying the Word of God to learn more about how He has provided for those who are close to God.
In your life, you are bound to have ups and downs regarding your faith. You may have doubts about His plan for your life and His purpose for you, but if you listen, trust, and commit to His way over your own, you will reap many benefits.
Make your relationship with God a priority. You can do this by continually praying throughout the day. Be loyal to His plan for you, and you’ll be blessed.
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. – Psalm 91:2 (NLT)
How to Magnify Your Spiritual Growth by Trusting in God
Here are some key pointers that might help your spiritual growth:
- Have faith in God’s love for you. Trust Him. Remember that He does love you, and you should love God with all your heart.
- He has the power to soften even the hardest hearts, so don’t lose hope if you have developed a relationship with a non-believer. God works in powerful ways and can work through you.
- Show your faith in God by serving and helping others. When you are Christ-like in your actions, you reflect the essence of God. People see there is something different about you and want to know more about it.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 (NLT)
2. Talk to God in prayer.
Prayer is essential, as it is our lifeline to God. In other words, prayer is like a “hotline” to God. To build a good relationship with God, we must pray, communicating our thoughts, concerns, and gratitude.
Relationships are a two-way street; they require talking and listening. We listen for God to speak to us when we meditate, memorize scripture, read the Bible, or study His Word in-depth.
We talk to God when we pray, spilling our hearts out. Be honest with God because He knows what is on your heart. There is no reason to keep things from Him or attempt to tiptoe around subjects because you want to come across a certain way. Talks with God should be honest!
Think about how you would treat a friend. You wouldn’t pretend to be someone you aren’t; rather, if you did, how long could you keep that up and have a real friendship with that person?
What would a relationship be like if you always had to be some kind of person you’re not really like at all? It would be fake, right?
Since you wouldn’t be acting like yourself, you would only be putting on a front. It would be as if that relationship didn’t mean anything at all to you since you were never vulnerable. You never let your guard down.
The opposite is true when we are with the Lord. Bare your soul and be honest about what is going on with you. Be grateful when you talk to the Lord; count your blessings, showing gratitude.
God loves you and wants to know what’s on your heart. Talk to Him all the time – not just during planned moments. Have an ongoing conversation with Him.
Prayer is the link that connects us to God. – A. B. Simpson
How to Talk to God in Prayer
Praying to God does not have to be complex; you can keep it simple.
Be honest; be yourself. Speak from the heart. Be vulnerable with the Lord; pour your heart out. Share your life with Him.
In the Bible, we do learn how to pray from different authors. Jesus advises us to pray the Lord’s prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer can be found in Matthew. Jesus gave us this prayer when He was asked how to pray.
“Pray like this,
Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.
May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
– Matthew 6:9-13 (NLT)
Philippians also has some great instructions for how to pray, as Paul announced what to do when praying when he wrote to this church.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. – Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Additionally, an idea for praying is to use a prayer journal. You can start a prayer journal at any time and write whatever’s on your mind. Treat a prayer journal as a type of diary, allowing the Holy Spirit the chance to imprint whatever’s on your heart to paper.
Another great idea is to memorize the Serenity Prayer, as you can carry it in your heart and mind wherever you go!
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. – Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
More Prayer Resources
You can grab a FREE prayer journal in our shop! We also have a prayer journal planner that is fully equipped to help you organize your prayer life.
If you want to build your own prayer journal, you can purchase a pretty notebook or blank leather journal and find your favorite pen. Then, just write everything out on paper! It’s pretty easy, and if you don’t know what to say, you can always journal verses from the Bible.
For additional assistance with prayer, read our How to Pray Prayer Guide to feel how prayer can benefit your life.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. – 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)
3. Serve others.
We are instructed to be Christ-like in our actions and behaviors. Part of being like Christ is serving others. When we serve others, we earn favor in the sight of the Lord. We bring glory to His name when we reach out to help others.
Two ways to serve others will be discussed. One is through the use of volunteer work, and the other way is by sharing the Gospel with non-believers. Both are part of the Christian life.
Remember, God’s way is not the easy way, but it is the better way. You have a chance to walk this golden road if you glorify Him through your actions!
God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
How to Serve Others
One way that you can serve others is through volunteer work. Did you know that there are numerous benefits to volunteering? It’s true; it can help you live longer, be happier, and have more fun as you build a stronger social life. And those are just a few of the benefits!
Learn how to volunteer or volunteer to one of the many charities listed on Sharing Life and Love. We encourage you to use your God-given talents to help others. Find unique ways to serve the Lord.
You could volunteer at an animal shelter, help the homeless, or just encourage someone close to you with a care package! Think of what Christ would do and how you can make a difference in this world.
Another way to serve others is by spreading the Gospel – the Good News that Christ is our Savior, who died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins! Reach others by telling them this great news. They need to know about their salvation!
Think about how you would feel if things were reversed. You would want to know about possible eternal life and what you should do to have that wonderful gift. Salvation is pretty easy, as our Lord did all the hard work for us!
Share what you know about salvation with others. Spread the news of what the Bible teaches. Explain the stories of the Bible to others – from the Garden of Eden to the Prodigal Son.
Sharing your knowledge of the Bible makes God happy, and the ultimate goal should be to glorify Him! Learn more about how to share your faith, as this is a critical role you have as a Christian.
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and He will repay you! – Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)
4. Attend church.
Being part of God’s church is a privilege. However, according to Gallup News, church attendance has steadily decreased year after year. This could be due to the global pandemic, social media, or just a lack of faith in the American public. You should never give up on church.
Church attendance is critical as it gives us an outlet to praise and worship the Lord, be inspired by encouraging sermons spoken at the pulpit, reignite our spiritual motivation and growth as Christians, and use our spiritual gifts to glorify God.
Going to church regularly also gives us a chance to meet other Christians. Christian fellowship is essential for spiritual growth. If you want to stay on track as a Christian and live a Christ-like life, you’ll want to be around people who will keep you motivated!
Wait; let’s not stop there. According to one health source, some of the benefits of regular church attendance include:
- Lower blood pressure
- Relief from stress
- Improved sleep
- Increased lifespan
- Feeling happier
- Less risk of depression
- A more satisfying sex life
The last one shocked me! Who would have thought you could have better Christian sex by regularly going to church? We’ll need to dive into this subject more in-depth in another article!
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
How to Attend Church
It’s important to belong to a church because of the many reasons listed in the last section. Typically, if you live in a free country, like America, you will not experience religious persecution like you would in another country. In other words, we are fortunate in the United States!
If you’d like to experience the benefits of church attendance, go on a regular basis! If you have difficulty making it to church because of your schedule or time constraints, rearrange things. After all, God should be a priority!
If you have never attended church before, read online about the different denominations or consider a non-denominational church to figure out which one aligns closest to your beliefs. Also, keep in mind which is closest to the Bible’s teaching.
Find a church that not only meets the above criteria, but one that also has plenty of ways for you to grow closer to God. You can do this by attending Bible studies offered by the church, ladies’ or men’s retreats, and praising and worshiping God during church service.
Remember, part of attending a new church is getting involved. Whether it’s in music or a ministry offered by the church, you will want to participate in your new church home. If you don’t, you will not be serving God and getting the most out of the church experience.
If you suffer from social anxiety or shyness, going to church can be a struggle, but hang in there! God will help you through this hurdle, and you will thrive in the church you meant to go to.
Related: Celebrate Recovery – A Place for Your Hurts, Habits, and Hang-Ups
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
5. Fellowship with other believers.
If you’ve been a Christian for some time or if you’ve just begun your spiritual journey, you probably know by now that Christian fellowship is an essential part of your walk with God.
As you build one another up in Christ, you will strengthen your relationship with Him. Not only that, but there are plenty of other benefits to having Christian friends.
Friends bring you joy, love, and encouragement, or they should if you are friends with the right people. You can also find a great deal of accountability and community with spiritual friends – things that can help you grow in your spiritual life.
You also improve your social life when you make friends. Finding like-minded individuals to hang out with is the best way to go, so seek out Christian friends to make sure you are on the right track in your relationship with the Lord.
Since your relationship with God should always be at the forefront of your mind, it is recommended that you search for people to be around you that have the same spiritual goal in life – to one day meet Him in heaven and to glorify Him while here on Earth.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)
How to Fellowship with Other Believers
Making Christian friends as an adult can be a challenge. You can meet people within your church family by going to church events, volunteering in the community, and attending Christ-centered activities like Christian concerts or Celebrate Recovery.
You can also meet new people if you get involved in your church’s children’s ministry if that’s where your talents lie or through a Bible study. Most churches have retreats and Bible studies as part of their ministry for adults.
Here are some articles on spiritual friendships that could prove to be helpful in making and keeping Christian friends:
- How to Make Christian Friends
- How to Create a Spiritual Friendship that Lasts
- How to Strengthen Your Spiritual Friendship
- How to Be a Good, Christian Friend to Others
Now that you’ve made friends, what should you do? How should you best treat them? In the Bible, we are encouraged to forgive our friends when they do us wrong. We are to treat others the way we would want to be treated.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
More Ideas to Strengthen Your Relationship with God
There are some great resources out there to build your relationship with God and keep it on track. Consider trying an online Bible study, starting at a Christ-centered recovery group like Celebrate Recovery, or reading a book that draws you near to God.
If you’ve decided to work on your relationship with God, you might consider memorizing the Bible verses quoted in this article, listening closely for God to speak to you, reading the Bible one book at a time, and talking with God through prayer.
When doing a book Bible study, use the right study Bible and Bible reference books to assist you along the way. By no means do we recommend purchasing a full Bible library in one day, but you could benefit from buying one item at a time, building a great library over time.
Be sure to check out the other parts to this series on how to build a relationship with God, starting with Part One, where you will learn the importance of Bible study, spending time in nature, being Christ-like, reading your Bible on a regular basis, and more!
Part Two of the How to Build a Relationship with God series was another awesome article, as it led you to praise and worship our Lord, listen to God in different ways, spend valuable time in His presence, offer Him thanksgiving for all the blessings He has given you, and much more!
Coming up next is Part Four of the How to Build a Relationship with God series. It will include action steps so that you can obey the Bible, get to know God better, serve God and not this world, continue to honor Him in all you do, and even more!
Recommended Books to Grow Your Relationship with God
Some recommended books you could read that will teach you how to build a relationship with God include:
- Saved by Choice: My Journey out of Religion and Into a Relationship with Jesus by Christina Price will help you learn how to embrace God’s love, discover your identity and calling, worship Him, and best resist the devil every day!
- Spiritual Formation: Forming Your Relationship with God & Transforming Your Relationship with People by Dr. Sam Bruce (2021) will give you the tools to develop an intimate relationship with God and learn life-changing ways to live a better life!
- Falling In Love With Jesus Abandoning Yourself To The Greatest Romance Of Your Life by Dee Brestin shows you how to make your relationship with Jesus phenomenal! She uses humor, songs, real-life stories, and sound Biblical teaching to teach it all!
- Knowing God by J. I. Packer is an award-winning book that will bring you closer to God by teaching you how you know God, the many attributes of God, and the benefits that you can enjoy when you get to know Him better.
- Getting to Know God’s Voice: Discover the Holy Spirit in Your Everyday Life by Jenny Randle is a 31-day book that takes you on a journey to discover greater intimacy with God, teaching you how to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you life, as God speaks to you.
- Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Craig Groeschel, a Pastor and New York Times best-selling author, teaches you to let go of bad habits and embrace new strategies that will transform your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does prayer build our relationship with God?
Prayer is the time when we communicate with God. It’s critical because we pour out our hearts, minds, and souls to Him, trusting that He will do what’s best for our lives. Praying can help build your relationship with God because you’ll get closer to Him the more time you spend together.
How do you know when God is telling you something?
When God is telling you something, you can often “feel” it in your heart. You might feel a nudge in the right direction or a calling for you to complete a certain action. The more you listen to God, the easier it will be to discern what He wants you to do.
What is salvation?
Salvation means that you are saved and will be going to heaven one day. Salvation is only possible through our Lord, Jesus Christ. He died on the cross (a criminal’s death sentence) for the forgiveness of our sins. We are truly blessed forever because of it.
How do you keep God as your number one priority?
Make your relationship with God a priority by praying continually, praising and worshiping Him, and listening for your calling in life. When you make decisions in life, think about what God would have you do or what you should do as a Christian example to others.
How can I experience God every day?
You can experience God on a daily basis by praying to Him, worshiping Him, and living out your life in a worthy manner. When you pray to God, pour your heart out, listen carefully by reading the Word of God, and offer thanksgiving for your many blessings.
Conclusion
While parts one and two of this series prepared you to begin a fabulous relationship with our Maker, this article should take you even further in how to build a relationship with God.
We’ve covered how to trust God’s plan for your life, as we learned that His way is the better way. Also covered was how to talk to God in prayer – our lifeline to our Lord.
Additionally, we went over the value of serving others through volunteer work and by sharing the Gospel, and why and how to attend church and get involved in Christian fellowship.
If you have gained valuable information from this series, we encourage you to share this article on social media and with your friends and family! We are so happy to count you among our valued readers and wish you all the best on your spiritual journey!
Stay tuned for Part Four of this series where you will learn all about obeying the Bible, worshiping God only, understanding our Lord better, and much more! It will be riveting!
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 (ESV)
