I’d love to start this article off with a super witty phrase or maybe even a snarky comment that gets you laughing and makes you want to keep reading on the topic of how to get closer to god or how to have faith in God.
But I imagine you clicked through to this article because like me, you’ve found yourself in a season of life where you want to focus your energy in a way that allows you to build a relationship with God; to grow close to God and experience a personal relationship with God.
If you feel like you are a mom whose overwhelmed, searching to figure out how to balance life, what to do with your career or let’s be real, you might feel like even though there is so much joy in your life there is sill just a little something missing, this guide is written especially for you.
In order to overcome your insecurities and self-doubt, you know it is time to focus on building a relationship with God through connection with God!
Welcome to the first step in your journey.
I’ve been standing in that exact spot. My own journey led me down a beautiful path of growth and peace as I have drawn close to God and learned what true intimacy with God looks like.
And now it is your turn to feel the growth and peace that comes with building a relationship with God!
How to Start Prayer Journaling
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer” Psalm 45:1
We all have seasons of life that are haaaaard, right?! Well, my most recent difficult season of life came when I was trying to be all things, to all people.
I lost a bit of myself in that journey.
The beauty in that chaos however was being given the idea to start prayer journaling.
This idea came in the most unconventional way (I’ll save that story for another day 😊) but something pulled on my heart and I grabbed an empty notebook that day.
That moment was the beginning of this entire journey with God.
I think the reason people don’t go to prayer journaling very often is it feels overwhelming.
I’m here to assure you, it absolutely doesn’t need to be!
After you finish this article, I want you to go grab yourself a notebook and just start writing in your new prayer journal.
Strengthening your relationship with God can be done in many ways and this is the place I highly recommend starting.
Learn how to prayer journal by checking out these tips.
Pick a verse, a poem or a song lyric and start writing whatever comes to your heart.
If you feel stuck, use my list of 23 encouraging bible verses I think all moms need to know to help get you started.
There is no right or wrong way to prayer journal!
It is one of the most important things I do each and every day.
If you aren’t sure how to find time to do this, learn how I find time to fit it in everyday!
Serve Others
No greater joy than the joy that is found in serving others.
So, most people know about serving meals for the homeless or donating toys during Christmas time.
I’m a firm believer that we can serve someone every day. The world presents us with endless opportunities, all we have to do is look for them!
Here are 10 easy, every day ways to serve others:
- Buy a coffee for a stranger
- Take the time to leave a compliment for the grocery store clerk that had good service
- Mow your neighbor’s lawn
- Color pictures with your children and deliver them to a retirement community nearby
- Go the extra mile to help someone at work
- Do the extra things so your spouse can rest this evening
- Send a handwritten note to someone you haven’t talked to in a while just to brighten their day
- Bake treats to share with a local community group
- Reach out to a friend you know has recently gone through something hard to check in on them
- Leave a note for the mailman-rain, shine or snow deserves a little thanks!
Serving others is not about recognition or thinking you can only serve people if you have money.
Serving others helps us stop being so me-focused all the time. It also helps us build relationships with God’s children and learn to have a servants heart.
Study your Bible Often
As you begin these 5 spiritual tasks to fuel your soul, keep your Bible close by! Learn to draw close to God by spending time in his word.
Bible study is another one of those terms that can feel overwhelming but doesn’t need to be! There are a lot of different Bible study methods, but I say don’t overthink it.
Over thinking tends to lead to not getting started and I don’t want that for you!
If you haven’t been in the routine of regularly studying your bible, it is as simple as starting with a weekly goal.
Once a week grab your Bible and go through this Finding Your Purpose study plan.
Before I found plans like this that were helpful in guiding me through, I would just take 15-20 minutes while the kids napped and start at the beginning of a chapter and read.
Connecting with the Bible more often is a sure fast way for building a relationship with God that is strong!
Chapters such as Ruth that are short or a few pages of Psalms were always my favorite quick reads and I always left feeling better than when I started!
Prayer: The Most Effective Tool You Have
Prayer is something unique to each of us.
As a result, this is another one of those things that you get to decide how it works for you-there is no right or wrong!
For me, I’m one that enjoys quiet prayer time and I find a lot of spiritual connection when I’m listening to some of my favorite hymns.
My great-grandmother was the type that prayed, and prayed, and then prayed some more. Her prayers were always said out loud and her bedtime prayer easily spanned close to 30 minutes.
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter how you choose to pray as long as you are doing it!
I do recommend beginning to incorporate prayer time at the start of your day.
Before you pick up your cell phone or even before you start getting ready. Spend a few minutes of intentional time connecting with the Lord in prayer and you will set your day off in the best way possible!
Know Who is Talking to You
The enemy is strong and never rests.
If you forget every word I’ve written here, please do not forget this:
The enemy is a liar.
His favorite strategy is to use things like fear and self-doubt to win control and to distract you from the beautiful life that God desires for you.
When you find yourself fearful or doubting, I want you to pause where you are standing and say “not today, Devil. Not today”.
Sort of silly, I know. But super effective, trust me!
The enemy is always waiting for our moments of weakness, overwhelm and exhaustion.
In these moments he tries desperately to grab hold of us.
Thankfully, our God is a mighty God and when we rely on His strength, even in our moments of weakness, the enemy stands no chance.
As you work on building a relationship with God, you will notice how much quieter the enemy’s voice becomes.
Listen closely because learning to pay attention to who is guiding your inner voice is such an important spiritual task to fuel your soul.
A lot of power and control of your happiness comes from this skill.
As you start paying attention you will realize any negative feelings, thoughts and concerns are NOT from a place of peace, or from God.
You will gain more peace everyday and the feelings of doubt and fear will be farther and farther in between.
Building a Relationship With God
Now you have all of the information you need to help you get started building a relationship with God!
The changes these 5 spiritual tasks have brought me are priceless and I’m honored to be given this chance to share my journey with you.
If you are finding this still just a little bit overwhelming, start with picking 1 thing to do today!
Pin these helpful reminders so you can refer back as you begin building a relationship with God!
