Do you yearn to know the God of the universe deeply? Do you want to know Jesus and communicate with him as a close personal friend?
The process for doing so is simpler than you might think. There is a pathway to intimacy with your Creator. The best first step is with communication. In other words, prayer.
All relationships are built on communication, right? Prayer is simply communicating with God. Anyone can pray; it doesn’t take a special language or a degree from a Bible college. All it takes is a willingness to make the time to talk with God.
Current Series
Discover Hope in the Christmas Story
Learn to experience peace that only Christ can give through the four angel declarations to 'Fear Not.'
Free MP3Listen NowMaybe, though, you have always felt as if God helps other people who are more holy or more kind or more pure than you are. Maybe you view God as hard to please, quicker to say no than to say yes. You keep trying to follow the rules or practice the rituals or join the right religion. If only you could get God to get on your team!
But the path of deep communion with the Father is not about performance. It’s not about keeping rules. It’s not about saying the right words at the right time with the right emphasis. It’s not having all your life in order so that you never mess up and you can say, “Okay, God. Now will You answer my prayer?”
Being close to God is all about understanding who God really is.
See, most of our focus on communication with God is all about us. What we do, or what we don’t do. But communion with God is about Him. Maybe you view God as hard to please, as begrudging you a positive response. But God is eager to bless. He loves you. He is warm and receptive. And for Him, following rules, ritual, or religious performance mean nothing. He sees through all that and looks right into your heart and says, “Come unto Me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will refresh you.”
Remember, He is the God who left the glory of heaven, and took on human flesh to walk for 30 or so years on earth, and then die upon a cross and be raised from the dead. All this was to let you know, “This is what God the Father is like.”
So yes, God wants to bless you and be a companion to you. Here’s what I suggest. When you wake up – before you’ve checked social media or made breakfast or done 30 minutes on your Pelaton – pause for prayer. Remind yourself that “The God of all the universe, He’s my God and He’s with me and He’s powerful to deliver.”
“For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:11-13).
He is waiting. He knows everything that’s going to happen to you today, and He’s waiting for you to say, “Lord, help me.” He knows your heart, your hopes and fears, and He’s waiting for you to say, “Lord, I need You.” He sees your future, and He’s waiting for you to say, “Lord, guide me.”
You are the object of His affection, purchased by the blood of Christ. Talk to Him.
Looking for the pathway to deeper intimacy and communication with God? Use the Pathways to Intimacy study, from Chip Ingram and Living on the Edge.
Written By
Chip Ingram
Founder & Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge
Chip Ingram is the CEO and teaching pastor of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip has a unique ability to communicate truth and challenge people to live out their faith. He is the author of many books, including The Real God, Culture Shock and The Real Heaven. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.
More Articles by Chip