Having a Connected Relationship with God

What does it mean to have a connected relationship with God? How can we not just walk through the motions, but connect on a relational level with the God who created and sustains the universe and all that is in it? How can we as Christians feel that connection and relationship? And what do we do when we cannot feel that connection?  

To be “connected” is defined as being united, joined, or linked, while “relationship” is defined as a connection. So, a connected relationship with God is a form of uniting oneself with God. We are united with God when we come to saving faith, as the Holy Spirit comes and indwells in us. Below are some passages that talk about God living inside of us.  

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20)  

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)  

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)   

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Romans 8:9)   

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  

We become united - “connected” - with God when we accept Jesus as our savior. Salvation comes from faith that God raised Jesus from the dead and a confession of a personal need for a savior (verse). But sometimes as Christians we can struggle to feel that connection. We can go through times where it feels like God is silent, distant, or like our spiritual walk somehow got onto a treadmill – walking but going nowhere. It can be difficult to remember that God is with us in these times. But Scripture reminds us that “He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5) So, what do we do when we feel distant from God?  

Finding Biblical Truth 

One thing we can do when trying to feel that connection with God is we can read our Bibles. Bible reading is an incredibly intimate and personal part of our relationship with God. Because of this, it is important to have time alone to read the Bible.  

Bible reading can look different for different people. When, where, and how are up to the individual’s preferences and personal needs. Morning or evening? Inside or outside? Highlighting and taking notes or prayer and still contemplation? It all depends on the person.  

I prefer to read my Bible in the mornings with breakfast. I like to be inside, but close to a window so that I can see the trees and the weather. I like to use a study Bible, follow cross references, and look at the original Greek from time to time. But this is all because of my personal preferences and needs. If I do not read my Bible first thing in the morning, then I will forget and not read it that day. I like being indoors. I get cold easily in the winter and I fear the bees in the summer. Breakfast is an easy time for me to remember, so I can have my habit and not forget my Bible reading. It is important to find what place at what time works best.  

Reading the Bible alone with God requires intentionality and thought. We must ask good questions such as: Where do I feel comfortable? How do I focus? What is a good time for me to make a habit of reading my Bible? Do I highlight? Journal? Use a study Bible? Bible reading really is up to personal preference. The only recommendation that I make is to use a paper Bible. I have found that Bibles on a phone, tablet, or laptop can easily distract or add temptations to check texts, emails, social media, etc. A paper Bible lessens the distraction and temptation.  

Prayer 

Another way to feel connected to God is through prayer. We have direct access to talk to the God of the universe. It can be far too easy to forget that at times. Prayer is incredibly important, as it is our way of talking to God.  

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44)  

“Pray, then, in this way: 

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread. 

‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen]” (Matthew 6:9-13)  

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him” (Matthew 7:7-11)  

“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22)  

“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you” (Mark 11:24)  

“But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray” (Luke 5:16)  

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27)  

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7)  

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2)  

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)  

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16)  

Even Jesus needed to get away and pray. Prayer is our way of talking to God. We can thank Him for the many blessings in our lives, we can ask for forgiveness and confess our sins to Him, and we can tell Him the things that we want – surrendering our desires to Him. We can thank Him for blessings and ask for healing. Prayer could be sitting, standing, walking in nature, pacing around the house, or even when driving in the car. Growing up in the church, I thought that I had to close my eyes and hold my hands to pray. But that is simply not the case. Prayer can be anywhere, anytime, doing anything so lost as it does not distract from the prayer.  

Fellowship 

A third way to feel closer to God is through fellowship with other believers. God indwells every believer, and fellowship with believers allows us to see God working in their lives. We can see God inside of others. Fellowship with a church group, a home group, a group of believing friends, etc. Hebrews 10:24-25 says “. . . let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” 1 John 1:7 mentions “. . . if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” We, as Christians, are called to keep unity and peace with one another. We are told to meet with one another to help encourage one another in faith, love, and good deeds.  

I make an intentional effort to go to my church every Sunday so that I can fellowship with other believers. My church offers online streaming, which I have used when I was sick or could not make it that day, but if I can I try to make it to the church physically. As a side note; I am an introvert with social anxiety. But because of that it is even more important for me to spend time with fellow believers. I take elective classes when my church offers them. I go to church events. I have a discipleship group that I can fellowship with and grow in relationships with.  

Fellowship is important and helps build up and encourage one another as believers in Christ. Jesus said “. . . where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst” (Matthew 8:20).  

Learn What Works 

There are many ways to remind ourselves that God is still with us. I keep a paper of verses in my pocket to remind me that God is with me. I keep a wooden cross in my pocket to hold when I am anxious or struggling with pain. I have a necklace and bracelet to remind me that God is with me and will help me. I need physical reminders because I am a visual person who can struggle with connecting with an unseen God.  

It is important to find what works on an individual level and help remind us that God is with us. Ask the questions: How do I connect with God? When do I feel closest to Him? For me, I feel closest to God when I play my ukulele and worship, but I have friends who dislike singing and could not play an instrument to save their life. The important thing is to have time alone with God. Intentionally set aside time with God, time to spend alone with Him and connect with Him.  

While we all go through times of silence, feelings of distance from God, and seasons of spiritual drought, we can recenter ourselves through Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and other ways that help us feel closer to God. We each have a unique walk with God, and need to find how we best can connect with our Lord and Maker.