The Short Answer

Growing closer to God is not about earning more of His love by becoming more religious. According to the Bible, Christians grow in their relationship with God by trusting Jesus, listening to God’s Word, praying, turning from sin, obeying what God teaches, and living in fellowship with other believers. These practices do not purchase God’s grace. They are ways believers respond to the grace they have already received in Christ.

Jesus described the Christian life as remaining, or abiding, in Him: “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). Spiritual growth begins with Christ and continues through dependence on Him.

Start With Jesus, Not a Checklist

It is easy to think being close to God means successfully completing a spiritual routine every day. Bible reading, prayer, worship, and church are important, but Christianity is ultimately about knowing God through Jesus Christ. Jesus said eternal life is knowing the Father and the Son He sent (John 17:3).

Ephesians 2:8–10 keeps grace and growth together. Christians are saved by grace through faith, not by works, yet they are also created in Christ for good works. Obedience is therefore a result of God’s grace, not a way to force God to accept us.

If you are still learning what a relationship with God means, read How Can I Know God Personally? for a fuller explanation.

Spend Time in God’s Word

Scripture is one of the main ways Christians learn who God is, what He has done, and how He calls them to live. Psalm 119:105 describes God’s Word as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Second Timothy 3:16–17 says Scripture is useful for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness.

You do not need to read huge sections every day for Bible reading to matter. Read carefully and consistently. Ask what the passage says about God, what it reveals about people, how it connects to Christ and the larger biblical story, and what response it calls for. The goal is not merely to finish chapters but to know God more truthfully and let His Word shape your life.

Pray Honestly and Regularly

Prayer is not a performance for God. Jesus warned against praying simply to impress others (Matthew 6:5–8). He taught His followers to approach God as their Father and to pray about God’s name, His kingdom, daily needs, forgiveness, and temptation (Matthew 6:9–13).

Prayer can include praise, thanksgiving, confession, questions, fear, grief, and requests for help. The Psalms show believers speaking to God with remarkable honesty. If prayer feels awkward, start simply: tell God what you are thankful for, confess where you have sinned, ask for wisdom, and pray through a passage of Scripture.

For more practical help, see How Do I Pray?.

Turn From Sin Instead of Hiding It

Sin damages our fellowship with God, so growing closer to Him includes repentance. First John 1:9 teaches believers to confess their sins and trust God’s faithfulness and forgiveness. Repentance is not pretending we will never fail again. It is honestly agreeing with God about sin and turning back toward Him.

Christians should take sin seriously without believing every failure means God has abandoned them. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Grace gives believers a reason to run toward God in repentance rather than hide from Him in shame.

Obey What You Already Know

Knowing more about the Bible is valuable, but spiritual growth also involves putting truth into practice. Jesus connected love for Him with keeping His commands (John 14:15), and James 1:22 warns against hearing the Word without doing what it says.

That can look very ordinary: forgiving someone, telling the truth, resisting temptation, serving a person who needs help, changing a selfish habit, or making a difficult decision because you believe it honors God. Obedience does not make God owe you anything. It is an expression of trust.

Stay Connected to Other Christians

Christian growth was never designed to happen entirely alone. Hebrews 10:24–25 tells believers to meet together and encourage one another. A healthy local church provides biblical teaching, worship, prayer, friendship, correction, opportunities to serve, and mature Christians from whom you can learn.

No church or Christian community is perfect. The goal is not to find people who never disappoint you, but to become part of a faithful community centered on Christ and Scripture.

What If I Don’t Feel Close to God?

Feeling spiritually close to God can be encouraging, but feelings change. Some days prayer may feel meaningful; on others it may feel dry. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to trust God’s character and promises even when emotions are weak.

If God feels distant, consider whether there is sin to confess, whether community and Scripture could offer support, or whether exhaustion and difficult circumstances are affecting you. The Psalms also show faithful people lamenting God’s apparent distance without assuming they caused it. Then keep returning to Christ. Do not measure God’s faithfulness only by how intense your emotions feel today.

How Long Does Spiritual Growth Take?

Usually, a lifetime. Philippians 1:6 says God will continue the good work He began in believers. Christians can experience major moments of change, but much spiritual maturity develops gradually through repeated trust, repentance, obedience, prayer, and Scripture.

Instead of constantly asking whether you feel dramatically different, look for direction over time. Are you learning to trust Christ more? Do you recognize sin more clearly? Are love, patience, humility, and obedience slowly becoming more evident? Growth may be real even when it feels slower than you want.

A Simple Way to Start This Week

Choose a manageable rhythm rather than creating an enormous plan you will abandon. Read a section from one Gospel each day, pray honestly about what you read, and choose one truth to put into practice. Stay involved with a faithful church and make room for relationships with Christians who will encourage you toward Christ.

If you want a devotional companion for building a consistent daily rhythm, you can see New Morning Mercies on Amazon. Use any devotional alongside Scripture, not as a replacement for it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Closer to God

Can I grow closer to God if I am a new Christian?

Yes. Start by learning about Jesus in the Gospels, speaking to God in prayer, and joining a church where Scripture is taught faithfully. Spiritual maturity develops over time, and you do not have to understand everything at once.

Does missing a day of Bible reading mean God is disappointed in me?

Christians are accepted by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, not by maintaining a perfect routine (Ephesians 2:8–9). If you miss a day, simply begin again. Consistency is helpful, but a schedule is not a measure of God’s love.

What is one practical step I can take today?

Read a short passage from the Gospel of John, ask what it teaches about Jesus, and pray about one thing you learned. Consider sharing your question or insight with a trusted Christian friend.

Next Step

You do not need to become spiritually impressive overnight. Begin with Christ. Open Scripture, pray honestly, confess sin instead of hiding it, obey what God shows you, and stay connected to His people. Jesus’ picture in John 15 is not a branch struggling to manufacture life by itself; it is a branch remaining connected to the vine.

Growing closer to God is therefore less about proving yourself and more about learning, day after day, to remain in Christ and respond faithfully to the grace He has already given.