Do you desire to walk nearer to the Lord? Have you made it your life goal? Today I share 12 Bible verses to help you draw closer to God.
As I shared in my previous post—“One Way to Offer Yourself More Grace and Stop Striving for More,” my spiritual goal for 2023 is to draw closer to Jesus in every waking moment allowing His joy, peace, and grace to permeate my soul while extending the overflow to others. The truth is, I feel the need for more of God this year, a friendship where we laugh and share the moments of the day.
Usually, when unexpected circumstances come my way, I draw closer to God. How about you? However, last year was different. I knew God was near, but I didn’t always feel His closeness and missed Him terribly. Now I know He didn’t move; it was me.
Who moved was it you or God? #closer #faith #God Click To TweetWe can easily allow life to get in the way of growing closer to the Lord. I list a few ideas here that are worth looking at in my post, “Are You Growing Closer in the Most Valuable Relationship.”
After all, we know relationships grow apart when we are not actively taking steps to draw closer. What makes us think our connection with Christ is any different?
He is always near; all we have to do is seek Him. The following verses might help you draw closer to God.
12 Bible Verses to Help You Draw Closer to God
(One for every month)
Draw Closer & Find God
Does it feel like God has forgotten you or is far away? Do you need His comfort, wisdom, kindness, or more? The Lord doesn’t move; He has promised us if we seek Him, we will find Him. Sometimes the distance is because we have moved away from God’s presence.
The Lord promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him. #seek #closer #God #faith Click To Tweet“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14 NIV)
"I love those who love me,and those who seek me find me." (Proverbs 8:17 NIV)
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 ESV)
Draw Closer With Faith
We must have faith to please God. But not, solely a belief that says he exists but one that says—God is good! #faith #Godisgood #closer Click To Tweet“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 ESV)
Draw Closer When Afraid
Fear was rising in David, and he felt cut off from God. He desired to be in a deep relationship with his Lord. This is a beautiful prayer you can say. We can let go of all of our fears and rest in the Lord by putting out trust in Him to protect us.
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8 ESV)
Draw Closer When Weary
Are you in a time of wilderness like David in Psalm 63:1, yearning for something more or lonely for a friend? Remember, God is near; we can seek Him out and He will be found.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.“ (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)
Draw Closer & Rejoice
We can rejoice that we are not alone and God is with His people. We will find true happiness as we desire to be close to God and follow His ways. After all, we belong to the Lord, who delights in us.
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (I Chronicles 16:10-11 ESV)
Draw Closer & Let God Examine Your Life
Sometimes this scripture can be a scary one to pray. However, don’t we want to be right with God, not allowing anything to get in the way of our connection? Will you let God search your heart and determine where sin might lie?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139: 23-24)
Draw Closer To Bear Fruit
Staying close to God is paramount in the life of a Christ follower. With Him, we can do anything. We need that fellowship to discover the joy he has for us and to be fruitful. We need Jesus for our souls to glorify God in all we do.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (John 15:4-5 NIV)
Draw Closer to Know Jesus
Do you want to know Jesus? Paul gave up everything to know Christ. What will you give up to know Jesus more? #Jesus #more #closer Click To Tweet Discover 12 Bible Verses to help you draw closer to God, #closer #God #scripture Click To Tweet
God is Near
The Lord is never out of reach. He has promised over and over again that if we seek Him, we will find Him, but we must do it with our entire heart.
Do you have a favorite Bible Verse to help you draw closer to God? Please share with us in the comments.
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I love these verses Maree. As I grow closer to God, I find myself able to draw near to him right off now during hardship or the unexpected. This is so insightful and encouraging.
I appreciate you sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
That is wonderful that you can draw close to God right away. I hope your weekend is full of joy. Maree
Thank you for this encouraging collection of Bible verses!
Thank you for stopping by. May you draw close to God through His word. Maree
When my husband experienced a great challenge in 2019, when it was over – I missed the closeness I had to our Father during the midst of the battle – the word bereft is fitting. January started out as a stopping and sitting long with Him – it has been liberating. Thank you for sharing these words and scriptures of encouragement. It is, indeed, a season for drawing near.
Maryleigh, I can relate to your experience. There is nothing like walking with God through trials. The closeness that arises is unbelievable and missed when over. I love that January was stopping and sitting long with God for you, and I’m hoping to have a year of that myself. Happy Sunday! Maree
Awww, Maree, these are such beautiful verses. I’ve been praying Jeremiah 29:12-14 for my younger son. And one of these other verses I will begin praying for my older son. I’ll be coming back to this post. You’ve shared verses that I need to meditate on. Thank you, friend.
Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing that you are praying this verse over your younger son. What a great scripture. I rarely pray scripture over others; thank you for the prompt. I might try the same. I would love to know which one you choose to pray for your older son. Blessings, Maree
Zephaniah 3:17! Beautiful post my friend! Thank you for always being such an encouragement to me! 💕
Thank you, Donna, for including Zephaniah 3:17. What a beautiful verse. I’m including it here. You have encouraged me. Blessings, Maree
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
The bible is the only resource where we find ALL that we need for support, encouragement, and love, and EVERYTHING! Thank you for gathering these scriptures together.
Amen, Lynn. The Bible has it all! Thank you for reading and commenting. I always love hearing from you. Maree
Amen Maree! Many of those verses above are among my favourites.
Of course Psalm 23 is an old favourite of mine because I feel I have been living it for many decades & through many seasons in life
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Oh, yes, Palms 23 is a favorite of mine too. Thank you for sharing. Maree
Love this collection of verses – thank you!
Thank you! I’m trying to memorize them, something I’m a little rusty at. Maree