Well, guess what? Knowing God isn't reserved for pastors, theologians, or people who have been Christians for decades. Knowing God is an open invitation—one that God extends to every single person on this earth. He wants to be known. He wants to speak to us, guide us, and reveal his heart to us.
So the real question is: are we actually willing to seek him?
Thankfully, the Bible gives us some basic (and very practical) ways we can get to know him. Let's break them down.
Study the Bible
The Bible is God's written Word. It reveals his character, his heart, his promises, and his will for our lives.
The Bible is called the Word of God because that's exactly what it is—his Word to us. It was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and through it, God reveals who he is, what he's done, and how he wants us to live. Every time you open it, you have a chance to hear from him.
Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:15 that we're to diligently study God's Word so we can present ourselves to him and receive his approval. Studying the Bible isn't a choice if we want to grow spiritually. It's one of the primary ways we come to know God. Joshua 1:8 calls us to meditate on God's Word day and night so we can carefully obey it and prosper in the life he's called us to.
One of the amazing things about the Bible is that it speaks into every aspect of life. Wisdom, healing, guidance, peace, financial principles, marriage, relationships, purpose, God's own character—you'll find the Bible has something to say about all of it. It may not answer every question the way we'd like, but it gives us the wisdom and truth we need to navigate life God's way.
If you're a new believer or just want to get back to reading consistently, choose a Bible translation that's easy for you to understand. Don't be discouraged if you don't grasp everything immediately. The more you read, the more his Word begins to make sense.
A good study Bible can make a big difference too. Study Bibles include notes written by biblical scholars that explain the historical background, cultural context, and meaning behind many passages. They won't replace the Holy Spirit's guidance, but they can help you understand what you're reading more accurately.
Most importantly, create a daily reading routine. Even if you begin with just 10 or 15 minutes a day, consistency matters more than the amount of time.
Pray
Prayer is how we commune with God. It's how we communicate with him, fellowship with him, and build a relationship with him. If you want to draw closer to God, prayer has to become part of your daily life.
Prayer should be as much a part of our daily routine as brushing our teeth or taking a shower. Just as healthy relationships require regular communication, our relationship with God grows as we spend time talking with him.
It's also important to remember that prayer isn't just about us asking God for things. Too many times, we only pray when we need something—a job, money, healing, direction, or a breakthrough. But prayer is so much more than presenting a list of requests.
Spend time thanking God for his goodness. Praise him for who he is. Worship him simply because he is worthy. Tell him about your day, share what's on your heart, and then take time to listen. Prayer is a conversation, not a monologue.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray by addressing God as "Our Father". That simple phrase shows us that prayer is built on relationship between a father (God) and his children (us).
It helps to set a routine time to pray and make it consistent. Whether it's first thing in the morning, on your lunch break, or right before bed, pick a time and stick with it. You don't need a perfect setup or a long list of the "right" words. Consistency is what matters.
The Bible also encourages us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), which means keeping an ongoing conversation with God at all times. Philippians 4:6–7 also reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer with thanksgiving. As we do that, his peace, which surpasses understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Fast
Fasting is another biblical practice that helps us draw closer to God.
Jesus expected his followers to fast, saying in Matthew 6:16, "When you fast..." rather than "If you fast" . We also see in Acts 13 that the early church fasted and prayed together before making important ministry decisions.
That means fasting is expected of us, not optional. It’s meant to be a normal part of a believer's life.
Fasting doesn't do anything for God. Fasting is meant to change us. It disciplines our bodies, our appetites, and our hearts. The time we would normally spend eating becomes time we intentionally devote to prayer, worship, and studying God's Word. Instead of satisfying our physical hunger, we build up a deeper hunger for God. As our focus shifts from food and towards God, we become more aware of his promptings and more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
That's why fasting should always be paired with prayer and Bible study. Simply skipping meals doesn’t cut it. That's just starvation. Spiritual fasting is the intentional combination of abstaining from food while seeking God through prayer, worship, and his Word.
From personal experience, I can say that whenever I combine fasting with prayer and studying the Bible, I feel a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and a deeper awareness of God's presence. The longer periods of fasting have become some of the most meaningful times of my spiritual growth and walk with God.
If you've never fasted before, start gradually. Try skipping breakfast and using that time to pray and read the Bible instead. As you're able, you can extend your fast to include lunch. If you have any medical condition, are pregnant, or have dietary concerns, check with your doctor first before fasting.
Seek God with your whole heart
God makes a unique promise in his Word: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13) God desires to reveal himself to those who sincerely seek him. When we pursue his presence instead of merely pursuing his blessings, our relationship with him begins to deepen. He teaches us his ways, shapes our character, and leads us by his Spirit.
Isaiah 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
That means the more time we spend with God through his Word, prayer, and fasting, the more we begin to recognize his voice and follow his leading.
Honestly, it's hard to practice these disciplines with a sincere heart and remain unchanged! Something shifts in you the more consistent you become—your perspective, your patience, even the way you respond to difficult days.
God delights in drawing near to those who draw near to him. He genuinely longs for us to know him, not just know about him.
So take the first step today. Don't get discouraged if it feels slow at first. Growth in Christ rarely happens overnight. It happens in the small, faithful steps—the mornings you choose to open your Bible instead of your phone, the prayers you whisper on your way to work or school, the meals you skip to seek him instead.
None of it goes unnoticed. God sees every bit of it, and he's faithful to meet you there.
#becomingavessel
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