How do you stay "connected" to God?

@estherlou (5015)
United States
August 1, 2011 10:49am CST
We all know that we need to read the Bible and spend time in prayer to stay close to God. I go in spurts. I have a set of the Bible on CD's and will listen to those every morning as I get ready for work. And then, I'll let that lapse and start reading a daily devotional. That might last for awhile and I'll lapse again. Then I might pick up my 365 day Bible and read from it several times a week. Praying every day is no problem for me and I listen to Christian radio while at work and during the night as we sleep, so I am hearing parts of the Word in song. It has always been difficult for me to read the Bible regularly. How do you stay "connected"?
3 people like this
8 responses
@GardenGerty (156813)
• United States
1 Aug 11
Church and other worship services are my connectors, along with music. I find that each person who asks for or needs prayer on here or other sites, I stop right then and pray rather than saying I will do it and forgetting.I used to keep a running list and take it to my bedroom before going to bed, to pray for them. Our church is supposed to be trying to read the Bible in 90 days, but I have missed the discussions about it.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
1 Aug 11
I've read through the Bible several times, but to do it in 90 days? That sounds really fast and really difficult! Whew!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (156813)
• United States
1 Aug 11
The way I understand it, it is to be a general overview reading to have us all (whoever participates) on the same page so to speak, then we will start in depth studies.
1 person likes this
• India
2 Feb 12
find a lonely place and devote urself to silence.../
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
3 Feb 12
Years ago, I was able to go on a private religious retreat at least once a year. That time away from "everything" was precious and it was a time of prayer and reflection and personal study. I miss being able to do that.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
7 Aug 11
It is amazing how we struggle with this. I'm sure each and every one of us follow the same pattern as you do. My friend and I had quite a good discussion about it. Sometimes I get so busy in the morning that I pick up my Bible and speed read through a chapter thinking "Hey, at least I read it." So my daily schedule, which I try to keep, is read a chapter, pray (which could continue throughout the day), read a short devotional and listen to Christian music whenever I get down. Sometimes I write my own devos.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45129)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Aug 11
I work in the garden.
@soulist (2985)
• United States
30 Aug 11
I love being in nature even if it is in the garden. I feel so much closer to God when I am around nature. Flower garden or veggie garden?
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45129)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
31 Aug 11
Both, actually.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
1 Aug 11
I guess you wouldn't call me a Devout Christian. I pray every day, but I don't read a daily devotional or anything like that. I try to connect by just talking to him directly instead. I do like to read The Word, and have some favorite verses as well.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 Feb 12
Everyday, i talk to him through my mind.
@soulist (2985)
• United States
30 Aug 11
I stay connected with God with church and staying in contact with my pastor. My church does a lot of different things together and I enjoy going to them and spending time with my church family and feloowshipping together and sharing our pains and struggles and praises for God.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
5 Sep 11
Fellowship with others in our church is a priceless asset. We need that support and encouragement to cope with today's world. And praise and worship feeds our inner self.
@Adval2013 (436)
2 Mar 13
I think about Him everyday and throughout the day. I pray dialy, praising and thanking Him, asking for forgiveness for my offenses and shortcomings and listen to Him and learn from Him through His Word, the bible. I sing praise and worship songs as I play the guitar and speak in tongues. I keep a journal where I write my prayers, prayer requests, general prayers, and answers to prayers. Journaling also includes memory verse, bible reading and message, etc. I lead a carecell where I also lead the praise and worship part with my guitar...and we meet regularly, that's once a week. I attend a regular 1-hour/day prayer meeting. I am a church member and I attend church services regularly, serving in church as communion usher and greeter, aside from having a regular carecell meeting. ...and I am a very busy person...if there's a will, there's a way. If you really want to be close to God, you'll find a way. On the other hand, if the flesh says I can't, then, you'll always have some excuses. We're not perfect, our own personal relationship with God is between us and God alone..He sees our hearts and He will help us if we so desire to be close to Him.