15 Ways to Connect with God Besides Traditional Prayer

Praying while on our knees is definitely the traditional way believers learn to pray, especially when they’re children. However, prayer does not have to be stationary. Some people pray while walking, biking, or jogging. Others like driving and talking to God. What works best depends on the individual, but the rewards are all the same - connection.

Art, an imitation of life, is another way to connect with God. We know that God is the reason we each have gifts (1 Peter 4:10). If God gave the gift, what better way to honor Him than by using what He blessed us with. We marvel at those who painted chapel ceilings or produced beautiful works of stain-colored glass. We too can create our own works of art. These works can be outwardly religious, interpretations of Jesus, other Bible figures, or we can simply produce art that honors God through the message. Either way, we would be using art as worship.

After we read Scripture, we could easily forget what we learned. Thus, just as we studied in school after taking notes, we should treat Scripture in a similar fashion. We better recall information when we rehearse over and over again. Having Scripture on the bathroom mirror, on the back of a door, or on a board is a nice way to remind yourself of God’s Word whenever you want to recall and in times when you don’t.

Sometimes temptation creeps up, but a well-placed note can change the day.

Church every Sunday morning is a nice and expected way to connect with God. If we want to break up the routine though, we could listen to a sermon online from a church halfway across the world or a local one we’ve considered attending. Pastors across the globe have different styles, and some prioritize various messages over others. Some pastors are topical, others chronological. If there’s a certain topic on your mind, an area where you’ve been seeking God’s guidance, a sermon could potentially deliver some insight.

Fasting from food or a certain activity you’re accustomed to is a sure way to remind yourself of God’s presence. Some people fast at specific times of the year. Others fast whenever they feel led by the Spirit. Whatever the case, fasting encompasses a period of time where you give up something you want to remind yourself of what you need.

Praying at home in the comfort of a bedroom is nice, but if you’re looking to go to new places in your relationship with God, a new location may be advantageous. Try praying to God in the bathroom, in the garage, or at a local park. Solitude is how we connect with God one-on-one, but solitude doesn’t have to automatically mean your bedroom.

Christian movies aren’t exactly known for their gripping characters or narratives. They’re known for the message. If a godly message is what you need to hear in a particular season, or just for the experience, try watching a Christian movie. You may learn something about faith you didn’t know before, have your thoughts challenged, or simply be reaffirmed.

Life takes on a different appearance when we’re focused inwardly on ourselves as opposed to focusing outwardly on others. Personal difficulties shrink in size, and things feel much more manageable. Additionally, when we take on the mindset of a servant, we grow closer to God. He’s called us to love other people. Volunteering is a sure way to accomplish this!

Jesus spoke about prayer saying, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). There’s something empowering about finding God in solitude, away from other people, away from distractions. In solitude, we are able to put our whole focus on God and our relationship with Him.

Just as we take time to hang out one-on-one with lovers or friends, our relationship with God requires the same treatment and more. With a focus on Him, we can be open to receiving His word, and not just His written word, but whatever He is communicating through the Holy Spirit.

God is willing to connect, the question is, are we? If so, let’s find time in our schedules to meet Him today, tomorrow, and every day afterward.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Joao Silas

Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. Check out his short story “Serenity.”

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