A seeker in Nigeria explores prayer

That's a beautiful desire. I'd love to help you explore that.

Can I ask — what does "closer to God" mean to you? Like, what would that look like or feel like in your life?

And have you had any kind of relationship with God before, or is this something new you're exploring?

That's wonderful. Knowing God more deeply is at the heart of faith.

Can I ask — what's your faith background? Have you heard about Jesus before, or come from a particular religious tradition? Understanding where you're coming from will help me share what might be most meaningful for you.

That's great! It's encouraging that you're seeking to know God more deeply. That desire itself is something God honors — the Bible says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13.

Since you're already a Christian, can I ask — what does your relationship with God look like right now? Do you read the Bible, pray, go to church? I'm just trying to understand where you are so I can help you take the next step in growing closer to Him.

That's beautiful — you're doing the core things that help us stay connected to God. It sounds like you have a solid foundation.

So when you say you want to know Him more, what feels like it's missing or what are you hungry for? Is it:

• Understanding the Bible more deeply?
• Experiencing His presence in a more personal way?
• Hearing His voice or guidance more clearly?
• Something else?

What would "more" look like for you?

That's such a deep longing — to not just know about God, but to actually experience Him, to sense His presence in your daily life.

The good news is that God wants that too. Jesus promised, "I am with you always" Matthew 28:20, and "whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them" John 14:21.

Can I ask — have there been moments, even small ones, where you have felt God's presence? Maybe during worship, or prayer, or a quiet moment? Sometimes recognizing where we've already encountered Him helps us become more aware of His presence going forward.

And what do you think might be getting in the way right now of sensing Him more?

That's really meaningful — worship often opens our hearts in a unique way. There's something about praising God that shifts our focus from ourselves to Him, and He meets us there.

Since you've experienced His presence during worship, that's actually a clue about how God connects with you. Some people sense God most in worship, others in nature, others in Scripture or serving others. God designed you uniquely, and He often meets you in the ways that resonate with how He made you.

Here's a thought: what if you brought that same posture of worship — that openness, that focus on God — into other parts of your day? Not just singing, but maybe thanking Him throughout the day, listening for Him in quiet moments, or reading Scripture as if He's speaking directly to you?

Have you ever tried practicing God's presence outside of church — like pausing during the day to acknowledge Him, or keeping a quiet time where you just sit with Him and listen?

That's good — prayer is such a key place where God meets us.

Can I ask, what does your prayer time usually look like? Is it mostly you talking to God — bringing requests, thanking Him — or do you also spend time listening, waiting quietly to see if He might be speaking to your heart?

I ask because sometimes we can make prayer very one-sided, and experiencing God's presence often grows when we also create space to listen. The Bible says, "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalms 46:10. Sometimes in the stillness, we become more aware of Him.

What would it look like for you to add even just a few minutes of quiet listening to your prayer time — not filling the silence with words, but just being present with Him?

That's such an honest question, and you're not alone — a lot of Christians wonder the same thing. We're taught to talk to God, but listening can feel unclear or even awkward at first.

Here's the thing: God speaks, but usually not in an audible voice. More often, He speaks through Scripture, through gentle impressions on your heart, through peace or conviction, through circumstances, or even through other believers. Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27.

A simple way to start practicing listening:

1. Read Scripture slowly — Ask God to speak to you through His Word, then read a short passage (like a Psalm or a chapter from one of the Gospels). Pause on anything that stands out. Ask, "Lord, what are You showing me here?"

2. Sit quietly after praying — After you finish talking to God, just sit for 5 minutes in silence. Don't try to force anything. Just be present. Notice any thoughts, feelings, or impressions that come. Test them against Scripture — God never contradicts His Word.

3. Journal what comes to mind — Sometimes writing helps us notice what God might be saying.

Does that feel like something you could try? Which part might be a good starting point for you?

That's a wise approach — starting small and building the habit is better than trying to do everything at once and getting overwhelmed.

Here's a simple way to begin this week:

Pick one short passage — maybe a Psalm (like Psalm 23 or Psalm 139) or a chapter from the Gospel of John. Read it slowly, and after each verse or two, pause and ask, "Lord, what are You saying to me here?" Notice what stands out.

Add 5 minutes of silence after your regular prayer time. Set a timer if it helps. Just sit quietly. Don't worry if your mind wanders at first — gently bring your focus back to God. You're learning a new skill.

Keep a simple journal nearby — jot down anything that comes to mind during your reading or silence. Even one sentence is enough.

Try this for a few days and see what happens. God honors even our smallest steps toward Him.

If you'd like to go deeper into hearing from God and growing in this practice, there's a helpful resource here:

How does that feel? Doable?

That's wonderful — I'm excited for you. God sees your heart and your desire to know Him more, and He will meet you as you take these steps. Remember, this isn't about perfection; it's about showing up and being open to Him.

As you start this week, here's one thing to keep in mind: some days you might sense God clearly, other days it might feel quiet. That's normal. Keep going. The practice itself — sitting with Him, listening, seeking Him in Scripture — is drawing you closer even when it doesn't "feel" like much is happening.

And know that God is already speaking. Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in" Revelation 3:20. You're opening the door by making space to listen.

I'd love to hear how it goes if you want to check back in. Is there anything else on your heart right now, or any other way I can encourage you as you begin?

Great question — and honestly, there's no "right" amount. It's more about consistency than duration.

Start with 5 minutes. That might feel like a lot at first when you're just sitting in silence, but it's totally manageable. Set a gentle timer so you're not watching the clock.

As it becomes more natural, you can gradually increase it — maybe 10 minutes, then 15. Some people eventually spend much longer, but there's no pressure. Even 5 minutes of truly being present with God is powerful.

The key is making it a regular practice rather than doing it perfectly. Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray Luke 5:16 — sometimes briefly, sometimes all night. Follow His example of seeking solitude with the Father, but in a way that fits your life right now.

Does 5 minutes feel like a good starting point for you?

That's completely normal — it happens to everyone, even people who've been praying for decades. A wandering mind doesn't mean you're doing it wrong or that God isn't present.

Here's the thing: noticing that your mind has wandered is actually part of learning to listen. When you catch yourself thinking about your to-do list or what's for dinner, that moment of awareness is progress. It means you're becoming more attentive.

When it happens, don't get discouraged or feel like you failed. Just gently bring your focus back to God — maybe by saying His name quietly, or taking a slow breath, or remembering a simple truth like "God, You are here with me."

The Bible talks about taking "every thought captive" 2 Corinthians 10:5 — it's a skill we grow in over time, not something that happens instantly.

Think of it like training a muscle. At first it's weak and easily distracted, but the more you practice returning your attention to God, the stronger that focus becomes.

Does that help ease the pressure a bit?