One of the best investments we can make in our lives is fostering strong, healthy relationships with those we love. Unfortunately, the rat race of life often robs us of the time needed to devote and maintain these unions

 

It is vital to implant in our consciousness that there is a creator – a basic awareness of the presence of God in our lives. As it says in the Psalms, “ I have set God before me always”(Psalm16.8). By doing so, we essentially invite Him into our life and we are able to begin developing a relationship with Him. So how do we rejuvenate this relationship with our creator in order to feel His love? There are four major things we can do:

 

• Praying always
• Studying the word of God
• Fasting frequently
• Praise and worship

It is important to note that before one can strengthen his/her relationship with GOD you have to start the relationship. How do we start? By being born again or being saved. Scripture tells us in Romans3.23 that, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;”(KJV) Also, Romans 6.23 tells us that, “For the wages of sin is death , but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We all deserved to die but “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3;16 KJV) How do we get this everlasting life? By being saved.

 

Romans10;9-10 (KJV)

“That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth, unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

 

If you feel the need to be saved and develop a relationship with God, say this prayer:

 

Loving Father,

I thank you for the great provision you made through your son for my salvation. I believe and receive this gift. Come into my heart and be Lord and master of my life.

That is all you need to do

Ephesians 2;8 (KJV) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

Now you have established a relationship with God. Let’s talk about the four things that would strengthen this relationship.

 

Praying always

Prayer can simply be defined as talking to God. The bible admonishes us to pray always. Ephesians 6:18

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit……”(KJV)

Our prayer can be a few words whispered quickly in time of need in places not conducive for prayer like in a meeting at work or during a lecture at school. It can also be a well detailed and planned prayer like the “Lord’s prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13. Start with praise and adoration, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness, ask for your needs and protection from evil and end with affirmation of God’s glory. This does not mean you can never change your pattern of prayer. You can alter it as the spirit leads you and also as your need for the moment demands. Jeremiah 33:3 says:

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

 

Make it a habit to call on the Lord always and He will reveal himself more to you and make you understand life better. It is important to mention that the gift of speaking in tongues is a very essential in enriching our prayer life. The first encounter of people of God with the Holy Spirit leading to the baptism of the Holy Spirit with an outward sign of speaking in tongues is given in Acts 2:1-4. After this encounter other times when there is baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred through the laying of hands by elders of the church or spiritual leaders. Acts 19:1-6

 

However, there are testimonies of Christians who have received the gift of tongues not by laying on of hands but by prayer on their own for the gift. Speaking in tongues helps Christians to pray longer and more passionately. Romans 8:26:

“Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit itself make intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”(KJV)

 

Studying the word of God

Studying the word of God involves reading, meditating and memorizing the word of God. Joshua 1:8 says:

“This book of law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (KJV)

2Timothy 2:15also says:

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV)

It is when we study the word of God that we know what God wants us to do to strengthen our relationship with Him and also what He wants us to do as Christians so we can spend eternity with Him.

 

Joshua1;8 tells us that when we study the word of God and obey or do what it says we have a prosperous life and have good success. The verse in 2Timoty 2:15 teaches us that when we study the word of God we would know how to apply it appropriately.

 

In studying the bible, we can have a detailed study of each book e.g. Joshua or John and memorize the verses that minister to us. The bible can also be studied by researching on topics like , what the bible says about fasting, faith etc. This kind of study would lead you to various verses in different parts of the bible that throw more light on the topic. For such studies on topics a bible concordance is needed to give you the relevant verses.

 

Morning devotions are also one of the ways of studying the word, but for this there is normally limited time because the activities of the day are waiting to be attended to.

 

Learn to study the word of God daily through morning devotions and set time aside during the week to have a detailed study. Let the word be a lamp unto thy feet, and a light unto thy path.. (Psalm119:103 (KJV))

 

Fasting Frequently

Fasting involves abstaining from food and water, or abstaining from food only for a period of time to pray and seek the face of God. It could last from 6.00am – 12.00mid-day, 6.00am to 6.00pm, 2 or three days or as long as one wants to spend time with GOD.

 

Isaiah 58:1-9 tells us the kind of fast that God wants us to do. Verse 8-9 states that after fasting we get closer to God because when we call , God would answer. This does not mean that when we pray without fasting God does not hear us, it only confirms the fact that we become very close to God.

 

Jesus Himself told His disciples in Matthew 17:21 that:

“Howbeit, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting .”(KJV)

 

This verse proves to us that there are certain problems and issues that can only be resolved through prayer and fasting. Any problem in your life that persists and even becomes worse needs fasting and prayer.

 

Praise and Worship

Praise and worship involves singing songs that glorify and adore God. You can also praise and worship God through speaking words that honour and affirm the glory of God.

Psalm 149:5-6 says:

“Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praise of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.”(KJV)

 

Joyce Meyer says, praise defeats the devil quicker than any other battle plan. Praise is an invisible garment that we put on and it protects us from defeat and negativity in our minds. But it must be genuine and heartfelt praise not just lip service or a method being tried to see if it works. We praise God for the promises in His word and for His goodness.

 

Worship is a battle position! As we worship God for who He is and for His attributes, for His ability and might, we draw closer to Him and the enemy is defected.

 

Praise and worship can be done loudly when the environment is condusive or it can be done silently in our hearts when the environment is not favourable. During times when we feel sad or depressed the best thing to do is to praise and worship God. It would lift your spirit and help you get back your will to enjoy life.

 

The Psalms contain good examples of how to praise and worship God. One Psalm can be read and memorized each day to enrich our praise and worship.

 

Make it a habit to praise and worship God early in the morning when you wake up and just before you sleep at night. In the morning you appreciate God for a good night rest and thank Him for guiding and protecting you throughout the day at night.

 

Praise and worship can also be done anytime during the day but try not to disturb other people at work or in school. When fasting, praise and worship is a powerful tool that would lead you into the presence of God and enrich your prayers.

 

Conclusion

After applying the four important things that would strengthen your relationship with God, you would experience the presence of God and feel close to Him.

If you said the prayer in the first part of this booklet to invite Jesus into your heart and establish a relationship with Him, find a bible believing church close by and fellowship with them frequently.

I will like to end with Deuteronomy 10:12-13:

“And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of Jehovah, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good.”(KJV)

 

References

1. The Bible
2. The Stewardship of Time/Bible.org
3. Areal relationship with God by Joyce Meyer
4. The magical power of prayer by Jeremy Simons
5. Four ways to strengthen our relationship with God by Orit Esther Riter.

 

Evangeline Esaaba Folson is a banker by profession who has the desire to reach out to the youth. She fellowships with Harvest Chapel International (Tema C18 Branch). Evangeline is married and has two children.