As a Christian, it is natural that you feel very close to God during your daily life, but at certain moments, you cannot feel His presence. In fact, experiences like these can shake faith. Therefore, try to strengthen faith by carrying out spiritual activities consistently and involving yourself in the community of believers.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Worship in Private
Step 1. Set aside time for prayer and devotion each day
When you notice that your faith is starting to waver, you may not have time to find time to read the Bible and pray regularly. However, you will feel closer to God if you are devoted every day even though you are very busy.
- Determine a workable schedule and then do it every day. If you are used to getting up early in the morning, take the time to meditate on God's Word. If you can only sleep late at night, take time to reflect and pray before going to bed.
- When you are devoted, make sure you can concentrate. If possible, do the devotion in a quiet, solitary place. Turn off your phone and television so you can focus.
- Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" explains that God's Word is a life guide for living everyday.
Step 2. Tell God everything you are thinking
You can pray anytime, anywhere, and there is no need to speak formally with your palms together in front of your chest. You will feel closer to God if you pray more often. This step keeps your faith strong, no matter what problems you face.
- For example, pray for gratitude when experiencing a pleasant event, for wisdom when dealing with problems, or for comfort when grieving. If faith starts to waver, make a request to God through prayer, for example, "Lord Jesus, lately I rarely pray and feel far from You. I beg you, strengthen my faith so that I can always feel Your presence in my life."
- Remember that forming new habits takes time. Don't beat yourself up if you haven't been praying regularly. Talk to God every time you remember to pray. Over time, this will become a new routine.
- The relationship with God through prayer is explained in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things express your desires to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving."
Step 3. Read the Bible daily to keep faith strong
When communicating with God, read a scripture verse and meditate on its meaning. Sometimes, you realize how relevant the verse you read is to what happened to you. Scripture verses really strengthen faith when the Word of God can be applied in everyday life.
- You are free to choose the book or passage you want to read, for example starting from the Book of Genesis to the end, reading the Old Testament and New Testament with 1 chapter each, or using a daily devotional book according to the church liturgy. Whichever method you choose, make sure you take the time to understand God's Word.
- To strengthen your faith, read the life stories of important figures in the Bible who have experienced trials of faith, such as Moses, Job, Esther, and Noah.
- Meditate on the verse you just read to understand what it means to you.
Step 4. Ask God for forgiveness if you sin
Sinners are separated from God. If not addressed, this separation can trigger a crisis of faith. However, the relationship with God can be restored according to His words in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, then He is faithful and just so that He will forgive all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness". When praying, confess your sins to God and then ask God to forgive and strengthen you so that you don't sin again.
- Anyone can make mistakes because nobody is perfect! However, one of the goals of being a Christian is to become like Jesus. So, repent by staying away from sin while living your daily life.
- According to the Scriptures, Jesus also exhorts us to forgive those who have wronged us: "And if you stand up to pray, first forgive if there is anything in your heart against anyone, so that your heavenly Father also may forgive your iniquities." (Mark 11:25).
Method 2 of 3: Strengthening Faith
Step 1. Embrace the feelings you experience when you are in God's presence
When you feel separated from God, try to remember what it was like to be close to God. Hold on to this feeling and then pray so that you can feel God's presence again. If you are able to endure when you are experiencing difficulties, your relationship with God will feel more intimate than when you are happy.
- For example, try to remember how you felt when you were baptized or when your prayer was answered.
- Even though God's presence is difficult to feel, the Scriptures remind us that He is always with us, for example Matthew 28:20: "And know that I am with you always, even to the end of the age".
Step 2. Keep a prayer journal to remember God's work in your life
Take a few minutes each day to jot down everything you're praying for, such as something you're grateful for, a problem that's weighing on your mind, your loved ones, and so on. When you're having a hard time, read a journal while remembering that God has granted your request.
- Use a journal to jot down things you want to say when you pray so you don't forget.
- Keeping a gratitude journal will make it easier for you to remember God's goodness. Take time to write something you are grateful for each day. When facing difficulties, reread the list of things you are grateful for and thank God for the blessings you receive.
Step 3. Ask God a question
Having a strong faith all the time is not easy, especially if you see and hear news that makes you doubt the existence of God. Being a Christian doesn't mean you shouldn't ask God about His whereabouts and plans for you. Instead of letting curiosity keep you from God, find the answer by strengthening your faith, discussing with fellow Christians, and reading God's Word.
- As a Christian, you may have heard someone say that God doesn't exist or seen a Christian whose behavior made you want to leave church. Instead of letting it make you doubt, use it as a reminder that everyone needs God's forgiveness and love.
- You may be wondering why God allows good people to suffer. There is no definite answer yet, but questions like these are part of the spiritual life of Christians.
- The Bible encourages Christians to think critically about the teachings or opinions of others according to 1 John 4:1, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many prophets false prophet who has appeared and gone into all the world."
Step 4. Be patient if your faith starts to weaken
Many Christians experience difficulties when they drift away from God, especially when events occur that make them doubt their Christian faith. Take some time to reflect on why you feel distant from God and remember moments that made you feel very close to God. Then, try to restore your relationship with God and draw closer to Him.
Remember that your beliefs don't have to be the same as someone else's. For example, you may believe that the stories in the Bible really happened or consider them a metaphor to guide the steps of Jesus' followers toward the Kingdom of God
Method 3 of 3: Joining a Christian Community
Step 1. Attend worship services to study God's Word
Regular worship at church can refresh and strengthen faith. In addition to meeting fellow Christians, you can hear the pastor or pastor explain how to apply God's Word in your daily life.
If you can't attend church, join online services or listen to sermons on YouTube
Step 2. Interact with Christians inside and outside the church
Christian fellowship is a good reason to attend church services, but there are many other ways, such as gathering in an informal setting to study the Bible and hold prayer meetings. If the participants are more familiar, you can do activities that are not related to the church, such as having a barbecue or drinking coffee together.
- When he meets Christians, he can provide motivation to strengthen your faith or encourage you to continue to worship if you are distancing yourself from God.
- To join an online meeting, search for Christian fellowship through websites or social media.
- The Scriptures suggest this fellowship over and over again, for example in Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us take care of one another that we may encourage one another in love and in good works. Let us not distance ourselves from our worship gatherings, as some are accustomed to do. people, but let us exhort one another and be more active in doing so as the day of the Lord draws near."
Step 3. Volunteer to help others
The right way to show God's love to others is to help people who need help. Join a community that opens up opportunities to help others because this step is useful for strengthening faith.
- Seek information through church administrators about opportunities to participate in social activities, such as distributing food to scavengers or cleaning up a river full of garbage.
- Helping others does not have to be through formal activities. You can share God's love by being a good listener when loved ones are having a hard time.
- Use talents to help others according to the Word of God in 1 Peter 4:10, "Serve one another, according to the gift that each person has as a good steward of God's grace".
Step 4. Ask your spiritual director for advice and pray for you
Connect with a spiritual guide whose attitude makes you feel God's love. If you're having trouble, tell him so he can pray for you and give you wise advice based on personal experience.
