Lesallan
Concordia Theological Seminary
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
Department of Spiritual Formation
Dr. Miriam K. Hart
February 8, 2026
Deepening Our Relationship with God
Lesallan
Concordia Theological Seminary
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
Department of Spiritual Formation
Dr. Miriam K. Hart
February 8, 2026
Abstract
This essay presents a practical, theologically informed approach to deepening an individual’s and a community’s relationship with God. It synthesizes classical spiritual disciplines—prayer, Scripture engagement, corporate worship, service, silence and solitude, and sacramental rhythms—and explains how these practices form habits that orient life toward God. The essay draws on devotional material from The Christian Thing to illustrate how rest, waiting, and steady devotional rhythms support sustained spiritual formation (Lesallan, 2026a; Lesallan, 2026b; Lesallan, 2026c). Common obstacles to growth (busyness, doubt, and isolation) are identified, and a five‑step practical plan for integrating disciplines into daily life is offered. Emphasis is placed on consistency, communal accountability, and reflective evaluation as means to sustain long‑term transformation. The recommendations are adaptable across denominational contexts and intended to help readers move from occasional devotion to enduring intimacy with God.
Deepening Our Relationship with God
Introduction
Deepening a relationship with God is the central aim of Christian discipleship and a lifelong process of formation. Spiritual growth is not primarily the accumulation of religious information but the gradual reorientation of desires, habits, and affections toward God. Historically and pastorally, this reorientation is accomplished through repeated, intentional practices—spiritual disciplines—that cultivate receptivity to God’s presence and shape moral and spiritual character. Contemporary devotional writers emphasize rhythms of rest, waiting, and steady devotion as practical supports for sustained intimacy with God (Lesallan, 2026a; Lesallan, 2026c).
Core Practices for Deepening Relationship with God
Prayer and Conversational Intimacy
Prayer is the primary means by which believers cultivate intimacy with God. A balanced prayer life includes petition, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and contemplative listening; together these forms train the heart to depend on God and to notice God’s activity in daily life. Establishing a consistent time and place for prayer helps form the habit and signals to the body and mind that this is a priority. Devotional resources that model brief, steady prayer rhythms can be especially helpful for those beginning or reestablishing a practice (Lesallan, 2026b).
Scripture Engagement and Reflection
Regular engagement with Scripture anchors spiritual life in God’s revealed word. Practices such as lectio divina, thematic meditation, and Scripture journaling help readers internalize biblical truth and apply it to concrete decisions. Focusing on a single verse or passage over several days can deepen understanding and foster trust in God’s guidance (Lesallan, 2026b). Memorization and reflective writing extend the influence of Scripture beyond the reading time and into daily thought and action.
Worship, Community, and the Practice of Waiting
Corporate worship and participation in a faith community provide formative rhythms—sacraments, preaching, corporate prayer, and mutual encouragement—that sustain individual practice. Community offers accountability, correction, and opportunities to serve, all of which deepen relational trust with God. Devotional reflections that emphasize waiting as an active posture show how patience and attentiveness, practiced both privately and corporately, foster spiritual maturity (Lesallan, 2026c).
Silence, Solitude, and Rest
Silence and solitude create the necessary space to hear God’s voice apart from distraction. Contemplative practices—brief periods of silence, breath prayer, or centering prayer—train attention and reduce reactivity, enabling deeper listening and receptivity. Sabbath rhythms and intentional pauses restore spiritual vitality and open the heart to God’s presence; devotional treatments of rest highlight how regular, small practices of stillness can be transformative (Lesallan, 2026a).
Service and Outward Love
Service to others is a concrete expression of love for God and neighbor; it moves faith from private devotion into public action. Serving cultivates humility, compassion, and dependence on God’s strength, and it often clarifies vocation and spiritual gifts. Integrating regular acts of service—within the local congregation or in broader community contexts—helps believers experience God’s presence in practical settings and aligns personal devotion with communal mission.
Common Obstacles and a Practical Plan for Integration
Common Obstacles
- Busyness and fragmented attention. Modern schedules and constant digital stimulation make sustained attention difficult. Countermeasures include scheduling devotional times, using short “micro‑practices” during the day, and creating environmental cues that prompt spiritual pause.
- Doubt and dryness. Doubt is a normal part of growth; maintaining practices even when feelings lag and seeking community or pastoral guidance helps sustain faith through dry seasons.
- Isolation. Spiritual growth is impoverished when pursued alone. Joining small groups or cultivating spiritual friendships provides encouragement, correction, and mutual accountability (Lesallan, 2026c).
Practical Five‑Step Plan
- Assess and prioritize. Inventory current rhythms and choose one or two practices to add or strengthen (for example, morning prayer and weekly Scripture journaling).
- Set specific, measurable goals. Example: 10 minutes of prayer and 15 minutes of Scripture five days a week; attend weekly worship; serve once a month.
- Create environmental support. Designate a prayer space, set reminders, and keep a journal. Use short daily devotionals as templates for sustainable practice (Lesallan, 2026b).
- Form accountability structures. Join a small group or find a spiritual friend to share progress and struggles; report back regularly and celebrate small wins.
- Evaluate and adjust quarterly. Reflect on what is life‑giving and what needs change; reframe setbacks as learning opportunities and adjust goals accordingly.
Conclusion
Deepening a relationship with God is a patient, disciplined, and communal journey. The most reliable path combines consistent personal practices—prayer, Scripture engagement, silence, and service—with participation in a faith community and sacramental rhythms. Devotional resources that emphasize rest, waiting, and steady devotion provide practical examples for embedding these disciplines into daily life (Lesallan, 2026a; Lesallan, 2026b; Lesallan, 2026c). By adopting a few sustainable disciplines, seeking accountability, and remaining patient through seasons of dryness, individuals and communities can experience progressive transformation into greater intimacy with God.
References:
Lesallan. (2026a, January 30). Rest that restores. The Christian Thing. https://thechristianthing.org/rest-that-restores/
Lesallan. (2026b, January 31). Devotional: The God who finishes what he starts. The Christian Thing. https://thechristianthing.org/devotional-the-god-who-finishes-what-he-starts/
Lesallan. (2026c, February 7). Weekend devotional — February 7–9, 2026. The Christian Thing. https://thechristianthing.org/weekend-devotional-february-7-9-2026/
