How to Hear God and Become Closer to Him

Have you ever sat in the quiet, wondering if God really hears you? Or maybe you’ve thought, I wish I could hear Him the way other people say they do. I know that feeling well. We want God to feel near, to speak clearly, to guide us like a loving Father. The beautiful truth is—He does. The question is often less about if He’s speaking and more about how we’re listening.

God Speaks in Many Ways

We sometimes expect God to boom from the heavens with thunder and lightning, but more often, His voice is soft, subtle, and personal. Think about the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11–12:

“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart… but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake… but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire… but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”

Isn’t that just like God? Not crashing in loudly but coming as a gentle whisper. He longs for us to lean in, to quiet our hearts so that we can notice Him.

Slow Down and Make Space

Our world is noisy. Phones buzz, schedules are packed, and silence feels awkward. But if we never make space for Him, how can we expect to hear His whisper? Psalm 46:10 says:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Stillness is not wasted time—it’s holy ground. Try setting aside a few minutes each day to sit quietly with no agenda. Just breathe, maybe read a short passage of Scripture, and ask, Lord, what do You want to show me today? Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear anything right away. Like tuning a radio, sometimes it takes practice to quiet the static before the signal comes through.

Open His Word

If you want to hear God’s voice, open your Bible. His Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). When you read Scripture, you’re not just reading history—you’re sitting down with the Author Himself. How amazing is that?

Sometimes a verse leaps off the page and feels written just for you. That’s not an accident. That’s God speaking. Romans 10:17 reminds us:

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

So when you feel distant from Him, let His Word draw you back.

Pray with Honesty

Prayer doesn’t have to sound fancy. In fact, some of the most powerful prayers are just raw honesty poured out before God. Tell Him your worries, your joys, your fears. Philippians 4:6 encourages us:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Think of it like talking with your best friend. Prayer is conversation, not a performance. And the more you talk with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes.

Pay Attention to the Nudges

God often speaks through gentle nudges in our spirit, through peace or conviction, through the words of a friend, or even through circumstances. Jesus promised in John 10:27:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

As His children, we have the privilege of recognizing His voice. It may come as a sudden reminder to pray for someone, or a sense of peace that doesn’t make sense in your situation. That’s Him.

Walk Daily with Him

Becoming closer to God isn’t about a single mountaintop experience. It’s about daily walking with Him—step by step, moment by moment. James 4:8 says:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

The more you seek Him, the more you’ll find Him. Like any relationship, closeness takes time, consistency, and trust.

A Final Thought

If you’re longing to hear God and grow closer to Him, start with small steps: stillness, Scripture, honest prayer, and paying attention to the gentle whispers. He isn’t hiding. He’s been pursuing you all along.

Remember this promise:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Friend, God delights in being close to you. His voice may not always come in dramatic ways, but when you learn to lean into His whisper, you’ll realize—He’s been speaking to you all along.

A Prayer to Draw Closer

Lord, thank You for loving me so deeply that You long for me to hear Your voice. Teach me to slow down and make space for You. Open my heart to Your Word, and help me to recognize Your gentle whispers. Remove the noise and distractions that keep me from noticing Your presence. Draw me closer to You day by day, and let my life reflect Your love in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

XO, Marie