Steps to Deepen Your Connection with God

The journey of drawing near to God finds a profound example in the Puritans' approach to prayer a blend of reverence, intelligence, and scriptural depth that invites believers today to experience communion with God in transformative ways. The Puritans saw prayer not as ritual but as relational, where the heart intimately aligns with God’s will through Jesus. This deepened knowledge of God shaped their prayers, filling them with confidence, awe, and a spirit-led fervor.

Pray with Knowledge

Puritan prayers were steeped in a clear, heartfelt understanding of God. They prayed not to impress but from a genuine knowledge of God’s holiness and compassion. The Westminster Catechism aptly defined prayer as “offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will.” Their familiarity with God fueled their passion, leading them to confidently approach Him, not merely as subjects but as children, trusting in His promises (Hebrews 10:19–22).

To follow their example, we must learn to pray with intention, seeking God’s heart and wisdom. The Puritans understood that true knowledge comes from God’s word, and their prayers often echoed scripture, as seen in collections like The Valley of Vision. By grounding prayers in biblical truth, they experienced a closeness with God that enriched their lives and those around them.

Pray with Reverence and Confidence

While revering God’s holiness, the Puritans also prayed boldly. They recognized that, through Christ, they could confidently approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). The Puritan Thomas Cobbet described this approach as a humble yet empowered response to God’s glory. Despite recognizing their unworthiness, they knew that Christ’s sacrifice enabled them to stand before God, not in fear but in love.

We, too, can approach God with both awe and assurance, as the Puritans modeled. Their understanding of reverence was rooted in humility and submission, allowing them to commune deeply with God, bringing every need and praise before Him.

Pray with Scriptural Substance

Puritan prayers reflect God’s priorities, aligning with His promises. They often structured their prayers around scripture, drawing on passages that resonated with their requests. This intentional use of the Bible in prayer granted them a profound connection with God’s heart. Just as Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 wove together previous revelations, the Puritans incorporated scripture, seeing it as a natural language for prayer.

The Puritans’ example urges us to make God’s word the foundation of our prayers. When our petitions echo His promises, we pray with both conviction and humility, seeking His will above all.

To the Throne of Grace

The Puritans show us that true prayer brings us before God’s throne of grace. Their prayers were conversations filled with faith, guided by the Spirit, and focused on the almighty Father. As we adopt their heart posture, may we find our own prayers deepened, marked by reverence, assurance, and an unwavering commitment to God’s word.

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