Drawing Near to God

In a world that insists on speed and surface where prayer becomes a box to check and Christianity a performance it’s easy for our souls to feel dusty. We long for more than religious ritual. We long to draw near to God: to know Him, to rest in Him, to speak with Him, to walk with Him. The old Puritans, in their time, mastered this art. They prayed not out of duty but out of wonder and from that deep communion flowed a life shaped by holiness, hope, and love. Though centuries separate us, their passion and practice still show us how to draw near to God today.

Why Draw Near Matters

Several writers of the New Testament speak plainly: the Christian’s life should be one of nearness to God. Hebrews repeatedly urges believers to “draw near” to enter God’s presence with boldness (Hebrews 4:16; 7:25; 10:22). And James echoes this truth with a promise: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

Because of what Christ has done through His blood, His sacrifice, and His living intercession as our High Priest the way into God’s very presence is open to us freely.

To draw near isn’t a religious performance. It’s the heartbeat of a life grounded in Christ, walking in faith instead of empty ritual, abiding in the vine instead of invisibly drifting.

What the Puritans Understood About Prayer

When we peer into the prayer life of the Puritans, we see practices shaped by Scripture, deep humility, and Spirit‑empowered faith. Their example can help us today not by copying their language or century‑old phrasing, but by embracing their posture before God.

Pray With Intelligence

The Puritans prayed not shallowly but with thoughtful knowledge of God, Scripture, and the soul’s needs. They understood that prayer is not mere breath it’s an offering of heart, mind, and will to God.

They used Scripture especially Psalms, prayers of David, prayers of the apostles as the soil for their intercessions. This gave their prayers both depth and alignment with God’s revealed will.

They recognized that true prayer requires the assistance of the Holy Spirit, who helps our hearts perceive God’s promises, trust Christ’s merits, and pray in faith even when words fail.

Pray With Reverence and Confidence

Approaching God is not casual. We approach a holy, majestic, righteous, sovereign God a reality the Puritans never dulled with cheap familiarity. They carried a trembling awe before the throne of grace, remembering their sin and God’s holiness.

Yet because of Christ’s atoning blood and resurrection, their reverence was balanced by boldness. They came with confidence, not arrogance with humble assurance that through Christ, they were welcomed children at the throne.

Pray With Substance, Sincerity, and Dependence

Their prayers were not shallow wish‑lists. They interceded with passion for God’s glory, the church’s growth, personal holiness, relief for suffering souls, revival, and global mission.

They confessed sin openly, repented often, and clung to the promises of God’s Word. They did not rely on their eloquence, but on God’s mercy and they brought their requests before Him with transparent hearts.

In short: their prayers were shaped by Scripture, rooted in Christ, powered by the Spirit, humble before God, but full of faith and expectation.

How You Can Draw Near Practically

You don’t need seventeenth‑century robes or a monastery cell to draw near to God. The same grace that gave Puritan prayer to them gives access to you now. Here are some simple but profound practices to help you draw near daily:

• Begin with Scripture. Read Psalms, prayers of Scripture, or the recorded prayers of biblical figures. Let their words shape your posture and prayer life.

• Pray with honesty and humility. Confess sin, admit weakness, cry out for mercy, and cling to Christ’s finished work. Trust that you can come boldly because He has made a way.

• Depend on the Spirit. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers, help you see your need, and trust God’s promises even when you don’t feel spiritual.

• Pray with expectancy. Approach God not as a distant deity, but as your Father who delights to give good gifts. Expect Him to hear, respond, and work in ways beyond your imagination.

• Make prayer relational and varied. Pray alone, with your family, with your church. Mix intercession, confession, thanksgiving, worship, and simple listening.

• Keep coming. Even if your prayers feel weak, your faith small, or your emotions dry draw near anyway. The invitation stands: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

Conclusion

God does not need our prayers. He does not wait anxiously for more words. But He delights to meet us, to commune with us, to draw us near not by our merit, but by His grace in Christ.

If you long for a life of closeness with the living God if you hunger for more than routine religion then let the Puritans’ prayer give you courage. Learn from their reverence, their honesty, their dependence. Come with your whole heart. Come humbly, come expectantly, come confidently to the throne of grace.

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