5 Daily Habits to Grow Closer to Jesus (Even If You Feel Far From God)
You can be reading your Bible every day, praying every morning, and going to church every week… and still feel far from Jesus. I know because I’ve been there.
And what I’ve learned is that spiritual growth isn’t about how much you know, it’s about creating the right rhythms that open you up to God’s presence.
Most of us think, “I just need to try harder. Pray more. Read my Bible every day. Be a better Christian.” But eventually, we hit a wall. We’re exhausted… and still feel distant from the One we’re trying so hard to follow.
Those things aren’t bad, they’re great. But the point isn’t to do more, it’s to draw close to God. And that happens when you build simple, daily habits that make space for Him in your life.
As John Mark Comer puts it: “If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.” (The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry)
So, I want to share 5 daily habits that can help you grow closer to Him. They’re not complicated. They’re not “checklist Christianity.” They’re simple, biblical practices that can reshape how you live.
Habit #1: Start Your Day with Surrender
The first thing you do in the morning often determines the tone of your whole day.
Paul says in Romans 12:1: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship.”
That’s not just about avoiding sin. It’s about starting your day by giving yourself to God. Before you check your phone, before you run through your to-do list, pause and surrender.
It can be as simple as praying: “God, today is Yours. My schedule. My thoughts. My words. Lead me.” This doesn’t take an hour. It takes a minute. But it re-centers your heart and reminds you who’s really in control.
Practical tip: Put your Bible or journal on top of your phone at night. That way the first thing you reach for in the morning reminds you to start with God.
Habit #2: Anchor Your Day in Scripture
If you want to grow closer to Jesus, you need to hear His voice — and that happens when you open His Word.
Psalm 1 paints this picture of the kind of person who thrives: “Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Notice that: “delight” and “meditate.” This isn’t about speed-reading a chapter so you can check it off. It’s about chewing on God’s Word until it sinks deep.
Maybe for you that means reading a chapter of the Gospels each day. Or picking one verse to carry with you and pray through.
Practical tip: Try the “first word, last word” habit. Make Scripture the first thing you read in the morning and the last thing before bed. Let God’s voice frame your day.
Habit #3: Practice Short Prayers Throughout the Day
When Paul says “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), he’s not telling us to lock ourselves in a prayer closet all day. He’s talking about a posture of ongoing conversation with God.
Think of it like texting a friend throughout the day. It’s not always long or formal, sometimes it’s just a quick, “Hey, I need you right now.”
That’s what prayer can look like:
- A short prayer before a meeting: “God, give me wisdom.”
- A moment of gratitude: “Thank You for this meal.”
- A quick plea: “God, help me love this difficult person.”
This habit keeps you connected to God, not just in the “holy moments,” but in the ordinary ones.
Practical tip: Set 3 reminders on your phone, morning, midday, and evening, to pause and pray, even if it’s just one sentence.
Habit #4: Choose Gratitude in Every Circumstance
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Gratitude changes how we see everything. It reminds us that God is present and working even when life doesn’t make sense.
This isn’t about pretending bad things are good. It’s about choosing to look for God’s goodness in the middle of the mess.
Practical tip: Keep a “gratitude list.” Every day, write down 3 things you’re thankful for — big or small. Over time, this habit rewires your brain to see God’s hand at work.
Habit #5: End Your Day with Reflection
Most of us end our day by scrolling, zoning out, or collapsing into bed. But what if you ended it with God?
In Psalm 139:23–24, David prays: “Search me, God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
That’s an evening prayer. It’s about reviewing your day with God, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and inviting Him to shape you.
Practical tip: Before bed, ask yourself two questions:
- Where did I see God at work today?
- Where do I need His grace?
Why These Habits Work
If you read the Gospels, you see that Jesus Himself lived by rhythms:
- He started His days in prayer (Mark 1:35).
- He regularly retreated to be alone with the Father (Luke 5:16).
- He practiced gratitude, even before breaking bread (John 6:11).
If Jesus, the Son of God, needed daily habits to stay close to the Father, how much more do we? You need to create space in your life to experience what Jesus has for you.
As John Mark Comer says: “Following Jesus is not just about believing what He believed. It’s about living the way He lived.”
Here’s my challenge for you:
For the next 7 days, pick 2 of these habits and practice them every single day.
- Start your day with surrender.
- Anchor your day in Scripture.
- Pray short prayers throughout the day.
- Write down 3 things you’re thankful for.
- End your day reflecting with God.
Just two. Every day. For a week. Take a step toward creating habits that will grow your faith and bring you closer to Jesus.
And if you’re looking for a great next read, I highly recommend John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. It unpacks how to slow down, create margin, and actually live in the way of Jesus. It’s been incredibly helpful in my own walk.
