How do you grow closer to God?

[roamingitalian]

Hi my fellow CAF users!
So lately I’ve been trying to have a more personal relationship with God. I feel guilty for not pursuing Him and getting to know Him better, sometimes, I’m downright lazy and will fall asleep at night without saying the Rosary (I’m trying to have a stronger devotion to Our Lady as well). I plan on attending Adoration at LEAST once a month as well as daily mass on a more regular basis. Also, upping my prayer life would be a goal, too.
My question is: how do you, personally, grow closer to God? What are some of your daily regimes to keep Him as the most important Person in your life?

 

[pianistclare]

Weekday Mass a couple of times a week, Catholic reading, brief periods of meditation daily, LOTH when I remember, being a nice person especially with those I have little patience for. Just trying to be the hands and feet of Christ. Sometimes doing well, other times struggling. Adoration on Wed nights.
Everyone is a work in progress. Be at peace. \One thing that helps me greatly is asking the Holy Spirit every.single.morning. when I wake up to show me what God would have me do for Him this day.
It’s always something wonderful, and often I don’t even realize it until the close of the day and reflect back on my actions or interactions.

 

[tawny]

Daily Mass with reception of Communion & Lectoring, daily Adoration; I have a scheduled assignment, daily praying of the LOTH; part of the Third Order. Also, bringing Communion to the homebound of the Parish, daily Bible reading, active member of the Legion of Mary, RCIA/CCD Instructor. Living a good Catholic life in my words, deeds & actions.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Praying and reading the Bible are two suggestions.

 

[USMC_Convert]

Go to Mass as many times a week as you can.

Pray, especially the Rosary, pray all the time, even little prayers, like “My God, I love You, enflame my heart to love You more.”

Perform the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Work with your local outreach/food pantry, working for the poor is one of the best ways to get closer to God. Try to see everyone you meet as an encounter with Jesus (stole that last line from St John Paul II).

Read good Catholics books, starting with the Bible, watch good Catholic TV.

Also very important is not just what you start to put in your body and soul it is what you start to cut out. If you’re listening to horrible songs about sex, drugs, gangs, whatever but then try to approach God in prayer how far do you think you are really going to get? If you’re watching things online that you shouldn’t be or even just bad, violent, inappropriate TV/movies and then roll over to say your nightly prayers how close do you think you can get to God?

Go on a diet for your soul, and remember a diet isn’t something you go through to lose a few pounds, a diet is what you actually eat. If you have a fast food diet you’re not gonna lose anything no matter how much time you spend at the gym. You have to change your diet to lose weight, I should know, and the same thing goes with your spiritual life. You have to change what you give your soul if you want it to grow in holiness.

 

[roamingitalian]

All good advices here! Thanks to all! You’ve given me a lot to go on.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

How can anyone live the greatest commandment, to love an invisible God they have never met? I believe the answer is in Mathew 25…

The sheep and the goats

31 ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 ‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

37 ‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?”

40 ‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

 

[drac16]

I fight lust. When I see a woman wearing tight clothing or short shorts, which is common because it’s the summer, I look away and ask the Lord to help me. It’s worked very well for me. I’m much closer to God because of this practice. Before I became a christian, I would lust after women all the time, but now that the Holy Spirit has helped me fight lust, I come closer to God every day.

I no longer view pornography or masturbate. That is only possible through the strength that the Holy Spirit provides. I don’t have enough strength on my own-- I need God desperately in order to keep pursuing sexual purity. I know He’ll continue to rescue me [from lust] as long as I walk by faith.