Day 2: Growing in Intimacy with God
Scripture
James 4:8 – "Come near to God and he will come near to you."
Prayer Prompt
“Lord, Thank You for Your promise that as I draw near to You, You will draw near to me. Today, I come with a heart that longs for deeper intimacy with You. Forgive me for the times I’ve allowed distractions or sin to keep me distant from Your presence. I ask that You remove any barriers in my heart and make me more aware of Your nearness. Draw me close, Lord, and help me seek You daily—through prayer, Your Word, and worship. I trust that as I take steps toward You, You will meet me.”
Reflection
Intimacy with God is not a one-time experience but a daily invitation. James 4:8 assures us that as we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. But what does it mean to truly "come near"? It’s not just about physical proximity—it’s about opening our hearts and our lives to God’s presence.
Take a moment today to reflect on your relationship with God. Are there areas where you've distanced yourself? Are there distractions that have taken the place of God’s presence in your life? Intimacy with God grows as we actively seek Him—through prayer, worship, and quiet moments of reflection. The beauty of this promise is that God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect or prepared; He simply asks us to come.
Ask yourself: How can I make space today to intentionally draw near to God? What step can I take to remove barriers—whether mental, emotional, or spiritual—that prevent me from experiencing His nearness?
Application
The “Fixed Hour Prayer” is an ancient practice, dating back over 1,600 years, still practiced today. Inspired by Psalm 119:164 (“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules”), it includes seven prayer times: 3:45 a.m., 6:00 a.m., 6:25 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 5:40 p.m., and 7:40 p.m. While you don’t need to pray all seven times, we recommend starting with one and building up from there.
These prayer moments offer a chance to pause in our busy day and draw near to God. They can be as brief or as long as you prefer, but each session typically includes four key elements:
Stop what you're doing
Center yourself — sit still, close your eyes, focus your thoughts, and become aware of God’s presence.
Silence — take a moment to be still before the Lord.
Scripture — meditate on a verse or passage.
Suggestions for practice include reading the Psalms, meditating on Bible verses, reading a devotional, listening to worship, or praying prayers of gratitude, surrender, and repentance. If it helps, do it. If it doesn’t, don’t. The purpose is to remember God and commune with Him throughout your day!