If you’re anything like me, you find it really hard to sit down and spend time reading the Word…and don’t even get me started on getting on my knees and praying for any significant length of time.

All over the Bible, you find people spending all night in prayer. Sometimes I have a hard time even spending 5 minutes in prayer! Can you relate?

Prayer is a discipline, but there's also strategy! Here's a few ideas to help you go deeper in your relationship with God when there are so many distractions around you!

1. If you genuinely desire to deepen your relationship with Him, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the passion and the desire to spend more time with Him. This is something that can’t come from any person. Sure, people can encourage you, but they can’t create this desire and passion.

2. The Gospels, which make up the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are filled with stories of Jesus going away and spending time alone with God. As you read through these four books of the Bible, notice how often Jesus does this and allow that to be an inspiration to do likewise.

3. Be honest with God about things that distract you from spending time with Him. Matthew 6:8 says, “For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” God knows what you’re thinking, but He still wants us to feel comfortable enough to voice it and be open with Him about it all. Present all your requests to God and thank Him for what he's already been working in your life.

4. Whether it’s a Bible that has 365 daily readings built into it or an online Bible reading plan through your Bible app, subscribe to a plan so that you have a specific plan to your reading. That's a key to your follow through!

5. Plan ahead. Schedule your quiet time into your calendar on your phone. Try and identify the time of day when you’re most alert and intentionally make time to spend with God.

6. Be strategic about where you to go spend time with God. For some people, this might be a coffee house, park or on your back patio. For others, it might be your bedroom with the door closed. Choose a place where you know that distractions will be minimized or eliminated. Don't take your phone with you when you do your quiet time. 

7. If you notice a 10-15 break in the middle of your day, take advantage of that opportunity and spend it with God.

8. Invite God into your car with you. Listen to the Bible while you’re driving or imagine that God is sitting in your passenger seat as you pray.

9. Sign up to go on a retreat with your church where you can get out of town for a couple days with like-minded people and be in real, genuine community. Iron sharpens iron. You can't ignore community with other Christians if you want to grow in your faith. 

Investing in your relationship with God is something you won’t regret. It’s time well spent and the benefits will be priceless.