Strengthening your faith and putting God first can seem like a daunting task. But don’t worry, with the right guidance, it’s easier than you think! In this article, we’ll explore 5 practical ways to strengthen your faith.
If you’re looking for actionable steps that can help you put God at the forefront of your life, then keep reading! These tips are easy to implement and will leave you feeling more connected to God in no time.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped” – Psalm 28:7
Putting God first means prioritizing His will above all else in our lives. This requires effort and intentionality. However, by following these five practical ways, you can make conscious efforts to consistently grow closer to God in every aspect of your life.
We hope that through this article, we can inspire and encourage you to seek God first in everything you do. So without further ado, let’s dive into the practical ways you can put God first!
Table of Contents
Make Time For God Every Day
In our fast-paced world, it can be challenging to find time for personal devotion. However, putting God first in your day is essential if you want to have a closer relationship with Him. Here are some tips on how to make time for God every day.
Start Your Day With God
A great way to put God first in your day is by starting each morning with prayer and reflection. Wake up a few minutes earlier than usual to spend a moment talking to God. You can pray for guidance, protection, and blessings for yourself and loved ones.
You could also read daily devotions or scriptures that inspire you. A short Bible verse can give you the strength and courage that you need for the day ahead. Make sure to pick one that resonates with you personally.
“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” -Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
Taking this time will help calm your mind and set intentions for the rest of your day while focusing on God’s love and grace. It can truly transform your life and the lives of those around you.
Set Aside Specific Times for Prayer and Reflection
To deepen your relationship with God, it’s important to not only start your day but also take it as it comes. Find particular moments throughout the day where you can pause and reflect on His presence in your life, and offer prayers of gratitude or petitions about what’s going on in your heart.
This reflective habit might look different for everyone, depending on schedules and personalities. Perhaps it’s during lunch breaks when you’re enjoying some alone time, after work hours when everything has come to an end, or before bedtime at night. Whatever it might be, find a time that works for you and commit to making it part of your daily routine.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” -Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
When you have specific times for God each day, it provides a sense of structure and peace to both your thoughts and actions. It directs everything towards how you live out each day more purposefully as a reflection of His unconditional love and mercy.
In conclusion, life can sometimes get very busy, but it’s important we put God first if we want a healthy relationship with Him. To do so, start by setting aside quality alone-time with God every morning and taking reflective moments throughout the day. Stick to these habits; they will bear fruits of strength, guidance, love, and character our persistent world is in need of. Be blessed!Build A Community Of Believers
In order to put God first in your life, it is important to surround yourself with a community of believers who share the same faith and values as you do. Here are some ways to build a strong community:
Attend Church Regularly
The church provides a great opportunity to connect with other believers and worship together. Attending church regularly allows you to hear sermons, participate in communal prayer, and engage in fellowship activities.
“The Lord has commanded that His people be organized according to certain principles that allow them to enjoy the blessings of the gospel more fully. Part of those principles includes meeting together often.” -Elder M. Russell Ballard
By attending church on a consistent basis, you can develop meaningful relationships within the local congregation and grow spiritually through participation in group discussions and studies. Additionally, being an active member of a church community means supporting and caring for one another, especially during difficult times.
Join a Bible Study Group
Bible study groups provide a great way to explore God’s word in depth and discuss its application to our lives. Such meetings also offer a chance to learn from others and ask questions about things we might not understand.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
Joining a small-group Bible study can help create a sense of accountability and encouragement among members, while deepening your understanding of scripture and fostering spiritual growth.
Participate in Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering your time and resources in service of others is a tangible expression of love for God and neighbor. There are countless volunteer opportunities available at churches and within the wider community.
“A life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” -Albert Einstein
Working alongside other believers in ministries such as food banks and homeless shelters can provide meaningful opportunities to serve those less fortunate. Bonding over shared service experiences helps create connections within a community filled with compassion, grace, and generosity.
In short, by building a strong community of believers centered around faith, attending church regularly, joining bible study groups, and participating in volunteer opportunities we can put God first in our lives and deepen our relationship with Him.
Study The Bible Regularly
If you want to learn how to put God first in your life, one of the most important things you can do is study the Bible. This is where you will find all the wisdom and guidance you need to live a godly life.
Here are some tips for studying the Bible regularly:
Create a Reading Plan
To stay consistent with your Bible reading, it can be helpful to create a reading plan. This could involve picking a specific book or section of the Bible to read each day or using a devotional that has daily readings already laid out for you. You can also use online resources, like BibleGateway.com, which has a variety of reading plans you can choose from based on your interests and goals.
Take Notes and Reflect on What You Read
When you’re reading through the Bible, take notes on what stands out to you. Write down questions you have or insights you’ve gained. Use a journal or notebook specifically dedicated to your Bible studies so you can look back on your reflections later. It’s essential to reflect on what you’ve learned so that you can apply it to your life.
Discuss Questions and Insights With Others
Another great way to reinforce what you’re learning through your Bible studies is by discussing your questions and insights with others. Find a friend or family member who shares your faith and start a regular discussion group where you can share your thoughts and ask each other tough questions. Being part of a community committed to growing their relationship with God can help keep you focused and accountable on your journey.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12
Studying the Bible regularly is one of the best ways to put God first in your life. It can inform all aspects of your faith journey, from making daily decisions to keeping your eyes on eternity. Remember to pray before you start studying, ask for guidance throughout your reading, and be open to what the Holy Spirit wants to teach you.
Pray Without Ceasing
Putting God first in our lives can be an ongoing challenge. However, one way to stay connected with Him is through prayer. Prayer is simply a conversation with God, and there’s no better way to get closer to Him than by talking to Him on a regular basis.
Pray Throughout the Day
An effective way to put God first in your life is to pray throughout the day. This means lifting up quick prayers every time you feel anxious, frustrated, grateful, or excited. You could also set aside specific times of the day to talk to God, such as the moment you wake up, before meals, or right before bed. The point is to make prayer an integral part of your daily routine so that it becomes natural and second nature.
“Never stop praying.” -1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
If you struggle to remember to pray throughout the day, consider setting reminders on your phone or placing Post-it notes around your house to encourage yourself to pause and communicate with God.
Keep a Prayer Journal
Another practical way to prioritize God in your life is by keeping a prayer journal. Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and requests not only helps you organize your thoughts but also allows you to reflect on how God answers you over time. By looking back at previous entries, you can see patterns in answered prayers and use this knowledge to deepen your faith and trust in God’s plan.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” -Philippians 4:6
You don’t need fancy tools or materials to start a prayer journal. Simply grab a notebook and pen, and start jotting down your prayers. If you prefer a digital format, many prayer apps are available on smartphones or tablets that will guide you through daily devotions and keep track of your requests.
By making prayer a priority in our everyday lives, we can deepen our relationship with God, receive His guidance, gain peace and wisdom, and put Him first in all things. Remember that God always wants to hear from us, no matter how small or big the request may be.
“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Live Out Your Faith In Your Actions
If you want to put God first in your life, then it must reflect in how you live and interact with others. The Bible says that faith without works is dead (James 2:26), so as Christians, we are called to live out our faith through our actions.
Show Love and Kindness to Everyone
One of the most important ways to live out your faith is by showing love and kindness to everyone you come across, regardless of their background or beliefs. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
“Love is not an emotion; it’s a commitment.” -Jeanette Windle
Love isn’t just a feeling but rather a choice to put others’ needs above yourself. It means being patient with those who annoy you, forgiving those who hurt you, and showing compassion and generosity towards those in need.
Be Generous With Your Time and Resources
Another way to live out your faith is by being generous with your time and resources. The Bible teaches us to be good stewards of what God has given us, but that doesn’t mean hoarding everything to ourselves.
“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” -Corrie Ten Boom
When you give generously, whether it’s donating money to a charity or volunteering at a soup kitchen, you’re not only blessing others, but you’re also demonstrating your trust in God’s provision. And when you make sacrifices for others, you become more like Christ, who gave His life for us out of love.
Forgive Others and Ask for Forgiveness
Living out your faith also means practicing forgiveness. Jesus commanded us to forgive others just as God has forgiven us (Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it’s essential for maintaining healthy relationships and finding inner peace.
“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person would die.” -Unknown
In addition to forgiving others when they sin against you, it’s equally important to ask for forgiveness when you’ve wronged someone else. By admitting your mistakes and seeking reconciliation, you demonstrate humility and show that you value the relationship over your pride.
Speak Up for Those Who are Oppressed or Marginalized
Finally, putting God first means speaking up for those who are oppressed or marginalized. In Isaiah 1:17, God commands us to “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
This may involve advocating for social justice issues such as racial inequality, poverty, or human trafficking. It may mean using your platform to amplify voices that aren’t being heard or engaging in uncomfortable conversations with friends and family members who have different perspectives.
If we want to truly put God first in our lives, then we must be willing to follow His example of love, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and justice. It won’t always be easy, but through His grace and strength, we can live out our faith in impactful ways that honor Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make time for God in my busy schedule?
One way to make time for God is to wake up earlier in the morning and spend time in prayer and Bible reading before starting your day. You can also use your commute to listen to worship music or a sermon. Another option is to schedule specific times throughout the day to pause and reflect on God’s presence in your life.
What are some practical ways to prioritize God in my daily life?
Some practical ways to prioritize God in your daily life include setting aside time for prayer and Bible reading, attending church regularly, serving others, and seeking God’s guidance in decision-making. It’s also important to make an effort to live out your faith in your actions and interactions with others.
How can I overcome distractions and stay focused on God?
To overcome distractions and stay focused on God, try to eliminate or limit distractions, such as turning off your phone or finding a quiet place to pray. You can also set specific goals for your prayer and Bible reading time and hold yourself accountable. It’s important to remember that staying focused on God is a discipline that requires intentional effort and practice.
What role does prayer play in putting God first?
Prayer plays a vital role in putting God first by allowing us to communicate with Him and seek His guidance and wisdom. It also helps us to deepen our relationship with God and align our thoughts and desires with His will. When we prioritize prayer in our daily lives, we are acknowledging God’s sovereignty and relying on Him for strength and direction.
How can I involve my family and friends in putting God first?
One way to involve your family and friends in putting God first is to pray together and attend church as a group. You can also encourage each other to prioritize daily prayer and Bible reading, and hold each other accountable. Serving others together is another great way to put God first and strengthen relationships with those around you.