(James 4:8) Draw near to God, and he will come near to us.

This is an extremely important covenant promise for us!

It is a promise of internal prayer for every Christian. 

This promise of internal prayer reveals how our relationship with God works.  

This is a promise of internal prayer that can be experienced at any time and in any place. 

The location of our internal prayer does not matter to God. 

How do we draw near to God in internal prayer? 

Our drawing near to God of prayer begins with the attitude of our hearts, the condition of our inner lives. 

It is an internal prayer of our hearts.

We draw near to God in internal prayer when we humble our hearts. 

We draw near to God in internal prayer when we are thirsty for the living water that only God can give. 

We draw near to God in internal prayer when we have a deep desire to commune with God. 

We draw near to God in internal prayer when we have an inner passion to know God personally and intimately.  

We draw near to God in internal prayer when we throw away our pride and bow our hearts in authenticity and openness to God, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). 

How does God come near to us? 

Through the relational presence of the Holy Spirit, God draws near to the attitude and desires of our hearts.

God’s intimate presence is an experiential mystery. 

We cannot control the Holy Spirit’s presence for it is like the wind. We do not know where it comes from or where it goes.  

The Holy Spirit comes to us in a variety of ways. 

The Holy Spirit moves within us or comes upon us, or both. 

The Holy Spirit gives us peace and brings healing. 

The Holy Spirit draws to us like soothing water and like purifying fire. 

The Holy Spirit draws near to us in total freedom of love. 

Are you drawing near to God in internal prayer every day? 

Are you intentional in your internal relationship with God in prayer every day?