How To Come Back To God: A Step-By-Step Guide

Many people go through periods in their life where they feel distant from God. Whether due to sin, busyness, or simply drifting away over time, reconnecting with God again can seem challenging.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: To come back to God, confess your sins, renew your commitment to following Christ, fill your life with spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer, plug into a church community, and serve others in Christian love.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the key steps you can take to restore your relationship with God, experience His grace and forgiveness, and live a more spirit-filled life.

Confess Your Sins Honestly

Be specific in naming sins

When confessing sins, it is important to be as specific as possible. Generic confessions like “Lord, forgive me for where I’ve failed you” often lack true repentance. For a confession to be meaningful, name the specific sins, shortcomings, and offenses you have committed against God and others.

Don’t hold back out of fear or shame – God already knows the sins anyway, so confess them openly and transparently. Specificity demonstrates a repentant heart that sincerely wants to make things right.

For example, don’t just say “Lord, forgive me for lying.” Instead, confess “Lord, please forgive me for lying to my spouse about where I was last night.” Calling out the specific lie shows a real desire for forgiveness.

Other examples could include confessing “Lord, forgive me for lusting after my coworker” or “Lord, please forgive my selfishness in not helping my neighbor in need.” The more details, the better.

In addition to naming specific sins, it can be helpful to categorize sins. For example, confess sins related to anger, pride, lust, laziness, greed, and so forth. This allows you to see patterns and strongholds that need to change. Ask God to reveal any hidden sins you may be blind to as well.

Repent and ask for forgiveness

After naming the specific sins, the next step is to repent. Repentance goes beyond feeling sorry – it requires a change in mindset and behavior. When repenting, verbally express remorse and apologize directly to God.

Phrases like “Lord, I’m so sorry for…” and “Please forgive me for…” convey a repentant heart.

It’s also important to ask for forgiveness. While God freely forgives confessed sins, ask anyway to show humility. For example, pray “Lord, please forgive me for being selfish with my time. Thank you for forgiving and cleansing me through the blood of Jesus.” This models the repentant attitude we need.

In addition to repenting to God directly, make apologies or restitution to anyone you have wronged. For example, return stolen goods, ask forgiveness from someone you lied to, or replace items you damaged. Taking these actions demonstrates the genuineness of your repentance.

Lastly, claim God’s forgiveness and cleansing by faith. Believe that when God says your sins are forgiven through Christ, they are indeed forgiven. Don’t wallow in false guilt after confessing – accept God’s redemption and move forward in the grace and freedom of His forgiveness.

Recommit Your Life to Following Jesus

Surrender your will

Surrendering your will to God is a vital step in recommitting your life to following Jesus. This means relinquishing control and fully submitting to God’s plan for your life instead of trying to steer your own course. Here are some practical ways to surrender your will:

• Pray and ask God to reveal any areas of your life you are holding back from Him. Confess these and ask for the strength to let go.
• Make a conscious decision each day to choose God’s way over your own. Follow His lead in every decision, big or small.
• When facing temptation, pray “not my will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Ask God for a heart willing to obey.
• Replace the phrase “I want” with “You want, Lord” in your prayers. Put the focus back on what He desires.
• Read passages about surrender like Romans 12:1-2. Ask God to increase your trust as you meditate on them.

As you continuously surrender your will, God’s peace and purpose will fill you. You will experience the freedom of living for Him instead of yourself.

Accept God’s gift of salvation

In order to recommit your life to Christ, you must first be sure you have accepted God’s free gift of salvation. The Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). This means:

• Admit you are a sinner and repent, asking God to forgive your sins.
• Believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and rose again.
• Accept God’s free gift of salvation that Jesus purchased for you. You cannot earn it.
• Invite Jesus to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life.

If you are unsure if you have taken these steps before, pray a prayer declaring Jesus as Lord and asking Him to save you. Salvation is the foundation for a committed life with Christ.

Once you are secure in your salvation, some ways to continue following Jesus include: reading the Bible daily, praying constantly, fellowshipping with other believers, serving with your spiritual gifts, sharing your faith, and seeking to obey God in all areas.

Being baptized is also an important step of public commitment.

Recommitting your life to Christ is one of the most important decisions you can make. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). May you embrace the joy of pursuing Him each day.

Prioritize Spiritual Disciplines

Read the Bible daily

Reading the Bible daily is one of the most important spiritual disciplines for growing closer to God. Setting aside quiet time each day to read God’s word allows us to hear from Him, gain wisdom for life’s challenges, and renew our minds (Romans 12:2).

Here are some tips for making daily Bible reading a fruitful habit:

• Start with just 5-10 minutes if needed until it becomes a habit.
• Use a plan or schedule for working through sections of the Bible systematically.
• Before reading, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
• Read carefully, taking time to meditate on passages that stand out.
• Apply what you read to your life each day.

Studies show that only 30% of Christians read their Bibles daily. But those who do reap immense spiritual benefits and grow closer in their walk with God. So make it a priority each day to open your Bible and let God speak to you through His powerful word.

Spend time in prayer

Prayer is simply communicating with God. It’s how we build intimacy in our relationship with Him. Jesus Himself modeled a lifestyle of prayer and emphasized its importance (Luke 18:1). Setting aside consistent time for prayer should be a vital spiritual discipline as we seek to know God better.

When praying, you can follow Scriptural models like ACTS:

• Adoration – Worship God for who He is.
• Confession – Repent of sin and ask for forgiveness.
• Thanksgiving – Express gratitude for God’s blessings.
• Supplication – Make requests and intercede for needs.

Other tips for meaningful time in prayer include finding a quiet place, journaling your prayers, praying Scripture, and fasting periodically. The goal is developing authentic and intimate communion with your Heavenly Father each day.

Fast periodically

Fasting is abstaining from food or something else for spiritual purposes, often accompanied by focused prayer. Periodic fasting is a biblical way to draw closer to God, seek His will, or intercede for others (Matthew 6:16-18). Reasons to fast may include:

• Seeking God’s guidance and wisdom
• Repenting from sin or renewing spiritual commitment
• Breaking bondages or strongholds
• Healing for yourself or others
• Discover God’s will regarding a decision

The duration can range from skipping a meal to abstaining from food for an extended time. Main keys are replacing mealtime with focused prayer and allowing your physical hunger to turn into spiritual hunger for God.

Periodic fasting combined with prayer is a powerful way to prioritize your relationship with God.

Get Plugged into a Church

Attend Sunday Services

Attending Sunday church services is a great way to reconnect with God and grow in your faith. Here are some tips for getting the most out of Sunday worship:

• Arrive early to get settled in and spend some time in silent prayer before the service starts. This will help prepare your heart.
• Sing along during the worship music. Don’t just listen – lift your voice in praise!
• Take notes during the sermon. Jot down key points, meaningful scriptures, and action steps.
• Stick around after the service to chat with others. Introduce yourself to some new people.

Faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), so make attending and engaging in Sunday services a weekly priority. You’ll be amazed at how God uses these times to encourage and strengthen your walk with Him.

Join a Small Group

Getting connected with a small group at church is a fantastic way to build relationships with other believers. Here are some tips for getting involved in a life-giving small group:

• Check your church’s website or bulletin for a list of available small groups. Look for one that fits your stage of life, interests, or location.
• Visit a few groups before deciding which one to join. See where you experience the best sense of connection and community.
• Once you’ve chosen a group, attend faithfully and come prepared. Do the study or readings ahead of time.
• Open up during the discussions. Share your thoughts and stories with humility and authenticity.

Statistics show that people who are involved in a small group are much more likely to stay connected to God and remain active in church. You’ll grow spiritually as you study the Bible, pray, and do life with your small group brothers and sisters.

Serve in Ministry

Rolling up your sleeves to serve at church is a fantastic way to use your gifts and reconnect with God. Here are some ideas for getting plugged into ministry:

• Take your church’s spiritual gifts assessment. This will reveal your God-given strengths and passions.
• Browse serving opportunities on your church website or bulletin board. Look for ways to use your specific gifts.
• Start by volunteering once a month or committing to a short-term role. You can always increase your involvement later.
• Arrive early and stay late when you serve. Offer to help with set-up and clean-up.

Studies show that church members who serve in some capacity are much more engaged and satisfied with their church experience. As you give your time and talents, watch how God transforms your heart and brings new joy and meaning to your life.

Live Out Your Faith

Love God and others

Loving God and others is foundational to living out one’s faith. This means having a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and worship. It also entails serving others, showing compassion, and building community. Here are some practical ways to love God and love people:

• Spend time daily in prayer and Scripture. Set aside 15-30 minutes to talk to God and read a passage from the Bible. Ask God to speak to you and transform you through His word.
• Participate in corporate worship. Attend church services and find ways to get involved, such as joining a small group or serving team. Worshipping with fellow believers fuels spiritual growth.
• Show generosity and lend a hand. Look for opportunities to give money, time, or resources to help those in need. Visit someone who is sick or lonely. Serve at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Share Christ’s love. Let your words and actions reflect the kindness and compassion of Jesus. Befriend those who are different from you. Forgive others when wronged. Extend grace.

Loving God inspires us to love others. As we devote ourselves to knowing and following God, His love naturally flows through us.

Use your gifts

God has given each believer unique gifts and talents to serve Him and build up the church. Using our gifts brings joy and fulfillment while advancing God’s kingdom on earth. Here are some ideas for putting your gifts to work in meaningful ways:

• Take a spiritual gifts assessment. These questionnaires help pinpoint areas where you excel and how God has wired you. Your church may offer a gifts test.
• Experiment with different ministry roles. Try volunteering in various departments – music, youth, hospitality, etc. See where you feel energized and successful.
• Talk to ministry leaders. Ask how you can use your skills in church programs or outreach. Mentoring teenagers, designing websites, leading a Bible study are just some possibilities.
• Look beyond the church walls. Your gifts can serve community needs – leading a neighborhood watch group, tutoring immigrants in English, providing job mentoring, coaching kids’ sports teams.

When people vibrantly exercise their gifts, the church gains passionate members who contribute their best. Don’t let your talents go to waste! Offer them back to God in service to others.

Share your faith

Telling others about Christ is an essential way followers of Jesus live out their faith. However, it often creates fear and uncertainty about what to say or how to say it. Here are some tips for sharing your faith comfortably and respectfully:

• Know the gospel message. Be able to articulate the basic good news about Jesus – who He is, how He died for sins, and the gift of salvation and eternal life. Practice a short version you can explain.
• Listen first. Ask people questions to understand their beliefs and background. Look for common ground to build rapport. Share your story when it naturally fits.
• Leverage opportunities. When spiritual topics arise or major life events happen, ask if you can pray or follow up later to continue the dialogue.
• Invite people to church. Offer to pick them up and sit with them. Follow up to answer questions and introduce them to others. Low-key invitations can make church feel safe.

With practice, an attitude of genuine care, and guidance from the Holy Spirit, believers can gracefully discuss their faith without being pushy or weird. Your sensitivity just might open a door for someone to encounter Jesus.

Conclusion

Coming back to God after a period of distance is totally possible when you take deliberate steps to restore that relationship. It starts with humility, repentance and receiving God’s forgiveness. As you recommit to following Jesus every day in both your personal spiritual life and involvement with a loving church community, you’ll experience a renewed closeness with your Heavenly Father.

Stay the course and delight in the joy of pursuing God’s heart above all else.