Pray to Connect: How Communion Deepens Your Relationship with God
The Path to a Deeper Spiritual Relationship
When I was in junior high school I took two buses to go to school on the other side of Brooklyn. When I would return home from school, walking two and a half blocks from the bus stop, my little sister would always meet me, running up the street with her arms outstretched yelling, RENEE. Her eyes would be filled with glee and her mouth with laughter as I scooped down to pick her up. At that moment I felt so loved, so wanted. It was an intimacy shared between sisters. An unconditional love my little sister had for me.
God wants us to be like my little sister. He wants us to run with expectancy towards him, with arms outstretched ready for our Father to scoop us up in His arms. Prayer is not about a list of requests and demands we have before God. Prayer is about communion and relationship. It is how we get closer to God.
What is Communion?
I am not talking about the ordinance/sacrament (varies depending on your denomination) where we eat the body and drink the blood of Christ (symbolically or transubstantiation depending on your denomination) through consuming unleavened bread and wine. Communion with God refers to an intimate, ongoing relationship with the Divine. It's about connecting deeply with God, experiencing His presence, and developing a heartfelt bond. This relationship goes beyond merely asking for things in prayer; it involves listening, worshiping, and being in constant fellowship with God. It's about sharing your heart and life with Him and allowing Him to speak into your life and guide you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
When we come to God with open hearts and a desire for communion, we are met with His love, His guidance, and His peace. This intimate relationship allows us to know Him better and transform our lives.
How Communion Deepens Your Relationship with God
True communion with God requires vulnerability and intentionality. It’s about slowing down, setting aside distractions, and dedicating moments to simply be in His presence. Like a deep friendship or a close family bond, it takes time, effort, and trust to grow a connection. Communion is the key to this growth.
The Apostle James reminds us: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, ESV) This promise shows us the reciprocal nature of communion. When we make the effort to draw near to Him, He lovingly meets us where we are.
Steps to Deepen Communion with God
Create Sacred Spaces for Prayer In Luke 5:16, we read, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Follow His example by finding moments of solitude to connect deeply with the Father. In our fast-paced world, we are often too busy or crave things to happen quickly. But that is not how God moves. He often slows things down, speaking softly so we must quiet ourselves to hear Him. It’s hard to hear a whisper in a crowd, which is why Jesus withdrew to lonely places and why we must carve out spaces of stillness in our lives. These sacred moments allow us to settle our minds, quiet our hearts, and hear God’s voice.
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash Listen More Than You Speak Often, we approach prayer as a time to list our concerns. But communion also involves listening to God’s voice. Psalm 46:10 encourages us to “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness, we can hear His whispers and feel His presence.
During my evening prayers before bed, I take time to intentionally listen. I start by reading scripture or a devotional. I intercede for my Compassion child, loved ones, and our nation. Lastly, I converse with God about my day or any specific needs. But the most cherished part is listening. Whether it’s instruction, encouragement, or moments where God speaks audibly, I kneel or lie prostrate before Him, waiting to hear His voice. Prayer is a conversation, and without God’s response, my words would echo emptily into the room.My journey in cultivating prayer started as a child, even though my family didn’t attend church or read the Bible. No one taught me how to pray, yet I had an urge to pray as the children on TV did before they went to bed. Initially, I thought prayer was giving God instructions—until one day, He audibly corrected me, gently teaching me to ask for His blessings instead. That moment transformed my prayers from demands to heartfelt petitions for my family, friends, and community. My prayers shifted from telling God what to do, to asking God for His blessings.
Incorporate Worship and Thanksgiving Worship draws us closer to God’s heart. As Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Gratitude opens the door to deeper fellowship.
Some of the most refreshing times I have spent in prayerhave come during praise and worship. I embrace the practice of praying without ceasing - as it states in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Throughout my day, I take intentional moments for thanksgiving—whether it’s a brief pause or an hour of hymns and worship songs.
Worship at The Potters House in Dallas, TX In Revelation, the Apostle John describes heavenly beings worshiping the Lord on the Island of Patmos. Heaven is filled with praise, and God promises to inhabit our worship. When we invite Him into our space, His presence brings transformative power, and extraordinary things happen.
Reflect on His Word God speaks through Scripture, and meditating on His Word creates an avenue for communion. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash Often, during prayer, the Holy Spirit whispers scripture into my heart. As I look up the verses, He continues to reveal more, leading me down a path of deeper understanding. I’ve spent hours immersed in scripture, guided by the greatest Teacher of all, receiving wisdom for sermons and posts like this one.
God speaks in many ways—when we still ourselves and follow His Spirit, we position ourselves to hear His voice, His direction, and His truth.
Abiding in God - Mark of Spiritual Growth
As you deepen your communion with God, you’ll find that prayer becomes less about asking and more about abiding. Abiding in His love and His presence cultivates spiritual growth, peace, and a greater understanding of who He is. John 15:5 reminds us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Communion keeps us connected to the true source of life and purpose.
God invites us to approach Him like children—running into His arms with expectant hearts, ready to feel His embrace. When we cultivate communion with Him, we experience a joy and intimacy that transcends understanding.
Final Thought
Prayer is the lifeline of our relationship with God, just as communication is the heartbeat of any relationship. Without it, connection fades, and growth stalls.
