HOW TO APPROACH GOD

HOW TO APPROACH GOD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Hebrews 4:16
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Supporting Texts: Matthew 7:7-8, Psalm 95:6, James 4:8, Isaiah 55:6-7

INTRODUCTION:
Approaching God is a fundamental part of the Christian faith. As believers, we are invited to come near to God, and He promises to draw near to us. The Bible gives us several ways to approach God, ensuring that we can do so with reverence, confidence, and humility. This study explores the necessary attitudes and actions for approaching God effectively, as well as the promises He makes when we seek Him.

1. APPROACHING GOD WITH HUMILITY

Humility is the key to approaching God with the right heart.

a) Recognizing God’s Sovereignty (James 4:10)
Humility begins by recognizing God as the Supreme Being and acknowledging our dependence on Him for everything.

b) Laying aside pride (1 Peter 5:5)
God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Approaching Him requires putting aside all pride and self-sufficiency.

c) Surrendering to God’s will (Luke 22:42)
Approaching God with humility involves submitting to His will, even when it’s difficult or unclear.

d) Confessing our unworthiness (Isaiah 6:5)
As we come before God, we must acknowledge that we are unworthy to stand in His presence without His grace and mercy.

e) Biblical Example: The Tax Collector (Luke 18:13-14)
The tax collector’s humble prayer, acknowledging his sinfulness and seeking mercy, demonstrates the right attitude in approaching God.

2. APPROACHING GOD WITH CONFIDENCE

While humility is essential, we are also called to approach God with boldness and confidence.

a) Knowing that God welcomes us (Hebrews 4:16)
We have the privilege of approaching God’s throne of grace, knowing that He invites us to come boldly and confidently.

b) Trusting in God’s love and promises (Romans 8:32)
We approach God with confidence because we know that He loves us and will not withhold anything good from us.

c) Having faith in God’s ability (Matthew 21:22)
Confidence in approaching God stems from believing that He has the power to answer our prayers and meet our needs.

d) Walking in the righteousness of Christ (Ephesians 3:12)
We are able to approach God confidently because we come in the righteousness of Jesus, not in our own merit.

e) Biblical Example: The Boldness of Esther (Esther 5:1-3)
Queen Esther approached the king boldly to plead for her people, showing the importance of confidence when approaching someone in authority.

3. APPROACHING GOD THROUGH PRAYER

Prayer is the primary way we approach God and communicate with Him.

a) Seeking God’s presence (Psalm 27:8)
Prayer is not just about asking for things, but about seeking the face and presence of God, desiring communion with Him.

b) Praying with sincerity (Matthew 6:5-6)
God desires authentic communication. We must approach Him with sincerity, not with empty, repetitive words.

c) Asking in faith (Mark 11:24)
When we approach God in prayer, we must believe that He hears us and that He will answer according to His will.

d) Petitioning with persistence (Luke 18:1-8)
We are encouraged to approach God persistently, not giving up when our prayers are not immediately answered.

e) Biblical Example: The Prayer of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9-20)
Hannah’s earnest and persistent prayer, asking God for a child, exemplifies the power of approaching God with sincerity and faith.

4. APPROACHING GOD WITH WORSHIP

Worship is a way of humbling ourselves and acknowledging God’s greatness.

a) Offering our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
Worship begins with surrendering our lives to God as an act of worship in response to His mercy.

b) Acknowledging God’s greatness (Psalm 95:6)
Worship involves acknowledging the greatness of God, bowing before Him, and giving Him the glory due to His name.

c) Coming before Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4)
Worship is also about coming into God’s presence with gratitude for His faithfulness and goodness.

d) Worshipping in spirit and truth (John 4:24)
True worship is not about outward appearance but about worshipping God from a sincere heart and in accordance with His truth.

e) Biblical Example: The Worship of the Magi (Matthew 2:11)
The Magi worshipped Jesus, laying down their gifts and acknowledging His kingship, as an example of humble, heartfelt worship.

5. APPROACHING GOD THROUGH REPENTANCE

Repentance is necessary when we approach God, acknowledging our sins and seeking His forgiveness.

a) Acknowledging our sinfulness (1 John 1:9)
When we approach God, we must recognize our need for forgiveness and confess our sins before Him.

b) Turning away from sin (Acts 3:19)
Repentance involves not only confessing sin but also turning away from it, choosing to live according to God’s will.

c) Humbling ourselves before God (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Repentance requires humility, as we turn from our pride and submit ourselves to God’s authority.

d) Believing in God’s forgiveness (Isaiah 55:7)
God promises to forgive us when we repent, and we must approach Him in faith, trusting in His mercy.

e) Biblical Example: David’s Repentance (Psalm 51)
King David’s heartfelt repentance after his sin with Bathsheba shows how we should approach God with brokenness and a contrite heart.

CONCLUSION:
Approaching God is not merely a ritual but a privilege and a relationship. Whether with humility, confidence, prayer, worship, or repentance, each of these approaches allows us to draw near to God in a way that honors Him and opens the door for His grace. By embracing these approaches, we can experience deeper intimacy with God and receive His mercy and grace in every area of our lives.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, teach me to approach You with humility, recognizing Your sovereignty over my life.

2. Help me to approach You with confidence, knowing You welcome me and hear my prayers.

3. I seek Your presence, Father, with a sincere heart, desiring to know You more.

4. Grant me the grace to worship You in spirit and truth, honoring You with my whole life.

5. I come before You in repentance, confessing my sins and asking for Your forgiveness.

6. Father, help me to approach Your throne boldly, trusting in Your love and promises.

7. I commit to offering my life as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You.

8. Help me to pray with faith, believing that You hear me and will answer according to Your will.

9. May I always seek Your presence through prayer, worship, and repentance.

10. Lord, may my heart be always aligned with Yours as I approach You daily in faith.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. As you approach God with humility, He will exalt you in due time.

2. You will experience boldness in approaching God, and His grace will be abundantly poured out upon you.

3. As you approach God in worship, He will reveal His glory in your life.

4. Your prayers will be answered with speed as you approach God in faith.

5. The Lord will meet you at the point of your need as you approach Him with sincere repentance.

6. You will draw nearer to God than ever before, and He will draw near to you.

7. Every obstacle hindering your approach to God is being removed in the name of Jesus.

8. As you seek God, you will find His presence in a new and powerful way.

9. Your faith in approaching God will result in supernatural breakthroughs.

10. You will experience the fullness of God's grace as you approach Him with a pure heart.