Can I Know God Personally? Yes, and Here Is How

By Dr. Layne McDonald

Yes, you can know God personally. Not just know about Him, but know Him the way you know a dear friend. God created you for close fellowship with Himself, sin broke that closeness, and Jesus came to restore it. In John 17:3, Jesus said eternal life is this: knowing the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent. Knowing God is not the reward at the end of the Christian life. It is the Christian life.

God is not distant

Some imagine God as far off, cold, or too busy. Scripture paints the opposite picture. Jeremiah 29:13 promises that when you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Revelation 3:20 pictures Jesus standing at the door and knocking, wanting to come in and share life with you. James 4:8 adds the simple invitation: draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. He is not hiding from you.

What stands in the way

Honesty matters here. Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and sin separates us from a holy God. No amount of good deeds, church attendance, or perfect prayers can erase that separation on our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). That is the bad news every version of this post has to carry, because it makes the good news shine.

What Jesus did about it

Romans 5 shows a God who did not wait for us to climb up to Him. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. John 1:12 says that to all who receive Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. A relationship, even family, is the offer on the table.

How to begin, in plain steps

• Admit the truth: you need God, and your sin separates you from Him.

• Believe in Jesus: trust that He died for your sins and rose again (Romans 10:9).

• Receive Him: pray and invite Him in. There is no magic wording. Speak from your heart.

• Start walking with Him: prayer, the Bible, and a church family, one day at a time.

Romans 10:13 promises that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. That includes you, today, right where you are.

It does not depend on a building

One of the older versions of this post said it beautifully for our Boundless family: you know God personally not through a church building, a pastor, or a perfect prayer, but through Jesus Himself. Acts 17 reminds us God does not live in temples made by hands, and He is not far from any one of us. Your living room, hospital room, or truck cab is close enough. He promises never to leave you (Hebrews 13:5).

Carry this with you

God knows your name, your story, and your heart, and He wants you to know Him back. That door Jesus knocks on opens from your side. You can open it today.

Questions people ask

Do I have to be good enough before I come to God?

No. Romans 5:8 says Christ died for us while we were still sinners. You come as you are, and God does the cleansing and the changing. Trying to clean yourself up first is like showering before a bath. Just come.

What prayer do I pray to know God?

Your own honest words work. Tell God you believe Jesus died and rose for you, ask Him to forgive you, and invite Him into your life. John 17:3 and Romans 10:9-13 are good guides. If you prayed that prayer, we would love to celebrate with you and help you take the next step.

Need prayer? Call or text 1-901-213-7341. You belong at Boundless, an online church family for people who cannot reach a building, and we will gladly help you find a local Assemblies of God church near you. Visit us at boundlessonlinechurch.org.