What should I do when I feel far from God?
That feeling of being far from God — it’s more common than we think, and yet when it happens, it can be deeply unsettling. Whether you’re facing spiritual dryness, wrestling with guilt, or just going through the motions of faith without feeling connected, know this: you’re not alone, and God hasn’t left you.
Let’s walk through this together, step by step. Here’s what to do when you feel far from God:
1. Start with Honesty: Bring Your Feelings to God
God is not afraid of your questions, doubts, or silence. In fact, Scripture is full of raw, honest prayers from people who felt distant from Him:
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?”
— Psalm 13:1
What to do:
Start where you are, not where you think you “should” be. Pour out your heart to God — confusion, anger, weariness, apathy, whatever it is. He already knows, but there’s healing when you speak it.
You can pray something like:
“God, I feel far from You. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I need You. Please draw near.”
2. Remember What’s True — Not Just What You Feel
Feelings are real, but they’re not always true. Scripture tells us what’s true, even when we don’t feel it:
- God is near: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
- God never leaves: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5
- God is unchanging: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8
What to do:
When you feel far from God, preach the truth to your soul. Write down promises. Speak them aloud. Post them where you’ll see them daily.
3. Examine Your Life — But Not Through a Lens of Shame
Sometimes sin or spiritual neglect can dull our sensitivity to God. Other times, we’re just emotionally or physically drained, and that affects our spirit too.
Ask yourself gently:
- Am I holding onto unconfessed sin?
- Have I been neglecting prayer or Scripture?
- Have I been isolating myself from Christian community?
This isn’t about performance or guilt-tripping. It’s about making space again for intimacy with God.
What to do:
- Repent if needed. Confess your sin, trusting 1 John 1:9 — “He is faithful and just to forgive.”
- Recommit. Even a simple “Lord, I want to walk closely with You again” is a step toward renewal.
4. Get Back to the Basics — Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
When you feel distant, the last thing you may want is another quiet time. But spiritual habits aren’t about checking boxes — they’re about creating space for God to speak.
What to do:
- Read Scripture daily, even if it’s just a Psalm.
- Pray short, honest prayers. Don’t wait until you “feel spiritual.”
- Worship intentionally — even if you don’t “feel” it. Sometimes worship leads our hearts back to God.
- Gather with believers. Isolation fuels distance. Community nurtures connection.
5. Invite the Holy Spirit to Stir Your Heart Again
Dry seasons aren’t always the result of sin or failure. Sometimes God allows a sense of distance to deepen our hunger, grow our faith, or lead us into deeper dependence on Him.
Ask the Spirit to do what you cannot do in your own strength:
“Revive me according to Your word.” — Psalm 119:154
What to do:
- Pray this:
“Holy Spirit, I feel dry and far. Stir my heart. Open my eyes. Soften what has grown hard. I need You.”
6. Stop Striving — Start Abiding
When you feel far from God, the temptation is to “try harder.” But Christianity isn’t about striving for God’s love — it’s about abiding in it.
Jesus said:
“Abide in me, and I in you… As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself… neither can you, unless you abide in me.” — John 15:4
What to do:
- Picture yourself as a branch. The vine (Jesus) does the work of supplying life.
- Your role isn’t to “feel” connected — it’s to stay close and rest in Him.
7. Give It Time — God Is at Work in the Silence
Faith is not always loud or emotional. Some of the most significant growth happens in the quiet, in the waiting, and in the pressing through.
C.S. Lewis once wrote:
“He [God] is not silent. We are not listening.”
What to do:
- Stay faithful in the little things.
- Don’t judge your walk by how you feel in the moment.
- Trust that God is drawing you — even when He seems silent.
8. Find Someone to Walk With You
God often uses other people to bring us back to Himself. A friend, pastor, or mentor can speak truth when you can’t hear it on your own.
What to do:
- Reach out to someone you trust and simply say: “I’m struggling spiritually. Can you pray with me?”
You’ll be surprised how often they say, “Me too,” or “I’ve been there.”
9. Reflect on God’s Faithfulness in Your Life
Sometimes, the best way to fight spiritual fog is to remember. Go back to the moments when God showed up — through healing, provision, conviction, comfort, or peace.
What to do:
- Write a list: “Times God was faithful to me.”
- Journal your story of how you first encountered Jesus.
- Thank God out loud for even small blessings today.
Gratitude realigns your perspective.
10. Don’t Give Up — Keep Coming Back
No matter how you feel, keep returning to Him. Even if all you can say is, “Lord, I’m here again,” that is a step of faith He will honor.
Remember the father in the parable of the prodigal son?
He ran to meet his returning child — no lectures, just open arms (Luke 15:20).
That’s how God receives you.
💬 A Prayer for When You Feel Far from God
“Father, I feel distant, but I want to be close. I don’t know how to fix it, but I know You can. Please meet me here. Soften my heart. Open my ears. Revive what feels dead inside. Thank You that You never leave me, even when I wander. I trust You — help me to walk by faith, not feelings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
✍️ Questions for Reflection
- What has distracted me from intimacy with God lately?
- Are there lies I’m believing about God’s character or my identity?
- What do I miss about being close to Him?
- What’s one small step I can take today to draw near?
📖 Remember This:
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8
You don’t have to fake it. You don’t have to fix yourself. You just have to come.
Even when you feel far from God, He is never far from you.