Are you praying and reading the Bible and doing the things that you know enable intimacy and interaction with God – but at some moments feel far away? Don’t worry. It’s not uncommon and it doesn’t mean you are doing anything wrong either. Remember that we live in a world where the devil has a lot of influence and the feeling of separation you have could mean there are outside influences that are vying for your attention or putting up a kind of stumbling block. Maybe there are friends or family that are taking up your time either with their problems, in conversation, or watching TV. Maybe you haven’t fasted in a while, which is something that does help us to hear God’s voice with greater clarity, or put another way, you are now ‘closer’ so you can hear Him better.

There are a number of factors that currently have an affect on our relationship with God and the exercising of our faith. If you are not fortunate enough to have a priest or pastor who is brave and opening his church despite any covid restrictions, or if you do not have the option to join an online session of your church’s gatherings, you are like a single coal – the brightness and heath you emit is not as great as when you are gathered with other Christians. We are instructed in Hebrews 10:25 not to neglect church meetings. The irony of the world situation and the lack of bravery showed by most of the churches is not lost on me, and I am sure not on you either.

Nonetheless, just because we do not feel close does not mean we are not close to God and it does not excuse us from doing the things we know are right to do. We must therefore, continue to persevere in prayer, in reading the Bible, in fasting, in helping others, and in your own way – gathering with other Christians so you all stay on fire and burn brighter so you set an example for the world of what it looks like to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

I wrote this because I feel this way sometimes, and we must persevere together. God bless.