How do I develop a personal relationship with Jesus?

Question

I don't want to give up on my religion (Methodist) and search for a new one without working on it first, but I just don't have that connection everyone else has. When I pray it feels very empty and church disinterests me. I need religion and faith in my life because I feel as if something's missing and this will fill it. What do I do?

Answer 1

Hi,
I can't quite answer your question for you since everyone in general is different from someone else (you know, whats good for one person may not be good for another)
I can share a few things with you though...
First, you have to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Next, you need to pray or at least talk to Jesus on a daily basis (or as often as you like per day) and while you are praying and getting to know Jesus better, It's a good idea to join a Bible believing church.
Read your Bible and get to know Jesus in a more intimate way so that you will learn to establish a personal relationship with your Lord and Savior.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

Make time for just Jesus and you. Maybe your "church" needs to relax in the spirit... get to know the Spirit. Just because you have been raised Methodist, does not mean that is the one man made denomination God wants you to be a member of. Try just "visiting" different denominations that teach the Word of God... get a feel of what goes on there... its ok if you leave the Methodist church to another one that teaches God's Holy Word... there may be one that will help fill that emptiness you are feeling right now. I was raised Baptist, but I'm not a Baptist now.. I am more Non denomination with the twist of pentecostal :o) I love the praise music we sing.

Answer 3

What? You don't feel saved? (j/k) the view that one must have some life changing event or great spiritual connection is hullabaloo. Just the fact that you are struggling tells me you have faith, if you didn't, you wouldn't care, case closed. I'm not exactly sure on the views of Methodists, but, the best I can tell you to strengthen your faith is Word and Sacrament. Faith is a muscle, and if you don't nourish it, it dies. Read your Bible, pray...praying is more than just asking for things, thank God for all your blessings- Just waking up in the morning is a blessing from God. Keep with it, unless you have a problem with your denomenation and its teachings, that is an entirely different issue. If you feel something is missing, you aren't fully realizing the gospel message. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. ......Put your faith in Christ, the rest will follow.

Answer 4

Engage in the scriptures... get to know him better. Before you read, pray that what God would like to be revealed would be revealed. When you are through, thank God for the time you've spent reading His word. If a passage strikes you, that is a sign. Read it a few times, close your eyes and meditate on what it is and how it pertains to your life.

The purpose of reading the scriptures (start in the New Testament and read Matt, Mark, Luke... ) is to get to know Him better - the scriptures are in part a historical gift - when you get to know a new friend, you do what? Learn about their life, their history, if you will.

Jesus is a friend and a confidant... you speak to the Lord through Christ, all of which is facilitated through the Holy Spirit.

Complicated? Make an appointment with the rector, associate pastor, youth minister... you'd be amazed how willing they would be to meet with you to talk about it. [I was always intimidated by how busy they must be with all the functions of the church, etc., but that's all taken care of, and what they are there for is you... trust me].

Answer 5

Thats an interesting Q. I believe your disinterest stems from your heart being more focused on this world than it is God and his church.

Jesus said there are different kinds of soil, soil that is inhabited by birds that eat the seed before it can grow. There is rocky soil where the seed springs right up but doesnt have roots so it immediately withers when the heat gets put on. There is crowded soil where weeds and thorns compete with and choke out the seed with the pleasures and worries of this world. And finally there is good soil that recieved the seed well and grows a good crop that can withstand the elements.

What kind of soil are you?

Answer 6

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. There is one way; get into a good bible study and devote yourself to learning His word. This transforms us from within. Just as eating good food strengthens our bodies, taking in the word of God grows us spiritually. If church disinterests you, find a church that teaches God's word and is alive in Christ; they are out there. Prayer should never "feel empty". This is the time for us to commune with the one who loves us. Please try and make this effort, and you will reap a harvest! God bless you and lead you.

Answer 7

Christianity is more likely to flourish in nations with a heavily Christian population. A person born in America is likely to be born into a Christian family, raised in a Christian church and to describe themselves as a Christian as an adult. That's because 80% of Americans are Christian. In Indonesia, for example, you're more likely to be born into a Muslim family. Religion is an element of culture, like diet and language, so the major determining factor is the place of your birth.

Answer 8

First of all you have to except you are a sinner like everybody else. Second you have to believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and rose again. Third you have to repent of your sins and hand it over over God who can and will forgive you.You have to mean it when you ask for forgivness. Then you have to invite Jesus into your heart and make him Lord of your life. Jesus said besides him you cannot do anything. Ask for his protection. Know that Jesus died so you can be reunited with the Father in Heaven. Thank Jesus for that. Jesus did not deserve to go through any of that , we do. Jesus came to do the will of his Father and completed it. Thank him for that. Tell him that you are grateful that Jesus did complete his Fathers work, even though it was tough at times. Jesus was obedient to his Father because he loved his Father so much. Thank him for that. Thank Jesus that you are alive today.Tell Jesus how much you appreciate him. Let Jesus know not matter what that you will never reject him, because you are his sister and Jesus loves you. Jesus is your brother and friend and is your best friend. Jesus will never leave you. Jesus has not left you. Jesus loves his beloved sister(you) and will not let anything bad come near you. Thank him for that. Everyday from your heart thank Jesus because of who he is.

Answer 9

Al I can say is this; we have books like the Bible and other scrips and scrolls and whatnot . All we can do is read them and then get down on our knees and truly want to have as you said "a personal relationship with Jesus" by praying to be more Christlike by changing our attitude nad perspective on many things. It isn't going to happen over night, but it will take effort on your part to want to change

Answer 10

Spend time in His Word. I find the Blue Letter Bible very convenient. It has search, concordances, commentaries and the like.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.html

Another good site for study is GotQuestions.org.
Fascinating place. Tons of answers.
http://www.gotquestions.org/

Perhaps a daily devotional. I like Daily Bread.
http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb.shtml

Prayer is always a good option.

God bless you.