18th-24th August 2025
Recently, while spending time with my grandkids, I had one of those moments that deeply touched my heart. I was reading them a story and, as I read, they snuggled in close, their little hands resting on my arm, their warm presence right beside me. If I could have stopped time I would have and just savoured the moment. There is a similar feeling when they arrive at our home and haven’t seen us for a while, they just run towards me and wrap their arms around me with joy and trust. For full disclosure, Vivienne normally gets the first hugs and considerably more than I normally receive! What I love, however, is the pure expression of joy and love that is unfiltered, unforced, and conveys that sense of closeness.
In moments like this, I am reminded of how God invites us to draw near to him. Just as children instinctively reach out to someone they trust and love, we too are called to come near to our Heavenly Father.
In James 4:8 we read, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Isn’t that just a beautiful promise, a hope filled promise?
God isn’t standing far off, waiting for us to reach perfection before he comes close to us. He is present, welcoming, and desiring closeness every moment of every day. Like a loving grandparent who opens their arms wide, God longs for our nearness too, he is not interested in our performance, he is interested in us, who we are, his beloved sons and daughters and he delights in our desire to simply be with him.
When children draw near to someone they love, they do so without fear or shame. They don’t worry if they’ve been loud or messy. They trust in the relationship because they know they are loved. Likewise, we can draw near to God in the same way, whether we are joyful, broken, or burdened. Our Heavenly Father welcomes us just as we are.
Drawing near to God happens in many different ways … through quiet reflection, heartfelt prayer, meditating on his word, singing songs of praise, walking on a beach, climbing a mountain, spending time with family and friends or just simply being still and enjoying his presence.
Let your heart remember this truth: God is not far, he is near. He doesn’t need to be chased because he is always present. Just like my grandchildren run to my open arms, we can all run to God in the same way, boldly, honestly and full of expectation.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
Heavenly Father, today I choose to draw near to you. I quiet my heart and acknowledge your presence with me. Thank you for your promise that when I take even the smallest step towards you, you respond with love and nearness. I don’t have to come to you in strength or perfection, but rather in faith and recognition of my reliance on you for all things. Help me to let go of the things that distract me from spending time with you. Deepen my desire to experience the reality of your closeness. Teach me to learn how to rest in your embrace like a child resting safely with someone they love. I love you Father, Amen.
TUESDAY
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge."
Psalm 73:28
Heavenly Father, thank you for being my place of safety. In a world full of turmoil and uncertainty, it is good to be near you. There are so many things happening across the world that are so hard to understand, and I constantly feel the need to come near to you, to find refuge, shelter and rest in your presence. Show me how to make you my constant refuge, not just in trouble, but in daily life. Help me to bring all my concerns to you in prayer, trusting that you are sovereign over all things. May I find joy, peace and rest in your nearness today. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
"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." Hebrews 4:16
Heavenly Father, thank you for the access that has been given to me through your Son, Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that it is because of his sacrifice for my sin that I can come boldly into your presence, not with fear, but with faith. Today, I come to your throne of grace knowing that I will find mercy and grace in my times of need. Help me to never shrink back with any sense of shame or unworthiness but instead walk forward towards you knowing that I am dearly loved and welcomed into your presence. Amen.
THURSDAY
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." Psalm 145:18
Heavenly Father, never let me feel that you are distant because your word constantly reminds me that you are near, even when I don’t feel that this is true. As I cry out to you in prayer today, help me to trust your word and to know that you are right here with me now. Enable me to be truthful with you as I come to understand that you know me better than I know myself and there is nothing I can hide from you. Amen.
FRIDAY
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
Heavenly Father, I want to learn what it means to seek you with my whole heart. Help me to remove distractions and barriers that stop me from being still and knowing that you are my loving Heavenly Father, that you are the Creator God and that I am your child. Help me to realise that you never hide from me but rather your desire is to be found and known. Create in me a heart that continually grows in its longing to know you more than anything else. This is such a hard prayer to pray but help me to mean it. Draw me deeper into my relationship with you, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SATURDAY
"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Dear Jesus, I come to you today carrying burdens that I know you want to carry for me. I find it so hard to hand them over to you as I wrestle with the desire to be in control and solve my own problems. Remove my independence and make me dependent on you. Thank you for the invitation to come to you, to be open about how weary and burdened I am feeling. Thank you that I don’t have to pretend to be strong but rather to come as I am and find rest, grace and peace in your presence. May your nearness lift the heaviness I am feeling and refresh my soul today, I pray. Amen.
SUNDAY
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6
Heavenly Father, I seek you today, not as some distant figure who is always absent but rather as a loving father who is always near. Save me from ever taking the gift of your presence for granted or neglecting the reality of this truth. Help me to understand how I can tune my heart to recognise your nearness and stir up within me a holy urgency to respond to your call in my life. Let today be one of fresh closeness, renewed connection, and a deepening relationship with you. Thank you for always being near to me, even when I wander away. Thank you for being my Shepherd. I love you, Father. Amen.