When we hear the word intimacy, many people immediately think of romantic or physical relationships. But the intimacy God desires with us isn’t carnal—it’s deeply spiritual, soul-healing, and rooted in love, not lust. The Lord is not looking for performance or religious obligation. He is looking for connection—fellowship between His Spirit and ours.
This blog isn’t about earthly relationships or human affection. It’s an invitation to draw closer to the Lord, to know Him as your Savior, your Helper, your Deliverer, and your Friend. True intimacy with the Almighty brings healing to the soul, freedom to the mind, and restoration to the heart.
God created you for relationship, not religion. Whether you’ve walked with Him for years or are just beginning your journey, there’s always a deeper place to go with Him. A place where fears are silenced, trust is restored, and His love becomes more than just theology—it becomes your reality.
What Is Intimacy with God? Rediscovering Spiritual Closeness
Most believers have experienced moments of closeness with God—during worship, prayer, or when reading the Word. But many stop short of pursuing ongoing fellowship. We pray, we ask, we serve—but we often forget to simply be with the Lord.
True intimacy means walking in union with the Holy Spirit, not just knowing about Him, but being led, filled, and refreshed by Him. It’s the difference between hearing someone’s voice from a distance and sitting at their feet in conversation.
As I grew in the Lord, there came a point when worship shifted. No longer was I simply lifting songs or praying through a list. I began experiencing the presence of God in tangible ways—encounters that brought clarity, peace, and healing. It was through these times of soaking in His presence that I began to understand what true intimacy with the Lord really meant.
John 4:24 (MEV) says,
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
This means letting down our walls, setting aside distractions, and giving God our undivided attention. It’s about authenticity—coming to Him as you are, and allowing Him to reveal who He is.
Leaning on the Lord: The Example of John
In John 13:23 (MEV), Scripture says,
“One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning on Jesus’ bosom.”
This disciple is widely understood to be John. What a powerful image—leaning in close to Jesus, not out of obligation, but trust. That posture wasn’t about physical comfort. It was about knowing the safety, the love, and the acceptance found in the Lord.
Many believers want this closeness, but something hinders them. Often it’s past pain—trauma, betrayal, or fear. When we’ve been hurt or misunderstood in the natural, we may resist spiritual connection because we associate vulnerability with risk.
I remember one particular vision I had with the Lord. He came toward me in the Spirit and reached out with a gesture of love, wanting to place His finger in my heart. Not physically—but symbolically. It represented healing and inner work. I pulled back—not because I didn’t love Him, but because I wasn’t ready to be open at that level.
That moment revealed something: areas of emotional pain that I had not fully surrendered. I realized I needed further healing. And so, I allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me through it. I prayed. I invited others to walk with me in prayer. And as I did, breakthrough came.
In a later encounter, I saw the Lord again. This time, there was peace. I didn’t resist. I allowed Him to come close. In that moment, I understood the power of being still in His presence—not striving, not analyzing—just receiving.
These experiences weren’t just personal. They became tools in ministry. I began asking others during prayer: “Can you envision yourself being close to Jesus? Can you imagine Him touching your heart?” The answers often revealed whether someone was walking in freedom—or if they still needed inner healing.
Why Many Believers Struggle with Spiritual Intimacy
Your ability to receive love—whether from God or others—can be affected by your past. Experiences of trauma, neglect, or dysfunctional relationships create emotional filters. They condition us to expect rejection, pain, or disappointment even when love is genuine.
For some, even receiving kindness can be uncomfortable. I once had a friend insist on giving me a pedicure while I was ministering out of town. At first, I resisted. It felt too personal. But as I sat and allowed her to serve me in that way, I realized God was using it to reveal something deeper—I struggled to receive love and care, even in simple forms.
The Holy Spirit began showing me how these small expressions of love in the natural were preparing me to better receive from Him in the spiritual. I was being healed from patterns of self-protection, guardedness, and self-reliance.
If you find yourself uncomfortable with affection, physical touch, or receiving gifts—it could be a sign that there’s still some emotional healing needed. And that’s okay. Healing is a process. But it’s one the Lord wants to walk with you through.
When Counterfeits Enter Our Spiritual Encounters
A word of caution: not every spiritual encounter is from God. If you ever begin experiencing unclean visions or sensual imagery during prayer or worship, that is not the Lord. It may be a demonic spirit such as incubus or succubus, which mimics intimacy to defile and deceive.
2 Corinthians 11:14 (MEV) says,
“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.”
If this happens:
- Stop immediately.
- Renounce any unclean spirits.
- Invite the Holy Spirit to purify the atmosphere.
- Pray in the Spirit and plead the blood of Jesus over your mind.
Prayer:
“Father God, I repent of any open doors. I rebuke every demonic spirit trying to interfere with my worship and encounters. I command every unclean spirit to go in Jesus’ name. Holy Spirit, fill me with Your purity and presence.”
Breaking the Blocks: Learning to Receive
Receiving love, affection, and even gifts can be a struggle for many. I’ve seen it often—people say they believe God loves them, yet they can’t receive His blessings. The disconnect isn’t in theology; it’s in the soul.
Ask yourself:
- Can I receive compliments without deflecting?
- Do I feel awkward when someone blesses me with a gift?
- Am I more comfortable giving than receiving?
Often, people think they’re being humble by refusing help or turning down blessings. But true humility is being able to receive with thanksgiving—especially from the Lord.
I remember receiving a purse from someone I didn’t know well. It was easy to accept. But when someone closer to me gave me a more personal, valuable gift, I resisted. Why? Because I knew it came from a place of deep care—and that level of love challenged something in me.
It’s the same with God. When we resist receiving His love, it’s usually not about unworthiness—it’s about a wound. The good news is that the Holy Spirit reveals and heals.
Where Am I in My Intimacy with God?
- What does intimacy with God mean to me personally?
2. Can I visualize being close to Jesus in prayer?
3. What past experiences make it hard for me to trust or receive love?
4. How do I respond when others try to bless or serve me?
5. What would it look like for me to be more open in my relationship with the Lord?
Final Thoughts: He’s Waiting for You
Jesus desires to commune with you—not just on Sundays, but every moment of every day. He wants to walk with you, speak to you, and be the one who restores what the world has damaged.
You were made for His presence.
Psalm 27:8 (MEV) says,
“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’”
Let this be your heart’s cry today.
Receive intimacy from the Lord with prophetic writings and poetry penned from heaven in Kathy’s book, Heaven’s Ink available https://www.kathydegrawministries.org/shop/ or Amazon .
Here are three worship songs to bring you into a place of intimacy.
