November 1: He Is Not Far Away

What would it look like to actually know God, not just know about Him?

This month walks through Step Eleven. In the original wording, it reads: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

That’s a long sentence, but notice the heart of it. Conscious contact. Not just believing God exists. Not just going to church or saying grace. Being aware of Him. Talking with Him. Listening for Him. Day by day.

For many people in recovery, prayer was a last resort. Something you did from the floor of a bathroom at three in the morning. “God, if You get me out of this, I’ll never drink again.” Those prayers count. God heard them. Many people’s recovery started with one. But Step Eleven asks for something steadier. Not emergency calls. A relationship.

Paul was speaking to a crowd of people in Athens who had altars to all kinds of gods, including one labeled “to an unknown god.” And he told them the God they were groping for was not far from any of them. In Him we live and move and have our being. He’s not hiding. He’s closer than your next breath.

That’s good news if prayer feels awkward or distant. You don’t have to climb up to God. You don’t have to say the right words or feel the right feelings. You just have to turn toward Him, the way you’d turn toward someone standing next to you.

This month’s readings will look at prayer in the morning, through the day and at night. They’ll look at prayer when it feels empty, prayer for people you resent, prayer on hard holidays, and gratitude. Some days will be simple. Some will stretch you. All of them are about drawing near to the God who is already near.

If you use the Steps & Scripture app, there’s a short morning routine and a verse each day to help you start. A notebook and a quiet chair work too.

One thing today

Find two quiet minutes. Sit still, and say, “God, I’m here. I want to know You.” Then just be quiet and listen. That’s the whole practice for today.

A prayer

Lord, You’re not far from me, even when You feel far. I want more than a God I call in emergencies. Teach me to pray. Teach me to listen. Draw me closer this month. Amen.

This month we walk through Step Eleven.

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