Having a personal relationship with God begins the moment we realize our need for Him, admit we are sinners, and in faith receive Jesus Christ as Savior. God, our heavenly Father, has always desired to be close to us, to have a relationship with us....
Those who have a personal relationship with God
- include God in their daily lives,
- pray to Him,
- read His word, and meditate on verses in an effort to get to know Him even better.
- pray for wisdom (James 1:5), which is the most valuable asset we could ever have.
- They take their requests to Him, asking in Jesus’ name (John 15:16).
Jesus is the one who loves us enough to give His life for us (Romans 5:8), and He is the one who bridged the gap between us and God.
Read the full article What does it mean to have a personal relationship with God?
John Piper writes...
... What a relationship with God means is that we are receiving communications from God about himself both through his word and through history...
...We receive his communications and, by the Spirit, are made alive to them....
...A relationship with God happens most fundamentally by the Spirit through the word. Don't try to run away from the Bible to find a relationship with God in the woods or in some kind of aesthetic encounter with nature or with a great piece of art...
"Don't be discouraged, Don't be dismayed, Fear not, I'll be with you wherever you go" (Isaiah 41:10). You remember those words and call them to mind, because they are from a promise in the Bible. Then you say, "Thank you Lord. I will take this next step of obedience." And at that moment a relationship has been enjoyed and a communion has been experienced. And that's how you walk moment by moment with God through this life.
Here's the link to John Piper's article and audio