Christopher, Hannah, and Gina are not alone. Many people from all around the world are convinced that God views them as his friends. What about you? Do you feel that you are close to God? Or would you like to be close or closer to him? Perhaps you wonder: ‘Is it really possible for a mere human to have a close relationship with Almighty God? And if so, how?’

BEING CLOSE TO GOD IS POSSIBLE

According to the Bible, it is possible to have a close personal relationship with God. The Bible states that God called the Hebrew patriarch Abraham “my friend.” (Isaiah 41:8) Note, too, the warm invitation recorded at James 4:8: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” Thus, it is clear that a close relationship​—a friendship—​with God is possible. But since God is invisible, how can you “draw close” to him and enjoy a good relationship with him?

To answer that question, consider what takes place in the development of a human friendship. It generally starts with two people getting to know each other’s names. Then, as they regularly communicate with each other, sharing thoughts and feelings, their friendship grows. And when they endeavor to do things for each other, their bond of friendship is strengthened. Something similar can be said of developing a close relationship with God. Let us see how this is so.

Can you think of any close friend of yours whose name you do not know? Likely not. A Bulgarian woman named Irina rightly observed, “It is not possible to be close to God if you don’t know his name.” Happily, as mentioned in the preceding article, God wants you to draw close to him. Therefore, by means of the Bible, he has in effect introduced himself to you by saying: “I am Jehovah. That is my name.”​—Isaiah 42:8.

Does it really matter to Jehovah whether you know and use his name or not? Consider this: God’s name, written with four Hebrew consonants known as the Tetragrammaton, appears in the original text of the Hebrew Scriptures nearly 7,000 times. That is far more often than any other name mentioned in the Bible. Surely this is evidence that Jehovah wants us to know and use his name.a

Some, though, may feel that because God is holy and almighty, it would be disrespectful to use his name. Of course, it would be wrong to use God’s name in an unworthy way, just as you would not misuse the name of your close friend. However, it is Jehovah’s will that those who love him honor his name and make it known. (Psalm 69:30, 31; 96:2, 8) Recall that Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” We can have a part in sanctifying God’s name by making it known. Doing so draws us closer to him.​—Matthew 6:9.

The Bible shows that God pays special attention to “those meditating on [or possibly, “treasuring”] his name.” (Malachi 3:16; footnote) Concerning such a one, Jehovah promises: “I will protect him because he knows my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in distress.” (Psalm 91:14, 15) Knowing and using Jehovah’s name does matter if we wish to enjoy a close relationship with him.

Whether in person or by phone, e-mail, video, or a letter, close friends communicate with each other as often as their circumstances allow. Thus, to be close to God, we need to communicate with him regularly. How, though, is this done?

We can speak to Jehovah by means of prayer. Prayer to God, however, is not the same as a casual conversation we might have with a peer. We have to recognize that when we pray, we are addressing our Creator, the Most High of the universe. This should move us to pray with a deep sense of respect and reverence. For our prayers to be favorably heard by God, we should also comply with certain requirements. Here are three of them.

First, prayers should be directed exclusively to Jehovah God​—not to Jesus, a “saint,” or an image. (Exodus 20:4, 5) The Bible clearly says: “In everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Second, prayers must be offered in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus himself explained: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Third, our prayers must be in harmony with God’s will. The Bible states: “No matter what we ask according to his will, he hears us.”a​—1 John 5:14.

Of course, a close relationship will not last if one person does all the talking. Just as friends enjoy two-way communication, we should allow God to speak to us and we should listen to him when he does. Do you know how God speaks to us?

Today, Jehovah God “speaks” to us through his written Word, the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Why do we say so? To illustrate: Suppose you received a letter from a close friend. After reading it, you might excitedly tell others, “I’ve just heard from my friend!” Yet, the communication was not spoken, but was in written form. In a similar way, by reading the Bible, you are allowing Jehovah to speak to you. Hence, Gina, quoted in the opening article, says, “I think that if I want God to view me as a friend, I must examine his ‘letter’ to us​—the Bible.” She adds, “Reading the Bible daily has drawn me closer to God.” Do you allow Jehovah to speak to you every day by reading his Word, the Bible, daily? Your doing so will help you feel closer to God.

“Whatever you would like, just say the word and I will be happy to do it.” You would probably hesitate to make such a statement to a total stranger or to a mere acquaintance. However, you would likely have no problem expressing such words to a dear friend. Close friends are naturally inclined to do for each other what is asked.

The Bible shows that Jehovah regularly does what he knows will bring pleasure to his worshippers. For example, King David, who enjoyed a close relationship with God, stated: “Many things you have done, O Jehovah my God, your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us. . . . They would be too numerous to recount!” (Psalm 40:5) More than that, Jehovah even does what is pleasing to those who do not yet know him, ‘satisfying them with food and filling their hearts with gladness.’​—Acts 14:17.

Since Jehovah delights in doing what brings pleasure to others, it is only reasonable to expect that those who want to be God’s friends would do the things that make his “heart rejoice.” (Proverbs 27:11) But what specifically can you do to please God? The Bible answers: “Do not forget to do good and to share what you have with others, for God is well-pleased with such sacrifices.” (Hebrews 13:16) Does this mean that doing good and sharing with others is all that is necessary to please Jehovah?

“Without faith it is impossible to please God well,” says the Bible. (Hebrews 11:6) Significantly, it was after “Abraham put faith in Jehovah” that “he came to be called Jehovah’s friend.” (James 2:23) Jesus Christ also emphasized the need to “exercise faith in God” if we are to enjoy God’s blessing. (John 14:1) So how can you acquire the faith that God looks for in those whom he draws close to himself? You can start by having a regular study of God’s Word, the Bible. In doing so, you will gain an “accurate knowledge of his will” and thus learn how to “please him fully.” Then, as you go on increasing in accurate knowledge of Jehovah and applying what you learn of his righteous requirements, your faith in him will grow and he will draw ever closer to you.​—Colossians 1:9, 10.

What can you do to be close to God? We have considered the following steps that you can take to cultivate a close relationship with him:

1. Know and use God’s name, Jehovah.

2. Communicate regularly with him by praying and studying his Word, the Bible.

3. Persistently do what pleases Jehovah.

Based on these criteria, would you say that you are doing what is needed to be close to God? Are there areas that you feel you can improve on? Understandably, effort is needed, but consider the results.

“Every effort put forth to develop a close relationship with God is worth it,” says Jennifer, in the United States. “This relationship brings many blessings: more trust in God, more understanding of his personality, but most of all, more love. There is no better way of life!”

If you would like to enjoy a close relationship with God, Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to help you. They can arrange to study the Bible with you, free of charge. You are also welcome to attend their Bible meetings at the local Kingdom Hall, where you will enjoy the association of those who treasure their relationship with God.a As you do so, you too will come to feel as did the psalmist who stated: “As for me, drawing near to God is good for me.”​—Psalm 73:28.