I get it. Sometimes, you read the Bible, and characters like Enoch and Moses appear unrealistic – it feels like they’ve set a standard for spirituality I can’t reach, and it’s super discouraging sometimes.

But the truth is that God wants us to encounter Him at those levels – deep and intimate. It might not always feel that way, but it’s the truth.

I walked most of my spiritual learning journey with no available mentor to guide me or lead the way, which really just meant that I learned by making mistakes. Lots and lots of mistakes. I offended many people in the process, got my heart bruised a few times, and got rebuked by His gentle voice many times.

The truth is that God wants us to encounter Him at those levels – deep and intimate.

I wouldn’t trade that journey for anything, but I also believe that this next generation rising up won’t have to go mentor-less. You don’t have to pursue the prophetic alone because forerunners have already gone before you to prepare the road you must tread. You won’t need to go in blind. You get to stand on our shoulders; our ceiling is your floor, and you will do far greater things than we’ve done.

Here are some practical things that draw me in to deep worship and help me hear from God. Some may work for you, and some may not. And there may be other things that I haven’t listed here.

NEXT TIME YOU DO YOUR QUIET TIME, TRY …

1. DANCE

Dance is powerful for me because it bypasses the mind and heart and goes straight to my spirit.

It pleases the Lord, and here’s how I know: I’ve only ever danced before Him privately in my prayer room, and yet I can’t tell you how many times total strangers have actually come up to me and said, “You dance before the Lord. The Lord says that you are His dancer and He is pleased. Your movements create things.” These words always move me to tears because God knows what is done in the secret place, and He delights in it.

There are many different ways to dance – sometimes I dance with the tambourine, sometimes with a special dance scarf, most times just with my hands – but it’s really just super simple. Let worship music play, feel how Holy Spirit is moving you, and just follow Him. There’s really no list of steps to follow when it comes to worship dance.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

There are times that I’ve danced in His arms in a huge palace ballroom. Many times, it has torn down strongholds and created heavenly realities in my own life and home.

Some days the dance is simple and twirly. Some days it’s intense and punctuated. Other days I don’t dance at all because He just wants me to sit with Him.

The Holy Spirit guides us as we learn to move as He moves, so there’s no shame or embarrassment to try in His presence!

2. MUSIC

I believe there’s music 24/7 up in heaven, so I think it works here on earth too!

Some days I worship on the piano, sometimes the guitar or the flute, but mostly I play songs on the computer so I’m free to sing, bow, lift my hands and dance.

I’m not a very musical person, but God moves and speaks often through words and songs. I feel like that’s because music opens our senses, and “the whole person, with all his senses, with both mind and body, needs to be involved in genuine worship” (Jerry Kerns).

3. SILENCE

This is sometimes the deepest way to engage with God.

When we come to the end of all things, including ourselves, and come face to face with God Almighty, are there any words left to say? All our glib words become mere babble, and we stand unmasked in His presence. At that point, we can only stand surrendered, silent, and remember that He is King. That is the moment that true worship bursts forth from our hearts.

4. JOURNALING

This is an incredible, vastly underrated tool. I could go into the benefits of journaling, but I feel like this article did a pretty good job of it already.

5. READ THE BIBLE

Last in this list but certainly not least! The Bible is life. It is food and living water. It nourishes and cleanses. It convicts and builds us up. The Bible is so important.

These are some of the things that take place during my quiet time, and they’ve helped me encounter God through many different seasons. I hope this list helps you in some way, but at the end of the day, these are just tools — what we need the most is Holy Spirit. He is the One who will guide you in prayer (Romans 8:26), in worship (John 4:23-24), in understanding God’s word (John 14:26), and in knowing God (John 16:13-16).

Invite Him in today – He will provide the hunger, and He will make a way for you to get there.

This post was originally featured on Samantha’s blog.