Another way to develop intimacy with God is through times of praise, thanksgiving and worship.
The bible says in Psalm 107:8-9 that we must give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds, and 1 Chronicles 16:34 it says to give thanks for He is good and His mercy endures forever!
One of the ways we do this is by making a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! (Psalm 95:1-3)
Even though we are instructed to worship God, it shouldn't be seen as something that we have to do, nor should it be a formality or a procedure we have to follow. It should stem out of our relationship with Him.
If you're in a loving relationship with something, chances are you're going to tell them how you feel about them, this is no different when it comes to our relationship with God. Therefore this time spent with Him is a personal experience / personal interaction. It's one where we shouldn't care about how we sound or what the person standing next to us thinks; where we shouldn't be concerned about any expectations others may have because it's not meant for them, it's meant for the person that we're addressing it to, and that's God.
Because of this, I believe it's important that we do our best to be "present" in those moments and not allow our attention to drift elsewhere. That we also come to a place where we mean what we say and not just sing along to words off a screen because we feel we have to. It should come from the heart. It should be sincere and genuine.
We need to keep in mind that God is interested in why we do what we do (2 Corinthians 9:7, Matthew 15:8). Meaning that even though we can receive hope and encouragement from our time spent in praise and worship, it's also important that we do so having the right motive and heart attitude when it comes to spending time with God in this manner. I believe that our times of praise, thanksgiving and worship should always be directed towards God. Our intention should always be to give Him the glory for all that He is, all that He's done and all that He continues to do ... and that the focus shouldn't be based on us or what we can get out of it.
Praise, thanksgiving and worship is something we should desire to do because we can't help but be grateful for all the times that He's shown us mercy, forgiveness and patience. For the hope, encouragement and help we receive from Him. For the salvation, restoration, purpose and belonging we find in Him ... and so much more. ...
God loves us so much, and the realization of this truth, should cause us to reciprocate that love back to Him in praise, thanksgiving and worship.
Amen
I've added the below question and answer section about certain aspects of praise and worship that I believe will encourage you and that can be shared with others as well who may be struggling in this area:
Are we allowed to sing unto God?
Ephesians 5:19 - speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Hebrews 13:15 - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Psalm 95:1 - Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Hebrews 2:12 - I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.
Psalm 105:2 - Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!
Psalm 149:1 - Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints.
Q1 - Are we allowed to clap our hands?
Psalm 47:1 - Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
Q2 - Are we allowed to lift our hands?
Psalm 63:4 - Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.
Psalm 134:2 - Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
Q3 - Are we allowed to dance before the Lord?
Psalm 149:3 - Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
Psalm 150:4 - Praise Him with the timbrel and dance.
Q 4 - Are we allowed to use musical instruments?
Psalm 98:4-6 - Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp, With the harp and the sound of a psalm, With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.
Psalm 150:3-5 - Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
2 Chronicles 5:13,14 - Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying:
“For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,”
that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
We are also able to teach and receive encouragement from songs:
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Amen