And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:30
Isn’t it amazing that the very first commandment God gave us is to love Him? He is the Almighty, the all-powerful Creator of the universe, yet above all else, what He desires from us is our love. This alone shows just how much He loves us and longs for a relationship with us.
God didn’t ask for our service first. He didn’t demand our reverence or even our worship before anything else. Instead, His first request was simple: that we love Him. Because the truth is, when you genuinely love someone, honoring them and doing what pleases them comes naturally.
When you love God, trusting Him becomes easier. Your faith deepens, and your heart aligns with His will. And as the Bible says, you can’t truly love God without loving others. Love for God transforms the way we treat people, making us more compassionate, forgiving, and kind. It all starts with loving Him.
But how do you love God? How can you fall in love with Him more deeply? How can you strengthen your relationship with Him? Below, we’ll discuss seven ways to help you love God more and grow closer to Him.
How to love God
1. Get to know Him
In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
You can’t truly love someone if you don’t know them. To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, you must first seek to know Him.
The best way to know God is through His Word. The Bible is His personal message to us. It reveals His character, His promises, and His love. If you want to grow in love for God, start by reading and meditating on Scripture. The more you learn about Him, the deeper your love for Him will grow.
2. Communicate with God (Pray)
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14
Communication is the foundation of any strong relationship, and your relationship with God is no different. If you want to love Him more, you need to talk to Him,pray often, pray sincerely, and pray everywhere.
Prayer isn’t just about asking for things; it’s about having a conversation with God. Talk to Him, but also take the time to listen. He speaks in different ways, through dreams, through the words of others, through the quiet stirrings in your heart. When you tune in, you’ll recognize His voice and feel His presence more deeply.
3. Visit Him
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
If you want to grow in love for God, spend time in His house. Make it a habit to attend church regularly, not just on Sundays but whenever possible. Engage in church activities, join prayer meetings, volunteer in ministry, and participate in outreach programs. Even something as simple as helping organize events or creating custom shirts for your church group can deepen your sense of belonging and strengthen your faith.
Life gets busy, but when you truly love someone, you make time for them, no matter how packed your schedule is. The same applies to God. If you desire to love Him more, make Him a priority in your life. Put Him first, and everything else will fall into place.
4. Obey Him
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22
Loving God isn’t just about knowing His Word, it’s about living it. The Bible is filled with God’s commandments, and to truly love Him, we must obey them.
When you love someone, you naturally want to make them happy. You avoid things that would hurt them, and you strive to do what pleases them. The same applies to our relationship with God. If we truly love Him, we will follow His guidance, honor His will, and let His Word shape our actions.
5. Exalt Him
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord
Psalm 150:6
Praise the Lord!
Worship is an expression of love. Sing praises to God, exalt His name, and glorify Him in all that you do. The more you worship, the more your heart will overflow with love for Him.
Listen to worship songs, meditate on His goodness, and let your praise be sincere. Reflect on all that God has done for you, and allow your worship to draw you closer to Him.
6. Show others that you love them
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:40
The way you treat others is a reflection of your love for God. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches that acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity toward others are acts of love toward Him.
If you love God, it should be evident in how you treat people, through kindness, patience, and grace. Loving God means loving others, because when you serve them, you serve Him.
7. Tell others about Him
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2
When you love someone, you can’t help but talk about them. You share their qualities, their kindness, and the impact they’ve had on your life. Loving God is no different, you should feel inspired to tell others about Him.
Share His goodness with your friends, family, and anyone who needs to hear about His love. Testify of what He has done in your life, and spread His message with joy.
By doing these seven things, you will grow in love for God and develop a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him.
Prayer to love God more
Dear God,
I pray that You grant me the grace to love You more each day. Help me to love You above all things, placing You at the center of my heart and life. May my desire for You surpass my desire for money, wealth, or any earthly possession. Remove every distraction that keeps me from giving You my all.
Lord, I want my heart to seek You first in everything I do. Instill in me a deep longing to obey Your commandments and walk in Your ways. Fill my mind with thoughts of You, and let my words and actions be a reflection of my love for You.
Help me to meditate on Your Word so that I may know You more and grow in love for You. Teach me what it truly means to love You, for I know that in You alone is abundant life.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.
