His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the basis of love for God is found in the Bible (the book of Deuteronomy) where it commands us “love the Lord your God with all your heart…” and that this love is not merely keeping commandments but giving God your heart and your whole life.

Practices that lead to love
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains practical steps: being occupied with God in thought and time (thinking of Him, speaking with Him, and bringing Him into every work), setting aside time for warm, longing prayer, and transforming everything we see around us to remind us of God (turning material things into spiritual reminders).

Belonging and thanksgiving
He calls to remember God’s continuous kindnesses—from creation to daily deliverance—and to ascribe every good to God’s hand not only to ourselves, because remembering the favors strengthens love.

Sensing God’s presence
He encourages training to sense God’s presence in daily life: inviting Him into every work, attributing success to Him, and confessing our weakness and need for God’s grace.

Meditation on God’s attributes and the saints
He advises meditating on God’s beautiful attributes (compassion, mercy, power, beauty) and on the lives of the saints as a living example that ignites love and stirs desire for a life of detachment and repentance.

Separation from love of the world and repentance
He warns that love of the world and its pleasures is an obstacle to loving God, and points out that repentance and leaving obstructive things (or living a life of detachment) is the way to reach deeper love.

Love of neighbor as a path to love God
He states that practical love of neighbor is evidence of our ability to love the unseen God; commitment to loving people leads to love of God.

Practical conclusion
The lecture ends with an invitation to daily practice: prayers with affection and longing, remembering God’s favors, reading the lives of the saints, and practically bringing God into every action so that true love grows from the heart.

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