You can live without a lot of things in life, but love is not one of them. I believe inside every man and woman is the desire to be loved—a desire to be accepted regardless of shortcomings or weaknesses, a desire to be what I call “someone’s favorite.” But what happens when you haven’t experienced love?

Consider Leah in the Bible. Imagine the heartache of knowing the man you married doesn’t love you, but loves your younger sister instead! (Genesis 29:18). Poor Leah. The pain of feeling unloved is devastating. Whether you feel unloved by a spouse, someone you’re dating, a parent, a sibling or even a friend, the experience often leads to heartbreak. You begin to think thoughts like these: I’m unlovable. No one will ever love me. I’m not worth loving.

If you’ve ever experienced these thoughts, I have news for you: you are loved. You can claim God’s promises to his people, like God’s message to the suffering people of Israel, in Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (ESV). God loves you regardless of your shortcomings or weaknesses. God loves you even when others do not. And God’s love is consistent—it will never run out.

Today, if you’re feeling unloved, turn to God’s Word—and pray these three prayers:

1. God, help me experience your love.
   The LORD your God is with you; his power gives you victory. The LORD will take delight in you, and in his love he will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you…– Zephaniah 3:17 (GNTD)
2. God, help me to trust in your love.
   Even if my father and mother should desert me, you will take care of me. – Psalm 27:10 (CEV)
3. God, help me not be afraid to be loved and to show love.
   There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment. We love because God first loved us.– 1 John 4:18-19 (GNTD)