How can I love prayer and remembrance [of God] and distance myself from worldly desires?

What helps one to love prayer and remembrance (dhikr) and to stay away from desires are:

1. Supplication and humble entreaty to Allah: For the hearts of His servants are between two of the fingers of the Most Merciful, He turns them as He wills. 2. Righteous companionship: That encourages goodness and assists in it. 3. Beneficial knowledge: Knowing the religious and worldly benefits of prayer and remembrance, and knowing the harms and punishments of desires. 4. Contemplation of Allah's Names and Attributes: To increase one's love, fear, and hope in Him. 5. Frequent recitation of the Qur'an with deliberation and contemplation: For it guides to all good and forbids all evil.