Do you ever want to send a prayer for favor? Before we can pray for God’s favor, it’s important that we understand what scripture means by favor.
The word favor has been thrown around a lot in Christian circles. Many times it has been connected to wealth or material blessings.
But the way that favor is described in scripture goes much deeper than our physical possessions.
The popular Christian site for curious questions, Got Questions, states that the best way to define the word favor is “demonstrated delight.”
When someone has found favor in the sight of another person, it means that they have found approval from them.
When you favor someone you take delight in them, and enjoy being with them. In a similar way, God’s favor is shown to those who delight in Him.
When we seek Him, and our desire is to honor Him in our lives, He shows favor toward us.
It is important to note that favor does not mean that we do not ever experience difficulties.
Nor does it mean that those who seem to be “prospering” have found God’s favor, or approval. The world’s definition of prospering is not God’s definition of prospering.
In Isaiah 66:2 we’re told, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at my word.
It is humbling to see that the qualifications for God’s favor have nothing to do with our own abilities, background, or our own righteousness.
God looks beyond all of the external things, and He looks at the heart.
Firstly, He says that He shows favor towards those who have a humble and contrite spirit.
This reminds me of Psalm 51:17 which says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
In other words, it is not incense or burnt offerings that God desires.
The sacrifice that is a pleasing aroma to God is that of a heart that is contrite and broken before Him. This is of a heart that sees its need for God, and feels sorrowful over its sin.
Secondly, He goes on to describe those who He looks on with favor as themselves who tremble at His word.
To tremble at God’s word means that we have reverence for His word. We take His word seriously, and it is our desire to do what it says.
This is not merely a response out of fear, but ultimately out of our love and devotion toward God.
I hope that this has helped set the scene a little. All this is to say that God looks to and seeks out those who delight in Him and who love His commandments.
We may find His favor through His guidance, protection, or blessings in our lives. Again, finding favor in God’s sight does not mean that we will not face hardships.
But we are reminded that even in our toughest times, He looks at those who delight in Him, amid their trials, and grants them His peace and presence.
3 Prayers for Favor
Prayer for God To Establish Your Steps
Psalm 37:23
“The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;”
When we delight in God, we not only seek His will but we trust that He has our lives in the palm of His hands.
Scripture tells us that God establishes the steps of the person who delights in His way. To delight in His way is to live according to His word.
When we are seeking God’s will, and following it in our lives, He allows what we do to align with His will and blesses it.
Heavenly Father,
Your word says that You are the one who establishes our path,
though we may have our own plans.
I ask that You would allow my desires to align with Your desires.
You know the plans that I have for my life. ‘
If there are any that are outside of Your will for me, I ask that You would show me.
Help me to grow in my delight of Your word, and to seek Your will.
Help me to commit all I do to You, and trust in Your time and ways.
May I find favor in Your sight,
and see You establish my every step.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for God To Work Out All Things For Your Good
Romans 8:28-29
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.“
The beauty of a life in Christ is that He takes all the good and the bad that we have experienced in life, and He creates a beautiful work from it.
That work is ultimately in how He shapes us to become more and more like Christ.
Even when we are facing tough times, we can seek God’s favor, and rest in the knowledge that He will take all the highs and lows and work it out for our good, and His glory.
Lord,
Sometimes it’s hard to see how everything will come together for good.
My idea of good is not always what You view as good.
I acknowledge that, and I humbly ask that You would shield me with Your favor during the hard, confusing times.
I ask that You would allow the things in my life,
past and present to work out for my good, and Your glory.
Help me to look more and more like Christ, as I cling to You through each trial that I endure.
Thank You for always being with me,
and being my peace in the storm.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for God To Give Ear To Your Cries
Psalm 34:15
“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;”
It is comforting knowing that God’s eyes are towards His people.
When we are facing difficult times, and we are hurting or sorrowful, God does not turn His face away.
Instead, scripture tells us that His ears are turned toward our cry.
This means that He listens to our cries, and cares for us. He does not ignore it, even in times when we feel as though He is far.
All we have to do is draw near to Him, and He will draw near to us.
Dear God,
My heart has felt broken and my hope has felt empty.
I ask that You turn Your face towards me in my time of need.
I ask that You would attend to my plea and reach out Your hand towards me.
I come to You, bringing my heavy burdens, and all my anxieties, knowing that You care for me.
Help me to see Your hand working in my life.
Remind me that You are always present,
and that I can always turn to You.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for God’s Protection
Psalm 5:11
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
God is able to see where our trust lies. He knows when we are trusting in our own abilities and wisdom, or if our trust lies in others or things.
He calls us to place our hope and trust in Him. He protects and preserves His people.
This gives us much reason to rejoice and be glad, because the God of all creation looks after us and has become our shield.
Lord,
Thank You for Your undeserving favor over my life.
It is sometimes hard to comprehend that the God who made all things,
and who made me, is always looking out for me.
I praise You, and thank You for Your protection over my life.
I ask that You would remind me to take refuge in You.
Keep me from placing my confidence and trust in myself or other things. You alone are my refuge and my hope.
Please place a song of rejoicing within my heart,
and make me a living testimony of Your goodness and grace.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
I hope that you feel encouraged and challenged to seek God, and desire His will more than ever. As You seek Him, You will find His favor.