The Favour of God: Plead, in Prayer
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The concept of pleading for the favor of God in prayer is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting a profound relationship between the believer and the Divine. This act of pleading is not merely a request for blessings but an earnest appeal for God's grace, mercy, and intervention in the life of the faithful.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who pleaded for God's favor through prayer. One of the most notable instances is found in the life of Moses. In Exodus 33:13, Moses implores God, saying, "Now if indeed I have found favor in Your sight, please let me know Your ways, that I may know You and find favor in Your sight. Remember that this nation is Your people." Here, Moses seeks not only guidance but a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing the connection between divine favor and understanding God's will.

Similarly, in the book of Nehemiah, we see Nehemiah's heartfelt plea for God's favor as he prepares to approach King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah 1:11 records his prayer: "O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." Nehemiah's prayer underscores the importance of seeking God's favor in times of need and the belief that divine intervention can change the course of events.

Theological Significance

Pleading for God's favor in prayer is an acknowledgment of human dependence on the Almighty. It is a recognition that all good things come from God and that His favor is essential for success, protection, and spiritual growth. This act of pleading is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, with the psalmists often crying out for God's favor and mercy. Psalm 119:58 states, "I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." This verse highlights the earnestness and sincerity required in seeking God's favor, as well as the assurance that God is faithful to His promises.

Practical Application

For believers today, pleading for God's favor in prayer involves a humble approach, recognizing one's own limitations and the need for divine assistance. It is an invitation for God to work in one's life, aligning personal desires with His divine will. This practice encourages a deeper reliance on God and fosters a spirit of gratitude and worship.

Incorporating this form of prayer into daily life can transform the believer's relationship with God, making it more intimate and dynamic. By consistently seeking God's favor, believers are reminded of His constant presence and the assurance that He listens and responds to the cries of His people.

Conclusion

The act of pleading for God's favor in prayer is a timeless expression of faith, deeply embedded in the biblical tradition. It serves as a powerful reminder of the believer's reliance on God's grace and the transformative power of divine favor in the life of the faithful.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 33:12
And Moses said to the LORD, See, you say to me, Bring up this people: and you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, I know you by name, and you have also found grace in my sight.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 11:15
And if you deal thus with me, kill me, I pray you, out of hand, if I have found favor in your sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer
... We come to ask the favour of God; and if we have not his love all we enjoy is cursed
to us. ... God loves to have us plead with him, and use arguments in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Grant it unto me; it shall be a favour shown unto ... When you can plead a promise and
drop that prayer into ... it miscarry; it shall still prevail with God and bring ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... are not only devoid of every thing which can procure the favour of God for them ... Genuine
prayer is not that by which we arrogantly extol ourselves before God ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Order and Argument in Prayer
... not feel that anything was sought for from God"a great ... of such a thing, and therefore
must plead for it ... offspring might be regarded with the favour which thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/order and argument in prayer.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... You will be encouraged to plead with the Lord because you will remember what you
have aforetime received at his hand ... God has his set time to favour us, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

The Righteousness of Faith
... foot, made no account of, or thou wilt never find favour in God's sight; because ...
as a mere sinner, guilty, lost, undone, having nothing to plead, nothing to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

Romans x. 13
... So that, supposing Persons can even plead at last that ... the Ground of our Expectation
of the Favour of God ... of their Religion; for the praying to God, the hearing ...
/.../sermon x romans x 13.htm

Salvation by Faith
... having nothing, neither righteousness nor works, to plead, his mouth ... of his own good
pleasure, his mere favour, annexes thereto ... God will not cast out thy prayer ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

The Scripture Way of Salvation
... does not suppose any doubt of the favour of God ... infinitely desirable, were it the
will of God, that it ... has still nothing to pay, nothing to plead, but "Christ ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 43 the scripture way.htm

The Life that Can Pray
... Here on earth the influence of one who asks a favour for others depends ... true is this
of Elijah, the man who stood up to plead for the Lord God of Israel. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter v the life that.htm

Resources
Is Zechariah 11:12-13 a Messianic prophecy? | GotQuestions.org

What is the definition of grace? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Pharaoh give Joseph so much power? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Favour

The Favour of God is the Source of Mercy

The Favour of God is the Source of Spiritual Life

The Favour of God: Christ the Special Object of

The Favour of God: David

The Favour of God: Disappointment of Enemies an Assured Evidence of

The Favour of God: Domestic Blessings Traced To

The Favour of God: Given in Answer to Prayer

The Favour of God: Job

The Favour of God: Mercy and Truth Lead To

The Favour of God: Naphtali

The Favour of God: Plead, in Prayer

The Favour of God: Pray For

The Favour of God: Saints: Encompassed By

The Favour of God: Saints: Exalted In

The Favour of God: Saints: Obtain

The Favour of God: Saints: Preserved Through

The Favour of God: Saints: Sometimes Tempted to Doubt

The Favour of God: Saints: Strengthened By

The Favour of God: Saints: Victorious Through

The Favour of God: Samuel

The Favour of God: Spiritual Wisdom Leads To

The Favour of God: The Virgin Mary

The Favour of God: The Wicked: do not Obtain

The Favour of God: The Wicked: Uninfluenced By

The Favour of God: To be Acknowledged

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Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

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Zealot (4 Occurrences)

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Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

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Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

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Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Favour of God: Naphtali
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