The concept of seeking the favor of God is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where individuals and communities earnestly sought divine approval and blessings. The favor of God is often associated with His grace, mercy, and benevolence, and is seen as essential for a life of spiritual fulfillment and success.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who prayed for God's favor. One of the most notable figures is Moses, who interceded for the Israelites, seeking God's favor to accompany them on their journey to the Promised Land. In Exodus 33:13 , Moses pleads, "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."

Similarly, King David frequently sought the favor of God in his prayers. In Psalm 119:58 , he declares, "I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." David's life exemplifies a continual pursuit of God's favor, recognizing it as a source of protection, guidance, and blessing.

The Importance of Prayer

Prayer is the primary means by which believers seek the favor of God. It is an act of humility and dependence, acknowledging that all good things come from the Lord. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises His favor to those who earnestly seek Him: "and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of prayer in seeking God's favor. In Luke 1:30 , the angel Gabriel tells Mary, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." This favor was not only a result of her righteous living but also her willingness to submit to God's will through prayer and obedience.

Conditions for Receiving God's Favor

While God's favor is ultimately an act of His sovereign grace, Scripture outlines certain conditions that align believers with His favor. These include:

1. Righteous Living: Proverbs 12:2 states, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil." Living a life that honors God and adheres to His commandments positions believers to receive His favor.

2. Faith and Trust: Hebrews 11:6 underscores the necessity of faith: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."

3. Humility: James 4:6 reminds us, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" Humility is a key attribute that attracts God's favor.

4. Obedience: In Deuteronomy 28:1-2 , God promises blessings for obedience: "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God."

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to regularly pray for God's favor in their lives, seeking His guidance, protection, and blessings. This involves a sincere heart, a commitment to living according to His Word, and a willingness to submit to His will. By doing so, they align themselves with the divine purpose and experience the fullness of God's favor in their lives.Psalm 106:4
Remember me, O LORD, with the favor that you bore to your people: O visit me with your salvation;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:58
I entreated your favor with my whole heart: be merciful to me according to your word.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

There is Therefore one Whose Favour we Should Seek...
... There is therefore One whose favour we should seek, and to whom we ought to pray
that He would be gracious to us"the Most High God, whose favour is gained by ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxiv there is therefore.htm

This Necessity Our Opponents do not at all Consider. ...
... For before urging believers to pray in the Spirit always ... of the Spirit, which is
the word of God" (Eph.6 ... devoid of everything which can procure the favour of God ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 12 this necessity our.htm

Secondly, for Thy Words.
... an undoubted sign of a soul that never truly feared God. Pray, therefore, with David,
when thou art to speak in ... not the rewards of virtue the gifts of favour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/secondly for thy words.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... spirit; you speak too of storm and tempest all working in their favour. ... You that
are living without God, pray what prospect have you, what prospect of victory? ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

In Fine, Supplication for Pardon, with Humble and Ingenuous ...
... from punishment, they at the same time pray that their ... [4] Nay, our endeavour must
be to have God propitious even before he attests his favour by external ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 9 in fine supplication.htm

Of the Lack of all Comfort
... what he felt within himself when the favour departed: Thou ... despaireth, but the more
instantly entreateth God, and saith ... Lord, will I cry, and will pray unto my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ix of the lack.htm

Eleventh Letter
... I DO not pray that you may be delivered from your pains; but I pray GOD earnestly
that ... they consider sickness as a pain to nature, and not as a favour from GOD ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/eleventh letter.htm

That we Ought to Offer Ourselves and all that is Ours to God, and ...
... we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God, and to pray for all. ... cleanse
my conscience from all offence, and restore me to Thy favour which by ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ix that we ought.htm

Of Sacrifice, and of an Offering Worthy of God, and of the Form of ...
... But that he may obtain the favour of God, and be free from every stain, let him
always implore the mercy of God, and pray for nothing else but pardon for his ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxv of sacrifice and of.htm

Of Gratitude for the Grace of God
... to retain the favour of God, let him be thankful for the favour which is given,
and patient in respect of that which is taken away. Let him pray that it may ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x of gratitude for.htm

What is the favor of God, and how can I get it? | GotQuestions.org

Does God have favorites? | GotQuestions.org

Why are Christians pro-life when it comes to abortion while at the same time in favor of the death penalty and supportive of war? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus