Favor Prayer: The Divine Bestowal of Grace and Blessing

Bible Verse: Psalms 90:17 (NIV)

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, source of all blessings, you have endowed us with the promise of your favor. We seek your divine grace to rest upon us, guiding our endeavors and sanctifying our efforts. Just as you established the work of Moses and the children of Israel, we pray, Lord, that you establish the work of our hands. Align our purposes with your divine will, that in all our undertakings, your favor and blessing may be manifest. As Jesus showed favor to the children, the sick, the downtrodden, and the outcasts, may we too be recipients of that same favor, ensuring our works are in service to your Kingdom and to your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Explanation:
Psalms 90, attributed to Moses, is a meditation on the transient nature of human life and the eternal nature of God. In verse 17, the psalmist is calling on the Lord for His favor to rest on them, emphasizing the human desire for God’s approval and assistance in their undertakings. This plea for divine favor is not just about blessings in the abstract but a specific request that God will make fruitful the work of their hands.

The prayer for favor is rooted deeply in the Christian belief that God, in His abundant love and mercy, desires to bestow blessings upon His children. This belief is further reinforced by the teachings and actions of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, we observe Jesus bestowing favor upon many, from healing the sick to uplifting the spirits of those who are downtrodden. In Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus lays hands on children and prays for them, showcasing God’s favor towards the innocent and pure-hearted. The act of laying hands and praying symbolizes the transference of divine favor and blessing.

In seeking God’s favor, it is not merely for personal gain but for the greater glory of God. When God’s favor is upon us, it ensures that our works, actions, and endeavors are aligned with His divine purpose and plan. It is a prayer not just for success but for divine alignment, ensuring that what we do is in harmony with God’s will and design.

The plea for God’s favor, as seen in the life of Jesus, is also a call to be agents of favor to others. As we are recipients of God’s grace, we are also called to be conduits of that grace to the world. This favor prayer, therefore, is both a petition for divine blessings and a commitment to being instruments of God’s favor to others.