The favor of God refers to when God bestows blessings, success, and prosperity on someone’s life. It is God’s grace and goodness being actively displayed in one’s circumstances. The ultimate example of God’s favor is Him sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins so we can have a relationship with God (John 3:16). But even in day-to-day life, God desires to show His favor to His children.
The Bible shows many examples of God’s favor on the lives of His followers. In Genesis 39, Joseph found favor with Potiphar and was placed in charge of Potiphar’s household. The Lord was with Joseph and blessed everything he did (Genesis 39:2-6). In Exodus 3:21, God promised to give the Israelites favor with the Egyptians so they would give them silver, gold and clothing as they left Egypt. In Luke 2:52 it says “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” God’s favor was on Jesus’ life even as a child.
God’s favor is not limited to biblical times – He desires to show favor to His children today as well. As Psalm 5:12 says, “For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” When we have faith in Christ, God sees us as righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross. Therefore, God promises to bless us and cover us with His favor.
What does the favor of God look like?
The favor of God can manifest in many different ways. Here are some examples of what God’s favor might look like:
- Supernatural blessing and increase – Deuteronomy 28:1-14 lists many different blessings God promises for those who obey Him – blessings in the city, blessings in the country, blessed children and livestock, blessed crops and prosperity.
- Victory over enemies – Psalm 44:3 says “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” God’s favor brings supernatural victory.
- Promotion and influence – Just as God gave Joseph and Daniel favor with earthly kings, He can give you favor with people in positions of authority and influence.
- Divine opportunities and open doors – Acts 14:27 talks about how “God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” God’s favor includes opening up new opportunities.
- Protection and deliverance – Psalm 5:12 says God’s favor is like a shield. God promises to protect and deliver those He favors.
- Wisdom and insight – Proverbs 3:3-4 ties longevity, peace, and favor together with finding wisdom and understanding.
- Joy and gladness – Psalm 30:5 says “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” God’s favor includes joy.
In essence, the favor of God brings all the blessings of God into our lives. When we have God’s favor, it is like all of heaven coming to assist us and meet our needs. Every area of life is impacted.
How to obtain the favor of God
If the favor of God is so desirable, how can someone obtain it? Here are biblical keys to gaining the favor of God in your life:
- Faith in Christ – Faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross gives us access to grace and favor (Romans 5:1-2). God’s favor is for those who are righteous through Christ.
- Obedience and righteous living – God blesses and shows favor to the obedient and upright (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). We obtain favor through living righteously.
- Humility and the fear of the Lord – Proverbs 22:4 says “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.” God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
- Trusting in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5-6 promises that God will make our paths straight if we trust in Him. We obtain favor by trusting God.
- Wisdom – Those who obtain wisdom and understanding gain God’s favor (Proverbs 3:1-4). Wisdom is applying God’s Word to life.
- Generosity – Generous people who give to the poor obtain God’s favor (Proverbs 19:17). Freely giving leads to receiving.
- Prayer – In Daniel 9:17-19, Daniel appeals for God’s favor through prayer and fasting. Asking God for favor in prayer is important.
- Pure heart – Psalm 24:3-5 shows that those with clean hands and a pure heart receive blessing from the Lord. Holiness leads to favor.
There are also some key areas where having God’s favor can help attract more of His blessings into your life:
Favor in relationships
Developing healthy relationships where people like you and want to help you is a key to unlocking more of God’s favor. Proverbs 16:7 says “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” Ask God to give you favor with friends, family, coworkers, and even enemies. Be friendly, don’t gossip or slander, and look for ways to add value to others.
Favor at work
Ask God for favor with your employer, colleagues, employees, and customers. Seek to work with excellence, have a good attitude, and bring solutions instead of complaints (Colossians 3:23). When people want to do business with you, it creates opportunity.
Favor with authority
Pray for favor with those in authority – government officials, police officers, your manager at work, administrators at your child’s school, etc. Don’t be argumentative or belligerent with authorities, even when you disagree. Ask God to give you favor in their sight.
Favor in times of trouble
During difficult times – sickness, financial difficulty, legal matters – ask God for favor. Pray for Him to move on your behalf and swing situations to your advantage. Believe that His favor will open doors of blessing even in hard times.
Favor while serving in ministry
Those who serve God’s purposes obtain special favor from Him. As you volunteer and give to church, community outreach, missions, or humanitarian causes, pray for God’s favor to surround you with blessing. God sees and will reward your service.
Favor through sowing and generosity
Generosity displayed through volunteering, charitable giving, and helping others attracts God’s favor. As Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Giving energizes receiving of God’s blessings.
Favor when waiting on God
Seasons of waiting for God to fulfill His promises or move on your behalf can be challenging. But asking for God’s favor to sustain you while waiting is important. Trust that the favor you cultivate in wait times will birth new blessings.
Favor through alignment
As you align your thoughts, words, and actions with God’s truth and will, you gain more favor. Sin pushes back the flow of favor, while obedience enhances it. Evaluate your habits, lifestyle, and mindset for any area not aligning with biblical values or wisdom.
Favor through speaking
Our words carry creative power to prophesy God’s favor into our lives or create obstacles. Speak words of life that align with God’s promises of favor. Verbalize blessings, promotion, health, and prosperity by faith, and avoid cursing your situation.
Favor for dream fulfillment
If you have dreams and desires from God in your heart for your life and family, pray consistently for favor to fulfill them. With God’s favor, nothing is impossible. Seek God for favor to overcome obstacles as you take steps of obedient faith towards each dream.
Hindrances to living in God’s favor
Just as there are keys to experiencing the favor of God, there are also hindrances that can limit it. Here are some things that can disrupt the flow of God’s favor in your life:
- Sin and disobedience – continued willful sin erects a barrier between us and God, limiting favor.
- Pride – God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6).
- Jealousy and comparison – wanting what others have leads to envy and covetousness, which God calls idolatry (Exodus 20:17).
- Ingratitude – focusing on complaints rather than blessings cultivates a spirit of ingratitude. Thankfulness is key.
- Negative words – speaking doubt, fear, or unbelief releases the power of death, not life (Proverbs 18:21).
- Lack of generosity – favor flows through a generous lifestyle, but stinginess and greed limit it.
- Prayerlessness – neglecting prayer and not seeking God blocks our access point for favor.
- Toxic relationships – bitterness, unforgiveness and strife in relationships create barriers to favor.
As much as possible, seek to weed these hindrances out of your life. Some additional practical tips include:
- Ask God to reveal any areas of sin or misalignment in your heart.
- Spend time focusing on God’s goodness, not complaining.
- Be quick to forgive any offenses from others.
- Tithe regularly and sow generously into ministry and humanitarian causes.
- Commit to start and end each day with prayer and Bible study.
- Deal with conflicts and relationships issues through open communication.
- Avoid media and influences that promote greed, discontentment and pride.
Bible stories that reveal the favor of God
The following Bible stories powerfully demonstrate God’s supernatural favor on the lives of people who followed Him:
Noah Finds Grace
In Genesis 6, Noah found favor, or grace, in the sight of God while the rest of the world was judged in the flood (verses 8-9). God’s protection, salvation, and provision encapsulate His favor.
God Promotes Joseph
Joseph faced unjust imprisonment after being sold into slavery by his brothers. But the favor of God was on Joseph, even in prison (Genesis 39:21-23). Eventually Joseph was released and promoted by Pharaoh to reign over Egypt only under Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41:37-46). God’s favor brought promotion.
Ruth Receives Favor
As a childless widow in a foreign land, Ruth seemed destitute. But she obtained favor with Boaz through godly character and submission (Ruth 2:2, 10). This favor led to protection, provision, and even marriage for Ruth through which she became part of the Messianic line.
Hannah Is Blessed with a Child
Though originally barren, Hannah earnestly sought God in prayer and obtained favor with Him (1 Samuel 1:17, 20). God blessed her with a son, Samuel, who became a mighty prophet and influencer in Israelite society. Favor brought fruitfulness.
Mary Births the Messiah
Highly favored by God, Mary was chosen to supernaturally conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:28-31). Despite her humble background and the potential shame, God’s favor on Mary’s life allowed her to fulfill a great destiny.
Jesus’ Ministry Demonstrates Favor
During His earthly ministry, Jesus walked in phenomenal measures of God’s favor – crowds flocked to hear His teaching, lives were powerfully transformed through His miracles, and He spoke with unparalleled authority and wisdom (Matthew 7:28-29, Matthew 4:23-25). God’s favor produces influence.
These examples reveal how God desires to move through favor on behalf of His faithful followers. When we align with Him, He will astound us with blessings exceeding our expectations. His favor truly changes everything.
Practicing living in God’s favor
Since God’s favor is so desirable and impactful, how do we translate a revelation of it into a lifestyle? Here are some tips for practicing living in God’s favor daily:
- Start each morning thanking God for His goodness and asking for favor that day.
- Speak favor over yourself aloud regularly – “I am blessed!”, “I have God’s favor!”, “God’s favor surrounds me like a shield!”
- When facing challenges, pray Psalm 5:12 – “Surely Lord, you bless the righteous. You surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
- Meditate on scriptures about God’s favor and goodness to renew your mindset.
- Don’t talk badly about yourself. Speak words that align with God’s destiny for you.
- When discouragement or fear tries attacking your mind, rebuke it in Jesus’ name.
- Sow financial seeds into ministries making a difference to tap into favor through generosity.
- Develop a grateful attitude each day for what God has already blessed you with.
- Hang around encouraging, faith-filled people who inspire you to pursue God’s presence.
- Step out in faith when you have promptings to pursue dreams God placed in your heart.
Living in supernatural favor is God’s desire for you, not just the occasional event. But it requires cultivating faith that what God said about favor towards you is true. When you reposition your life around His promises and pursue intimacy with Him, favor starts overflowing. God is simply looking for willing vessels through which to pour out His indescribable blessings. Position yourself to overflow with the favor of God!