In the King James Version, God's favour is His kindness and approval toward His people: "For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield" (Psalm 5:12). Noah "found grace in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8), and the angel told Mary, "thou hast found favour with God" (Luke 1:30).
Many Christians pray for God's favor at the start of a new year, before a job interview, or over a family facing a big decision. The King James Version spells it favour and often pairs it with grace, because the Hebrew and Greek words overlap. These twelve verses explain what the favour of the LORD is, show people who found favour with God, and offer verses to pray as a new year begins. Biblical favour is not a promise of wealth or an easy life; Joseph found favour in a prison. For blessing in general, see blessing; for grace, see mercy.
What the favour of the LORD means
1. Psalms 5:12
"For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield."
David pictures God's favour as a shield that surrounds the righteous on every side. Favour is first protection and presence, not prizes. David prayed this with enemies all around him (Psalm 5:8-9).
2. Proverbs 8:35
"For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD."
Wisdom speaks here: whoever finds her finds life and obtains favour of the LORD. Seeking God's wisdom in His word is the surest path to His favour. See wisdom.
3. Proverbs 12:2
"A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn."
A good man obtains favour, but God condemns wicked schemes. Favour is not luck; it is tied to character. See integrity.
4. Psalms 106:4
"Remember me, O LORD, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation;"
The psalmist asks God to remember him with the favour He shows His people. You can pray this verse exactly as it is: remember me, O LORD.
People who found favour with God
5. Genesis 6:8
"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."
In a violent, corrupt world, Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Favour begins with God's choice, not human merit; Noah's faith and obedience followed (Hebrews 11:7).
6. Genesis 39:21
"But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."
Joseph had been falsely accused and was in prison, yet the LORD was with him and gave him favour. God's favour can rest on someone in the worst place of their life.
7. Daniel 1:9
"Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs."
Daniel was a young captive in Babylon, yet God brought him into favour and tender love with the official over him. Favour opened a door for Daniel to stay faithful (Daniel 1:12-16).
8. Luke 1:30
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God."
The angel told Mary she had found favour with God. That favour led her to Bethlehem, a manger and, years later, the cross. Favour means being chosen for God's purpose, which can include hard roads. See Christmas.
God's favour for the year ahead
9. Luke 4:19
"To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
In Nazareth Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 and announced the acceptable year of the Lord, a year of God's favour and release. Then He said the scripture was fulfilled that day (Luke 4:21). In Christ, every year can be lived under God's favour.
10. Psalms 44:3
"For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them."
Israel did not win the land by its own sword, but because God had a favour unto them. Whatever you achieve this year, give God the credit.
11. Proverbs 3:4
"So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man."
Mercy and truth (Proverbs 3:3) lead to favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Jesus Himself grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).
12. Exodus 33:17
"And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name."
God told Moses that he had found grace in His sight and that God knew him by name. The greatest favour of all is to be known by God personally.
A short prayer
Lord, remember me with the favour You show Your people. Surround me with favour as with a shield this year. Give me wisdom, integrity, mercy and truth, and let me find favour in the sight of God and man. Whether this year brings open doors or hard roads, let me know that You are with me, as You were with Joseph. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the favor of God mean?
God's favour is His undeserved kindness, approval and presence. In the KJV, favour and grace often translate the same Hebrew word, as when Noah "found grace" (Genesis 6:8). Favour can show up as protection (Psalm 5:12), an open door (Daniel 1:9) or God's presence in hardship (Genesis 39:21).
Is God's favor about money and success?
Not first of all. Joseph had favour in a prison, and Mary's favour led to the cross. God does bless His people, but Scripture warns against treating godliness as a way to get rich (1 Timothy 6:5): "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6). Be cautious of anyone who sells favour for a seed gift.
What does highly favoured mean in Luke 1:28?
The angel greeted Mary, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee" (Luke 1:28). It means she was graciously chosen by God. Her favour was not a reward for being perfect but God's gift, and the proof was in the next words: the Lord is with thee. Read more on our Advent page.
What is a prayer for God's favor in the new year?
Pray Psalm 90:17, "let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us" (Psalm 90:17), along with Psalm 106:4 and Proverbs 3:3-4. Esther "obtained grace and favour" (Esther 2:17) and then used her place to help others, so ask God for favour to serve. See the new year.
God's favour cannot be bought. Be cautious of anyone who promises blessing, favour or a financial breakthrough in exchange for a gift, and never give money you need for food, housing or debts you owe.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about blessing · Bible verses about being blessed · Bible verses about mercy · Bible verses for the new year · Bible verses about God's promises · Bible verses about success · Bible verses about God
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