God’s Favorites – The Presidential Prayer Team

But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him in those who hope in his steadfast love. – Psalm 147:11

Do you ever feel wistful as you read about how Daniel found favor with God or how Mary was chosen above all women to bear Jesus? Someone once wrote about a mother having passed away and she left a note to each of her children. At the end of each letter, she wrote the words, “You are my favorite.” Followers of Christ are His favored ones. Some scholars use favor and grace interchangeably.

How comforting it is to know that the Lord takes pleasure in you! Receiving Christ shows that you fear or reverence Him, as it says in today’s verse, and that you hope in His steadfast love. Jesus is your hope and He is the reason the Father takes pleasure in you. But not only that, He knows all about you, your quirks, your personality, your gifts, your weaknesses. He values you as a person. The good news of the gospel is that He so loves the world and He so loves the individuals of the world. God is a personal God. He wants you to spend time in your prayer closet to worship Him, fellowship with Him, and express your requests to Him. He already knows them, but He desires communion with you.

Today as you come to Him in prayer, worship Him and thank Him for His favor and grace. Thank Him for His love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Intercede for your family, your friends, your church, and your nation. Be assured that He knows you intimately. He loves you, hears you, and answers your prayers. He favors you. He takes pleasure in you.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 147:11

but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Matthew 6:1-15

6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

²“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁵“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁷“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ⁹Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us this day our daily bread,
¹²and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

¹⁴For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.