FAVOR, LORD?

Who may ask favor, Lord?

Exodus 32:11 [Moses DID]

But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 [Manasseh DID]
12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.

Who was favor granted to?

Genesis 6:7-9 [NOAH WAS]
7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless [upright] among the people of his time, and he walked with God.


Genesis 4:3-5 [ABEL WAS] 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Luke 2:13-14 [Those God chooses to give it... are]
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

Over and over this week the LORD has brought the word 'favor' into my conversations, my Scripture readings, books I'm presently reading and a newsletter which has caused me to continue to ponder about seeking the Lord's 'favor' in prayer over my family, my friends those on my prayer list.

A few days ago I had a conversation with my son-in-law. He and my oldest daughter [Becky] will be serving in Haiti as full-time missionaries [on the field] with RMI in Jan 2010, once they reach their full support status. In our conversation Rob told me that he had been in a meeting earlier with several mission board members when one man prayed for the Lord's 'favor' over Rob and Becky - that God would "show 'favor' in raising their additional needed support". Within a short time that same day - Rob received an e-mail and a phone call from two different 'regular' supporters who desired to 'RAISE their support' [they did this on their own]. Rob was blown away. It made a huge impact on him about prayer - and having someone pray 'favor' over him.

Last night I opened a newsletter 'monthly update' from a friend of mine named Susan Newall who is serving as a missionary in Galway, Ireland. Her letter [2 pages] was filled with the word 'favor'. Because of the changes in Visa status she has to come home from the field in Oct. and is not sure if she will be allowed to come back after that. She writes: "Please ask for our God, who directs the king's heart wherever He pleases (Proverbs 21:1), to grant me favor with the one who will process my request."

This week I have begun praying - asking the Lord to show 'His favor' over many different people on my prayer list. ALREADY I have seen amazing things happen in just a few short days.

I asked my Bible study group on Tuesday night, "Have you ever prayed "the favor of the Lord" over another person? Why? and how? Now I'm asking you that same question. Can you share any specifics about the results?

We are missionaries raising support to serve with Reciprocal Ministries International in Les Cayes, Haiti. http://www.robandbecky.com/

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For Susan Newall - Galway Ireland: her e-Mail address is: mailto:isionanewells@juno.com

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

[JESUS - the One I Thirst For]