A Prayer about God’s Favor Resting on Us
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13–14 NIV)
Heavenly Father, I’ve got to sit in these words for a bit: “peace to those on whom his favor rests.” It’s all right there in this doxological declaration, this angelic proclamation, this gospel-filled affirmation—everything my heart longs for, more than I could have ever hoped for or imagined. I know with certainty that you are at peace with me— that I’m someone upon whom your favor permanently rests — all because of what you’ve done for us in Jesus.
Father, if unredeemed angels were in awe of such good news, how much more should I be staggered and astonished, humbled and grateful, liberated and transformed?
We invest so much of our lives looking for favor— wanting to be wanted, longing to be celebrated, and seeking to be acceptable. Personally, I’ve looked to people and work, to education and exercise, to money and things, even to spiritual disciplines and ministry to give me what you alone give us so freely and fully in the gospel.
And what a freeing paradox, Father: the more we come alive to the riches of the gospel, the less we obsess about our own lives. We don’t end up thinking more of ourselves or less of ourselves. We just think of ourselves less often. How liberating!
Jesus, may this old host of angels drive us into a new worship of you this Advent season. It’s only because you submitted to the fullness of God’s disfavor for us that we can boast of having the fullness of God’s favor resting on us. We praise, honor, and adore you. We dare not look at your cradle without gazing at your cross. We pray in your holy and loving name.
Amen.