A Prayer for Favor & Blessing - by Kaylene Yoder

King David's prayer for the Lord's favor and blessing in Psalm 17:1-9 is beautiful and rich: 

Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer- it does not rise from deceitful lips.
May my vindication come from You; may my eyes see what is right.
Though You probe my heart and examine me at night, though You test me, You will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.
As for the deeds of men – by the word of Your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.
My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
I call on You, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of Your great love, you who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings
from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.
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David's prayer is very telling of a heart that
1) desires to live in right standing with the Lord,
2) invites the Lord's correcting gaze, yet
3) boldly comes before the Lord asking for His favor and blessing.
We can gather from this that blessings cannot come down if we are not willing to be rid of the things that dirty us.
Repentance is not a popular topic, however the Lord delights in those who come to Him with their sin.
He looks lovingly upon those who lay their troubles and tainted lives at His feet.
Inevitably, unrepentance blocks blessings.
Most assuredly, repentance restores right standing.
And fountains of favor will flow when our filth flees.
Turn to Him and seek His face so times of refreshing may come to you. (Acts 3:19)

A Prayer for Favor and Blessing (written to pray for yourself)
Lord, I confess that I often do things on my own power, for my own glory and in my own will. Change that for me, Lord. Realign me with Your perfect will. Give me a repentant and humble heart willing to walk in Your ways. Do not let me settle into self-glorifying mindsets, attitudes and habits.
Father, bind up my brokenness and restore me to You. Release me from any darkness and bring me into the light of Your wisdom and favor. Anoint me with Your oil of joy and refresh me in You. Crown me with Your beauty so I may walk free from the ashes of this world. Clothe me in Your garments of praise so I may be lifted from despair. From the crushing and pressing things of life, bring new growth, fresh purpose, and restored power. Make me like an oak of righteousness, deeply rooted in Your love, planted by You and for the display of Your splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3). 
Father, my desire is to live within Your love. I am desperate for Your touch. Wrap all of me in all of You. Bless me and keep me in Your perfect care.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Kaylene Yoder
Author & Writer at KayleneYoder.com ​