Introduction
The leader of the men’s Bible Study group, Dr. Bobby Waite, (“Bobby” to the room) has a standard greeting if you ask him how he is doing when shaking his hand upon his arrival. He responds “Richly Blessed and Highly Favored” with a big smile on his face. Bobby and most of the group are truly Biblical scholars. I feel a little intimidated (I mean in admiration) was they quote so much Scripture from memory. Bobby’s wide grin is genuine but a little suspicious. Is he kidding? Is he referencing a verse out of the Bible? Hmmm. I started wondering this morning as I kept repeating it in my head. The phrase is a wonderful mantra.
Let’s Explore With the Help of AI.
The phrase “Richly blessed and highly favored” has become one of the most recognizable affirmations within contemporary Christian culture. While it does not appear word-for-word in Scripture, its origin and power are undeniably biblical. Over the decades, it has moved from angelic greetings and gospel testimony into sermons, songs, and even everyday conversation.
Biblical Foundations
The seed of the phrase lies in the Gospel of Luke. When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he greeted her with the words: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). Later in her Magnificat, Mary declared: “From now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48). These twin themes—being favored by God and being called blessed—form the biblical backbone for the expression.
Thus, the phrase does not invent something new but expands upon Scripture’s language. To be blessed is to receive God’s goodness, and to be highly favored is to be chosen, graced, and sustained by His presence.
Testimony and Church Tradition
By the mid-20th century, especially in African-American church contexts, such biblical phrasing was reinterpreted as a response to everyday greetings. When asked, “How are you?”, a believer might respond, “Blessed and highly favored.” This was more than a reply; it was a testimony. It declared faith in God’s providence, even amid hardship.
The addition of “richly” in later decades emphasized the abundance of God’s grace, aligning with charismatic and prosperity-oriented preaching that highlighted themes of overflow and divine provision.
Preachers and the Popularization of a Phrase
As televangelism grew in the 1980s and 1990s, the phrase gained a wider audience.
- T.D. Jakes (b. 1957) has made favor one of his hallmark themes, framing it as a process of receiving, enduring rejection, showing resilience, and walking in redemption.^1
- Joyce Meyer (b. 1943), through her books and television ministry, often emphasizes God’s blessing and favor as part of the believer’s daily life.^2
- Joel Osteen (b. 1963) carries the message of abundant life and divine favor in his worldwide ministry, spreading the phrase to millions.^3
- Other pastors, such as Dr. J.W.T. Spies (dates not widely published) and Rev. Leo H. McCrary II (contemporary preacher, active today), have preached sermons centered on the biblical meaning of being blessed and highly favored, pointing back to Mary’s example in Luke.^4
- Ken Harris (1949–2021), pastor and Army veteran, preached “Blessed and Highly Favored” as an Advent sermon, urging believers to rejoice as Mary did.^5
Together, these voices helped shape “Blessed and highly favored” into a cultural marker: a way of naming one’s identity in Christ with both confidence and joy.
Gospel Music and Cultural Echoes
If preaching popularized the phrase, gospel music sealed it in the memory of millions.
- The Clark Sisters—Jacky Clark Chisholm (b. 1948), Twinkie Clark (b. 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (b. 1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (b. 1960)—recorded “Blessed & Highly Favored” in 2007. The song earned Grammy Awards in 2008, embedding the phrase in gospel culture.^6 (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgXxWAW1qLI)
- Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark (1925–1994), although not a performer on the song, influenced their gospel legacy.
- In Southern Gospel, the Gaither Vocal Band (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMXBdnsHees) carried the phrase into another branch of church music. The group was founded by Bill Gaither (b. 1936), who co-wrote “Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored” in 2010 with Larry Gatlin (b. 1948).^7
Through these artists, the phrase moved beyond pulpits into choirs, CDs, and concerts—spreading worldwide.
Today’s Living Expression
Today, “Richly blessed and highly favored” is used in countless contexts: a sermon theme, a social media testimony, a blog devotion, or simply the joyful answer to a friend’s question. Its endurance lies in its balance of humility and hope. On one hand, it reminds believers of Mary’s humility before God’s grace; on the other, it speaks of God’s abundant love poured into ordinary lives.
It is not a quotation from one famous figure, but a shared inheritance of the church—a living testimony that passes from pulpit to pew, from song to soul, from Scripture to speech.
✨ Ideas for a Personal Reflection and Sharing
1. Daily Gratitude
- Example thought:
When I say I am “richly blessed and highly favored,” I’m not claiming a life without struggles. It means I wake up each morning with breath in my lungs and hope in my heart. It means I can see God’s fingerprints in small things—provision, protection, peace—even when circumstances are not perfect.
2. Reframing Hardship
- Example thought:
In practice, favor does not mean everything goes my way. There have been seasons of loss and frustration. Yet looking back, I see that God’s favor carried me through: doors opened when I thought they were closed, strength came when I thought I was at the end. Favor often looks like endurance with joy.
3. Relationships and Community
- Example thought:
I’ve experienced being richly blessed and highly favored not only in personal blessings, but in the people God has placed around me. Friends, family, and church members have been instruments of grace. Sometimes God’s favor shows up in a smile, a phone call, or a meal shared together.
4. Contrast with Worldly Success
- Example thought:
The world measures blessing in wealth or status. But in practice, I have found that the richest favor is knowing I am loved, forgiven, and called by name. My blessing is not my possessions, but the presence of Christ that steadies me in every season.
5. A Short Testimony Moment
- Example thought:
For me, one of the clearest moments I felt “highly favored” was when our grandchildren (19, 21 and 23) grew up to initiate hugs and saying “I love you.” I knew it wasn’t luck or coincidence; it was God’s hand guiding my life and theirs.
Closing AI Hymn
(Tune: Diademata — “Crown Him with Many Crowns”)
Verse 1
RICH-ly blessed and high-ly fa-vored,
Through MER-cy not my own;
By GRACE I am de-li-vered,
Be-FORE His hea-v’nly throne.
Not WEALTH nor earth-ly trea-sure,
Could PUR-chase love so free;
But CHRIST, my joy and mea-sure,
Has POURED His life on me.
Verse 2
Through TRI-als deep He keeps me,
His SPI-rit is my song;
Though TEM-pests rage a-gainst me,
His FA-vor makes me strong.
In HIM my soul re-joi-ces,
Through E-very night and day;
I LIFT my heart and voi-ces,
To SING His bound-less grace.
Verse 3
All GLO-ry to the Sa-vior,
Who REIGNS for-ev-er-more;
I WALK in ho-ly fa-vor,
With BLESS-ings run-ning o’er.
The CROSS has sealed my sto-ry,
The CROWN a-waits a-bove;
For-EV-er in His glo-ry,
For-EV-er in His love.
References
- T.D. Jakes, You Are Blessed and Highly Favored (sermon, August 2025).
- Joyce Meyer, The Confident Woman: Start Today Living Boldly and Without Fear (FaithWords, 2006).
- Joel Osteen, Your Best Life Now (FaithWords, 2004).
- Dr. J.W.T. Spies, “I’m Blessed and Highly Favored,” SermonCentral, 2020; Rev. Leo H. McCrary II, “Blessed and Highly Favored,” NewFoundFaith.org, 2021.
- Ken Harris, “Blessed and Highly Favored,” Advent sermon, 2008, SermonCentral.
- The Clark Sisters, Blessed & Highly Favored, Live—One Last Time (EMI Gospel, 2007); Grammy Awards, 2008.
- Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin, Greatly Blessed (Gaither Vocal Band, 2010).
Let's Talk About It, Lewis! 
I really like this one!
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Many thanks!
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