Is it permissible for a Muslim to favor a specific Surah, such as Surah Al-Waqi'ah, and focus on reciting and listening to it more than other Surahs?

It is permissible for a Muslim to give special attention to a particular surah, through recitation, listening, and studying its exegesis, due to the rulings, encouragement, or deterrence it contains, as long as this does not lead to abandoning the rest of the Qur’an. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was reported to have singled out certain surahs, as he said: "Hud, Al-Waqi'ah, Al-Mursalat, Amma Yatasa'alun, and إذا الشمس كورت (When the sun is folded up) have made me grey." Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked about preferring Surah Maryam for recitation and he answered that it is permissible, due to the great stories and meanings it contains. The point is that singling out a surah because of its effect on the heart is permissible, as long as the reciter does not believe it possesses a special religious virtue without a scriptural basis, or intends to single it out without evidence, as this would be considered an innovation.