Praying for Others

Scripture: And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10

Observation: There are many things throughout Job that are completely unexplained, the restoration of Job one of them. While Job was brought low through no fault of his, he of course was also not innocent as he is a human with sin in his life. In working through his issues, God has in fact lectured him on his lack of humility and ignorance of God's ways. Then, without real resolution of the situation, God restores Job. However, this line provides some insight into that. Job prayed for his friends, and then the Lord restored Job's prior life.

Throughout the book, Job and his friends argue about many things related to the will of God. However, his act of praying for those other friends is what triggers God to action. It may be that this was an act of obedience, as God had said he would accept only Job's prayers for the wrong behavior of the friends and thus Job was complying. It is at least as likely that Job's restoration is dependent on right relationships ... that a God of love responds not only to Job's humility in God's presence, but in his willingness - in his misery - to pray for others.

Application: Almost all Christians are quick to pray for themselves. We ask for good days, we thank God for our days and blessings, we request health and wisdom and strength. We pray these things for others as an afterthought, or at least secondarily. It is important that my prayers for others take primacy - that I pray for my family, friends, staff, and strangers first. As I put others first, both in my words and in my heart, I know I will continue to improve my character related to my love and patience for others.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I do pray for my staff this day. We have challenges and stress, and while I may feel aspects of that I know they do also. Give them joy this day - joy in their work, in their lives, and in community with each other. May I find ways to bless them. Amen.