Job 42: 7-12
After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver[a] and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.

There is so much we can learn through the story of Job. The denouement here in chapter 42 is rich with lessons. Job demonstrates unselfishness, forgiveness, and compassion for his two “friends” after all their “help”. It is his prayer (for his friends) that staves the judgement of God. It is also the pathway for Job’s blessing. I’ve heard it asked- If God answered all of your prayers, would the world be better or would you be better? That’s a great question, especially in today’s society. I pray that our church will become a church that prays for others more fervently than we pray for ourselves. When our first reaction to a situation is to make a post instead of making a prayer, we need to re-examine our lives. We see over and over again, that there is significant power in a prayer full of faith. Take time today to pray for situations that you encounter and watch God work miracles.

Father, I thank you that we can approach your throne boldly in prayer. Whether we bring petitions on behalf of ourselves or others, we trust that you hear us when we call. I pray that as we remember those promises that we will focus not only on our needs but on the many needs of those around us. Give us opportunities to pray for others – whether in our own private time, or by joining hands and hearts with others to seek your face. Let us see the chances you give us to extend forgiveness and grace to others like Job did and allow us to view our situations as opportunities to reflect you.