Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you. I will surely accept his prayer and not deal with you as your folly deserves. For you have not spoken the truth about Me, as My servant Job has.” Job 42:8 HCSB
The meeting is about to begin and the chairman of the group asks if there are any prayer requests. After a few people share their requests the chairman opens the meeting in prayer for those who had been mentioned. On Sunday morning the Sunday School class shares prayer concerns and then one person sends a list of prayer requests to the class members via email. It is important to pray for others.
These verses tell us that Job was going to pray for his friends who had misrepresented God. They were commanded to make a sacrifice and then Job would pray for them. Even the Old Testament teaches us to pray for others. Jesus taught His disciples not only to pray for one another but to pray for their enemies. The term “folly” indicates that the words and actions of Job’s friends were not only wrong but were not even close to describing God. The large sacrifice that was called for indicates the seriousness of their sin. Job prayed for his friends even though they had accused him of wrongdoing.
Challenge: Pray for your friends and even those who may be your enemies. Forgive those who have accused you of wrongdoing. God is in the miracle business and can accomplish His will when you are willing to forgive those who have hurt you in some way.