Pray for Friends

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10 (NIV)

Typically when we study the story of Job we observe Job’s wealth and righteousness; the loss of his family, wealth, and health; and finally the doubling of his wealth. The dialogue between God, Job, and his friends is certainly great opportunity for discussion as well.

However, we miss critical words at the beginning of the above sentence: “After Job had prayed for his friends.” Despite enduring suffering and torture beyond our imagination, and being ‘put in his place’ by God; he was not immediately blessed with: “twice as much as he had before.”
God richly blessed Job after Job prayed for his friends!

This correlates with the second greatest commandment indentified by Christ: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” When we love our fellow man, desiring their righteous success as much as our own success; we fervently pray God pour blessings on them. Christ prayed for our betterment through God’s Will as he contemplated his crucifixion.

Is it okay to pray for the fulfillment of our own desires? Yes! Jesus says we have not because we ask not; and to “ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” The Bible explains this is done to glorify our Heavenly Father.

However, when we pray for our friends first, God blesses us with twice as much as before. Perhaps this exponential blessing will be monetary, emotional or spiritual. The Bible does explain the details of how Job’s wealth was restored, since the blessings included ten children we can be reasonably certain this did not occur instantly. Would you agree we may reasonably presume Job worked with diligence, prudence, sweat, and wisdom?

Pray for your friends, and respond in faith with God given diligence, prudence, sweat, and wisdom!

I pray each of my friends are receive Godly blessings of Love, Forgivenss, Faith, Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding exceeding their imaginations.

Make it a Great Day in Christ!
Rick

www.rickemeyer.com