Pray For One Another

“If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. [Job 5.8]

I don't know if anything either Eliphaz or Job said (as recorded in today's OYCB reading) is right. 

All I know is that Job starts off disagreeing with Eliphaz and I know that in the end, they will both be rebuked by God. So, with this information, I find it hard to write about anything either of them (or any of the rest who will speak going forward) said with any confidence - that their words are anything more than just foolishness!

However, the verse listed above stood out to me as a safe sentence.

But then again, why did Eliphaz tell Job he should go to God and present his own case? Why would not Eliphaz petition God on Job's behalf???  As I recall, and will confirm going forward, I don't think any of Job's friends are on record of having prayed for Job at any time throughout their discourse! Is this true? And, if it is true, is it right? Of course not!

How might Job's story have been different if everyone just prayed for one another? It is obvious they all said stuff - and some of it sounded real good - but all were rebuked in the end. And even Job, in all his troubles, was told by God to pray for his friends! (Isn't that just backwards?). There is indeed a lesson here!

As I fast-forwarded through the entire book of Job (beyond today's reading) I realized that indeed we have no record that anyone prayed for Job. When trouble came, all were more interested in refuting each others' doctrine than they were interested in interceding for one another! And, that problem sounds all too familiar and contemporary!

Father, help us all to see the need for intercession - real and humble intercession - for one another whether we see a friend in trouble or we are in trouble ourselves.