“Notice carefully every word here. It is not our prayer which draws Jesus into our hearts. Nor is it our prayer which moves Jesus to come in to us. All He needs is access. He enters in of His own accord, because He desires to come in. To pray is nothing more involved than to let Jesus into our needs, and permitting Him to exercise His own power in dealing with them. And that requires no strength. It is only a question of our wills. Will we give Jesus access to our needs?” (Ole Kristian O. Hallesby)
When Job prayed in God’s name (power, wisdom, justice, rulership and grace) for his three friends, he experienced blessings in all areas of his life.
God’s Power
The Lord asked Job where he was when He laid the earth’s foundations, marked off its dimensions and stopped its waves. God gave orders to the morning by showing light. Had Job walked in the recesses of the deep, seen the gates of the shadow of death and comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Had he seen the storehouses of snow and hail, the place where lightning was dispersed and the places where the east winds were scattered over the earth? Could Job bring forth the constellations in their seasons and set up God’s dominion over the earth? Did he endow the heart with wisdom and give understanding to the mind? Did he provide food for the raven when its young cried out to God? (Job 38:1-41). God’s power created everything without peoples’ involvement.
God’s Wisdom
Did Job know when the mountain goats gave birth? God gave the wild donkey the wasteland as his home. The wild ox did not serve Job. God did not give wisdom to the ostrich that treated her young harshly. God gave strength to a horse and clothed his neck with a flowing mane. Did the hawk take flight by Job’s wisdom? Did the eagle soar at his command and build his next on high? (Job 39:1-30). God’s wisdom directed his creation at His command.
God’s Justice
Job admitted his unworthiness when God said he was incapable of correcting Him. The Lord spoke to Job out of the storm asking if he would discredit His justice and condemn God to justify himself. If Job had power like God, he should clothe himself with honor and majesty. If Job could humble every proud man and crush the wicked, then he could save himself. The elephant ranked first among God’s works and provided protection and everything that it needed (Job 40:1-24). God’s justice in crushing wickedness proves that people cannot save themselves.
God’s Ruleship
Can Job catch a crocodile with a fishhook? Any hope of subduing the animal was false. No one could stand against God since everything belonged to Him. He made the crocodile with strength, graceful form and a chest hard as rock. The mighty were terrified when he rose up and retreated before his thrashing. The sword and club were like straw and had no effect. This creature was king over all that were proud (Job 41:1-34). God’s ruleship involved animals that displayed kingship over the prideful.
God’s Grace
Job realized that God could do all things since no plan of His could be thwarted. Job spoke of things he did not understand but later repented in dust and ashes. After speaking to Job, God told Eliphaz that he was angry with him and his two friends because they did speak correctly concerning Him like Job. They took seven bulls and seven rams to sacrifice a burnt offering before Job. God accepted Job’s prayer and did not deal with them according to their folly (Job 42:1-9). God’s grace allows Him to forgive sinners while accomplishing His plans.
God’s Blessings
After Job prayed for his friends, the Lord gave him twice as much as he had before. His family and friends ate in his house while comforting and consoling Job. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first with may sheep, camels, oxen and donkeys. He had seven sons and three daughters. No women were as beautiful as Job’s daughters and he granted his children an inheritance. He saw his descendants to the fourth generation (Job 42:10-17). Respond to God’s attributes by praying for those who wrong you to experience His blessings in all areas of life.
Pray in God’s name (power, wisdom, justice, rulership and grace) for the needs of others and then watch what He will do to impart His blessings to you.
