When Friends Pray for Friends

Devotional Reading: “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” – Job 42:10

If we read the story of Job, Job’s friends were not exactly the best cheerleaders. Imagine being in pain, scraping boils, and instead of encouragement, your friends show up with “Maybe it’s your fault, Job.” Not cool at all. Yet, at the end of his ordeal, God asked Job to pray for these same friends. And Job obeyed. The result? God restored him double. The lesson here is loud and clear… intercession works even when the people you are praying for don’t deserve it.

This flips the way we normally think about prayer. We often wait until people treat us right before we remember them in prayer. But God’s pattern shows us something deeper. When you intercede for others, (even those who misunderstand, hurt, or misjudge you) you unlock blessings you never expected. It’s like God saying, “Since you cared about others, I’ll take care of you in ways you couldn’t imagine.”

Sometimes your breakthrough is tied to your willingness to pray for others. Notice that Job’s story turned around after he prayed for his friends. Could it be that some delays in our lives are because we are holding grudges instead of praying for the people who wronged us? It sounds crazy, but God’s Kingdom is full of these divine twists. The very people you’re tempted to avoid may be the ones God uses to test your obedience in intercession.

Think about it in today’s world. Ever had a coworker who always makes your job harder? Or a neighbor who never minds their business? What if instead of plotting pay back, you prayed for them? You might not only shift their hearts but also open up unexpected doors in your own life. Intercession is not just about them, it’s about you too.

Prayer and Confession
Father, I choose to forgive and pray for those who have hurt me. Just as Job prayed for his friends, I release prayers for those around me, even the difficult ones. I confess that my prayers for others are seeds that will bear fruit in my own life. Amen!

Further Reading: Matthew 5:43–48, Luke 23:34, Romans 12:14–21