March 30

The LORD turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. - Job 42:10.

THUS we see that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. There is not only the efficiency of personal prayer, but the efficiency of relative prayer. The prayer which led to Job’s deliverance was not a prayer for himself but for others. When our Saviour taught his disciples to pray, he did not teach them to say my Father, but “Our Father, who art in heaven.” And thus he intimates to all his followers that they are not to come to the throne of grace for themselves alone. We should remember this, that as in the days of his flesh the dear Redeemer never rejected any that came to him on their own behalf, so he never rejected any who came pleading with him on behalf of others.

Let this, therefore, encourage parents to pray for their children, masters and mistresses to pray for their servants, relatives to pray for their friends. We should never forget what a resource we have in such prayers. We are passing through a world of misery, and are continually meeting with wretchedness we cannot relieve. We can sympathise and weep with the sufferers, but this is not all. We can retire and address the God of all grace, and engage him on their behalf, “who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.” And the success of our prayer does not depend upon talent or eloquence; for “He despiseth not the prayer of the destitute, but will hear their cry.” And whether we are in the closet, in the field, or in the shop-any where and at anytime-we may avail ourselves of this blessed resource of praying on behalf of others.