“Will you discredit my justice

and condemn me just to prove you are right?

9Are you as strong as God?

“I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.

Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.

Lord God my Father,

Keep me from trying to understand you and just be obedient without thought. You are God, I am not, you are everything, I am nothing. Use me as you desire. Keep me from thinking I can help others with their struggles so I may keep my focus on mine and deliver your hope as you plan it. Use me till you call me home.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Who is this that questions my wisdom

with such ignorant words?

3Brace yourself like a man,

because I have some questions for you,

and you must answer them.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to not question your plan and stay humble. Help me to understand nothing more than what you want me to and to be nothing more than you want me to be. Help me to hear your questions for me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

Job, you deserve the maximum penalty

for the wicked way you have talked.

37For you have added rebellion to your sin;

you show no respect,

and you speak many angry words against God.”

Lord God my Father,

Keep me from judgment and help me to keep my focus on my relationship with you only. I will never understand the struggle of others or my own, so keep my focus from the distraction of other people’s struggles. Allow me to know you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful,

and his power pierced the gliding serpent.

14These are just the beginning of all that he does,

merely a whisper of his power.

Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”

‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;

to forsake evil is real understanding.’”

Lord God my Father,

You are in control, I am not. Help me to accept your plan without the desire to change it. Help me to follow you without looking away. Protect me from deceit.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.

And after my body has decayed,

yet in my body I will see God!19:26 Or without my body I will see God. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

27I will see him for myself.

Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.

I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape disaster. 31No one criticizes them openly or pays them back for what they have done.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to seek you as my strength and rely on you for my future. I so look forward to eternity with you but till then, help me to do your will here. Keep me from envy of others and secure in your plan for me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“But true wisdom and power are found in God;

counsel and understanding are his.

“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;

he brings light to the deepest gloom.

Why should I put myself in mortal danger13:14 Hebrew Why should I take my flesh in my teeth.

and take my life in my own hands?

15God might kill me, but I have no other hope.13:15 An alternate reading in the Masoretic Text reads God might kill me, but I hope in him.

I am going to argue my case with him.

16But this is what will save me—I am not godless.

If I were, I could not stand before him.

“I wish you would hide me in the grave14:13 Hebrew in Sheol.

and forget me there until your anger has passed.

But mark your calendar to think of me again!

Lord God my Father,

Help me to be still and listen for your wisdom before taking action. You are in charge, I am not. Give me courage to discuss my struggles with you so you may direct me. Don’t let my struggle define me but to find my value in you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

If God comes and puts a person in prison

or calls the court to order, who can stop him?

11For he knows those who are false,

and he takes note of all their sins.

Lord God my Father,

You know me and yet you love me. Change me back to your original design and take my false beliefs from me. Restore me and use me for your pleasure.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Do you think your words are convincing

when you disregard my cry of desperation?

Lord God my Father,

Help me to morn well when trouble finds me but keep me close so your comfort is near. Surround me with good people who love you well.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,

and I will be naked when I leave.

The Lord gave me what I had,

and the Lord has taken it away.

Praise the name of the Lord!”

But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

I cannot eat for sighing;

my groans pour out like water.

25What I always feared has happened to me.

What I dreaded has come true.

26I have no peace, no quietness.

I have no rest; only trouble comes.”

Lord God my Father,

Help me to rest in your plan. The struggles in my path attempt to distract me from your Peace. No level of stress or desire to have things my way will change your plan. Help me to surrender to your way so your Peace can have it’s way in me and restore me. Thank you for the past as it was and the understanding, as weak as it is, to rest on me. You and only you are in control. Keep me from the desire to advise you on how to do your job better.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

the God who has been my shepherd

all my life, to this very day,

Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. 

Lord God my Father,

You are my shepherd and know my path. Help me to join you with your plans for me and live by your design. Keep me from anger and allow your peace to sooth those who struggle around me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen