But if it were me, I would encourage you.I would try to take away your grief.6Instead, I suffer if I defend myself,and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.

A mob gathers against me.11God has handed me over to sinners.He has tossed me into the hands of the wicked.

“You must defend my innocence, O God,since no one else will stand up for me.4You have closed their minds to understanding,but do not let them triumph.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to have an encouraging heart and to keep myself and other lifted up. Protect me from the darkness yet make my eyes open to it so I may not fall. You are my hope and defense and in you only will I win this battle.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked,and God blinds the eyes of the judges.If he’s not the one who does it, who is?

“God is not a mortal like me,so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.33If only there were a mediator between us,someone who could bring us together.34The mediator could make God stop beating me,and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.35Then I could speak to him without fear,but I cannot do that in my own strength.

“I am disgusted with my life.Let me complain freely.My bitter soul must complain.2I will say to God, ‘Don’t simply condemn me—tell me the charge you are bringing against me.3What do you gain by oppressing me?Why do you reject me, the work of your own hands,while smiling on the schemes of the wicked?

Lord God my Father,

You are in control even when I see so much evil, allow me to rest in your peace and not try to do your work for you, soften my heart and give me discernment to do your will above my own. I am a broken sinner made worthy only by your grace.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

One day the members of the heavenly court1:6a Hebrew the sons of God. came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan,1:6b Hebrew and the satan; similarly throughout this chapter. came with them. 7“Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 

The Lord gave me what I had,and the Lord has taken it away.Praise the name of the Lord!”22In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

Lord God my Father,

I lift up my children to you and pray your Truth rest well with them. Protect my family from evil desire and help me keep your peace in all situations, you are always good. Keep me in the company of your people.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Surely resentment destroys the fool,and jealousy kills the simple.3I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment,but then comes sudden disaster.

“Oh, that I might have my request,that God would grant my desire.9I wish he would crush me.I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.10At least I can take comfort in this:Despite the pain,I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people? Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong. Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?

Lord God my Father,

May your Truth and Peace overwhelm my concerns, allow your desire to have it’s way with me. Stop my desire to understand your plan and follow you with complete trust. Keep me ready to do your will.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But now that their father was dead, 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.

“Before your father died, he instructed us 17to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21No, don’t be afraid. 

Lord God my Father,

Protect my heart from fear and deceit, help me to trust in your plan when it doesn’t make sense to me. It is all for your Glory.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

May God Almighty43:14 Hebrew El-Shaddai. give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.”

“Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.”

But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. 

Lord God my Father,

I surrender to your plan, what ever I want will never compare to what you want for me. Allow you peace to rest well with me and trust you plan to bring your Glory to me. Use me and all my past to bring your plan alive thru me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”16“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

 God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.

This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased.

Lord God my Father,

Open my heart to accept your wisdom, give me courage to act on it without delay. Allow me to place all my worries at your feet and trust you completely.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.

Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.

The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.

Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 

Lord God my Father,

Help me to look past what I see to expect your glory to be released in your plan. Help me to leave your work to you and trust in your plan. Be with me this day, guide and bless my actions and may all I do please you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” 7Jacob was terrified at the news.

O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly,

Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, Israel means “God fights.” because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

“But why should we let him treat our sister like a prostitute?” they retorted angrily.

Lord God my Father,

I see your plan is quite different than I would expect. Help me to live in your truth from your perspective and understand the struggle is important.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. 

“Please, sir, forgive me if I don’t get up for you. I’m having my monthly period.” So Laban continued his search, but he could not find the household idols.

Lord God my Father,

Bring your truth to bear on this country, my friends and myself, Lead me to your work with your power. Alone I am weak and afraid, help me keep my focus on you alone.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen