Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Job 1: 5
1:5 And it was so, when the days of [their] feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings [according] to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Job as a Faithful Priest—
It were well for parents to learn from the man of Uz a lesson of steadfastness and devotion. Job did not neglect his duty to those outside of his household; he was benevolent, kind, thoughtful of the interest of others; and at the same time he labored earnestly for the salvation of his own family. Amid the festivities of his sons and daughters, he trembled lest his children should displease God. As a faithful priest of the household, he offered sacrifices for them individually. He knew the offensive character of sin, and the thought that his children might forget the divine claims, led him to God as an intercessor in their behalf (The Review and Herald, August 30, 1881). {3BC 1140.4}
Many a child’s life has changed because of the fervent prayer of a parent. The intercessory prayer of a parent goes up to our great intercessor Jesus, and He hears these prayers. The cry of a parent does not fall to the ground, but is lifted up to the throne of grace. As Job prayed for all his children, our children need our prayers as well. Job did this continually. He did not give up on his children and neither does God. We are all His children and He welcomes us to come to Him in communion. Job was the faithful Priest of his household, an example for us to follow.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come to You in prayer and thanksgiving. We thank You for giving us the power of prayer, our lifeline to heaven. We pray for all our children that You watch over them, protect them, and keep them safe. We have all made mistakes, and we pray that You forgive us and our children from all the sins we have committed against You. We plead on behalf of our children that they may find favor in Your sight. Help us to continue to be an example to them that they may know the way they should go. We pray they may endure to the end, always faithfully fighting the good fight. May we abide under the protection and shadow of Your wings. We thank You in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
