SCRIPTURE: Job 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain. [Job 7:11] What are people, that you should make so much of us, that you should think of us so often? For you examine us every morning and test us every moment. Why won’t you leave me alone, at least long enough for me to swallow! [Job 7:17-19]
Can you feel Job’s frustration, can you sense his despair?
Job is not just “praying” in the religious sense, he is talking to God, actually he is yelling at God.
Many people (including Job’s friends) would accuse Job of being disrespectful, of being irreverent wit God.
What impacts me as I read this is the raw, bold and honest way that Job talks to God.
This is not religion, this is real, raw relationship!

But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! [Matthew 6:6-8]
This is what appeals to me about Jesus too, He teaches a real, raw and honest relationship with God.
God is not interested in religious piety, fancy prayers which He describes as “babbling”.
Just go to God and talk to Him, don’t make a religious performance of it.

Jesus echoes what Job says, that God is watching, God is listening, He examines us every morning and tests us every moment.
For Job at the moment, this is not a pleasant thought; if God’s watching leads to such a negative experience, then STOP WATCHING ME! (see how honest he is?).
But Jesus puts a different spin on the same thing; yes God is watching, He knows AND He cares!
For the moment it might feel like God has abandoned you.
Be honest about it and tell God – “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” [Matthew 27:46].
We are encouraged to come to God just as we are, warts and all – He already knows.
We are encouraged to be honest with God, even when our feelings are raw, and we are angry.
This is relationship, this is what God wants.
And as we shall see as we continue reading Job, this is what God is pleased with.

So when it comes to prayer, stop worrying about the words, about saying or doing it the right way.
Just talk to God, be honest with God.
He will hear you, He will answer you, He will help you… Because He loves you!

PRAYER:
Lord, You know everything about me, including the good, the bad and the ugly. Help me to pray like Jesus taught, like Job did, in a real, personal and honest relationship with You.