In the book that bears his name, Job saw that those who do not believe in God were disinclined to pray:

Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? ...They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not desire the know- ledge of your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’

Job 21:7,14-15

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When Job was greatly afflicted with a dreadful skin disease that left him with loathsome sores all over his body, he received scant comfort from his three friends that came to commiserate with him.

Their argument was that his affliction was proof of his iniquity — that God was bringing him into judgment. His rebuttal was that wicked men often appear to prosper and have everything go well for them. His friends connected a man’s life circumstances with the man’s favour with God. Job disputed this relationship.

In the course of his rebuttal, after observing that wicked men often live to old age and have all the appearances of prosperity, he noted that they spurn knowledge of God’s ways. In addition, they view prayer as a transactional experience. If they do not receive from the Almighty what they demand and expect, they see prayer as having no profit for themselves, and therefore no longer pray.

A prerequisite for prayer is to believe in God — that there is a living Supreme Being who hears the prayers made to Him and has the power to answer them according to His will. Let’s explore further this connection between praying to the Almighty and having trust in His will.

Last updated 2026-01-20 Next update scheduled 2026-02-21