Job is known for his extraordinary patience in the midst of unspeakable suffering. His suffering was physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. We cannot fathom the depths of sorrow in which he was drowning. He prayed to die but lived to suffer another day. Many questions flooded his mind. His various forms of pain made his petition to die speciously urgent.

Those who have never had overwhelming suffering cannot clearly understand the idea of praying to die. Some even think it is sinful to pray to die, and harshly judge Job for a lack of faith. I have seen enough suffering in the lives of others—and had my own trials—that I cannot speak negatively of anyone who wants to be done now with their suffering and enter the glories of heaven.

The design of our Creator was to have a sinless, joyful people to inhabit His home where they might continue to grow in the knowledge of him forever. This is eternal life, to go on knowing more and more about our glorious and sovereign Lord and Master. Such an amazing prospect captures the imagination of every child of God.

If you are, or know someone who is praying to die, be assured that such a prayer is totally acceptable to our Father in heaven. He is listening to your cry for help and will provide you with grace to endure until, like Job, you will be restored to a fully functional life or else you will be blessed with angels coming to you and escorting you to your Father’s home in heaven. So pray as you wish, and may our loving Father give you the desires of your heart.