I have a 97 cherokee that runs and runs then all of a sudden just spits an slid sputters to a stop and eventually starts and runs fine any ideas

 

Have you taken to te if it has any stored codes?

 

Yes nothing regarding fuel or ignition problems. If you leave it sit over night it starts and runs fine for a while then dies.

 

And here starts the idea throwing show: CPS.
No starts are helpful when devided into no fuel or no spark scenario. So, if possible check these when you have a no-start.

However, the intermittent character suggest something electrical, and since its a 4.0 and randomly sputters, coughs and doesnt want to start unless you leave if for a while: I think CPS high on the culprit-list. Very common to fail at some point in the 4.0 life. You can do a resistance test if you want. And if you do replace it, take a good quality/OEM one.