The Prayer of Jabez
By Bruce Wilkinson
I Chronicles 4
9 – And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.
10 – And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
- “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed” – vs. 10
He prayed for himself – it is not selfish, we are supposed to
He prayed with urgency, said “indeed”
Prov 10:22
Matthew 7:7
James 4:2
- “and enlarge my coast” – vs. 10
Surely I was born for more than this
All you Lord have given me, take it and enlarge it
Ask Lord to add to, favor my relationships and influence and multiply for His glory
God give me more ministry for You
This is the appointment from the Lord
My willingness and weakness + God’s will and supernatural power = my expanding territory.
When start asking God earnestly for more influence and opportunity to honor Him, He will send people and opportunities my way.
- “and that thine hand might be with me” – vs. 10
Now that God is blessing me, I must realize that if He doesn’t have His hand on me, sustain me, I can not continue.
I must realize that I can not do it alone – and as He blesses me, it will be obvious and I will begin to think that I can not do it alone, that is a good thing.
II Corinthians 3:5-6
“hand of the Lord” – Joshua 4:24; Isaiah 59:1; Acts 11:21; Matthew 28:19-20
That He fills me (same as His hand upon me) – Acts 1:8; 4:13; 5:29; 7:51; 9:27; 4:23-31; 2:42-47; Ephesians 3:19, 16
II Chronicles 16:9
- “and that thou wouldest keep me from evil”
doesn’t say keep me through evil but from evil.
Success brings with it great opportunities for failure – many great men have fallen
Matthew 6:13
Learn not to depend on my wisdom, experience or feelings – pray He keeps me from evil.
Colossians 2:13, 15
- “Jabez was more honourable than his brethren” – vs. 9
More important what God thinks than what man or I think, its no credit for myself
I need God with me now
- “And God granted him that which he requested” – vs. 10
Make this prayer part of your daily fabric
Not a prayer that will change things, rather what you believe