1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. NIV: New International Version
In 1 Chronicles chapter four there is a listing of the family of Judah. In the middle of that long list of names we read the name Jabez.
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested.”
Out of all the names listed in this chapter, Jabez gets recognition and has his simple prayer to God answered. That gives me reason to pause.
The name “Jabez” means pain! What mother in her right mind names her child pain!?!?!? Yet, God saw a sincere heart and a young man filled with potential. God knew that Jabez loved God and would serve Him in all that he did. God saw that Jabez was a man with character.
Character is a trait that makes the person. A strong character causes people to look up and listen. A positive character brings out the best in everyone. Combine this good character with godly principles and you have the makings of the completed man. Jabez was that man.
What is so unusual about this prayer, and why have preachers been talking about it for centuries? Let’s look at the prayer piece by piece in order to discover why God was pleased enough with Jabez’s prayer to have it forever recorded in scripture.
His prayer was in four parts:
- He prayed that God would bless him.
- He prayed that God would enlarge his territory.
- He prayed that God’s hand would be upon him.
- He prayed that God would keep him from evil.
The prayer includes everything that make for a well-rounded person. When we have God’s blessings and He expands the area of our influence, we live a life guided by the Master and protected from Satan’s tactics. We live a life of abundance combined with a strong Christian character. We become an invested member of God’s family.
God used the people of the Bible as “patterns.” He still uses these “patterns” today. Take hold of the promises of God and do something great for Him. Go ahead and ask Him for the moon, and he will give you the sun and the stars as well! His desire is to bless us. Pray Jabez’s prayer daily. What he did for Jabez He will do for you! Don’t stop praying! PUSH pray;
Pray
Until
Something
Happens…then pray some more!
Leave a Reply