Yes, we’re all blessed in tremendous ways, the Bible tells us so. Now try to look around you, indeed we’ve got a list of the favors we keep receiving from God, but what if there should have been more in store? What if we just have to unlock the door of blessings and answers to our needs? Or maybe the right question goes: “What must we do?”
The Holy Scripture stated various examples of prayers that highlight dependence on God. Only Jesus can lift us up in all kinds of circumstances. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for good work.”
However, there is one prayer that models the true heart of a servant, who also has strong confidence to his Master. That is the “Prayer of Jabez.” For some, it is described as “an example of faithful prayer in action.”
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” (1 Chronicles 4:10)
During this certain situation we are facing as a society, this kind of prayer will help us find direction to what we must do and how should we respond to the circumstance.
In his prayer, Jabez’ message was not to get something from God, instead he was utterly asking help from God to help him accomplish His promises in his life!
What Made Jabez’s Prayer so Effective and Powerful?
First: He acknowledged God’s Lordship over his life. (Jabez cried out to the God of Israel)
Second: Jabez recognized God as the one and only true God, and blessings come from God alone. (Oh that You would bless me)
Third: Jabez was not only thinking about multiplication of physical territory, but he was actually concerned about being used for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. (and enlarge my territory)
Fourth: More than anything else, Jabez asked God to be with him in every moment of his journey. He knew that if God is with him, he will never go astray. (Let your hand be with me)
Fifth: The name “Jabez,” when literally translated would literally mean “born with pain.” In his prayer, he came to God with humility and vulnerability, and made himself ready for God to transform him and cleanse him against the testimony of his given name. (and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain)
Finally, the Scripture said, And God granted his request.
The short yet genuine prayer of Jabez shows us a pattern on how we should communicate with God. The main guidance we get from the prayer however, is that we should come to the Lord in humility, vulnerability and confidence in His promises.
Now tell me, are you still afraid?
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