CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 863

“Jabez Prayer”

…And God granted what he asked. (1 Chronicles 4:10)

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We all want our prayers answered and we tend to want them answered in the manner we have preconceived. Therefore, when we see a passage in Scripture that concludes with God granting a request it gets our attention. Could it be that there is some special formula, recipe, routine, or ritual that will guarantee results? Is there a method to manipulating God’s hand through prayer?

The truth of the matter is that God is sovereign. He is God and we are not (Daniel 4:35). We must be careful to maintain a proper perspective in our relationship with God as our Father and to avoid the tendency to attempt to manipulate His hand through prayer and works. The prayer of Jabez recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 is a beautiful example of a prayer relationship with God. Unfortunately, it has been ritualized and marketed to the masses as a means of gaining God’s favor and material blessing. Let’s examine it further.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers… (v9): To be honorable is to be characterized by integrity and righteousness. It is through salvation and being born again by the Spirit of God that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to us (Philippians 3:9). When we approach God in prayer we should approach Him with a humble acknowledgement of our sinful nature and with a confidence that comes through the righteousness of Jesus (Luke 18:9-14).

Jabez called upon the God of Israel… (v10): We are to call upon the one, true God in prayer. Far too many who proclaim to be Christians dilute their prayer life by calling upon saints, and other deceased in their prayers. Many follow ritualistic methods of repetitious prayer with their words being many and their hearts remaining far from God (Isaiah 29:13). We must come to God and God alone in prayer. By faith in Jesus we are children of God. We must come into His presence in prayer as a child comes to their loving Father.

…Oh that you would bless me… (v10): We are first and foremost blessed with eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and we should acknowledge and rejoice in this blessing. We are further blessed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, giving us power, wisdom and His gifts to be overcomers and victorious over the darkness and sin of this world. We err when we take the blessing of our personal relationship with God for granted and seek first in prayer the things of this world and not the giver of such gifts (Matthew 6:33). Scripture does indeed exhort us to ask God for what we need and desire. However, we are to do so with proper motives of heart (James 4:3).

…enlarge my border… (v10): Is this request solely for greater land and possessions? Could it be for greater influence in proclaiming the Gospel and bringing the lost to salvation through faith in Christ? Let the Holy Spirit reveal your heart’s true motives in your prayer requests.

…that your hand might be with me… (v10): This is seeking first His kingdom. We need God’s presence to be with us in all our endeavors. This is a prayerful desire to maintain a close walk with God as we live out our daily lives in work or play.

…that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain! (v10): Our life on earth will not be without trial and difficulty. Through our close relationship with God, we come to rely on and trust in His perfect will, love, protection, and grace to see us through the rough patches. He may not always deliver us from them, but He is faithful to always give us the grace to get through them.

May your prayer life be powerful and effective (James 5:16).