Prayer of Jabez

I don’t know about you guys, BUT, as I try to read I Chronicles, or other parts in God’s Word that list name after name, I find myself skipping or skimming past, thinking it is unimportant or let’s be honest- kind of boring. I know that Bro. Doug and Randy Copeland say that every single word in the Bible is inspired by God and important, but I find it difficult to keep my mind on the Geneology. I am sure most of you have heard of the Prayer of Jabez, but let me repeat what I heard today on Joyce Meyer. Afterwards, I researched other favorite pastor’s sermons concerning this prayer. I found them truly inspiring:
I Chronicles 4:10 KJV …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.
What I find so cool about this prayer is it is stuck smack dab in the middle of a whole list of geneology. No other name says hardly anything, but there is Jabez and there is his prayer. His prayer is composed of four parts. First, Jabez asks God to bless him. Second, he asks God to enlarge his territory or increase his responsibility. Third, he prays that God will be with him and stay close. Lastly, Jabez asks that God keep him from harm so that he will be free from pain.
The Prayer of Jabez reveals that he understands what the lost do not- there is only one God and He should be the center of all. God wants to bless every life. But, we must pray to Him and ask for His blessings. I did my discipler lesson last night on prayer, and it really convicted me. God is working on me and my prayer life in a big way.
Also, what is important is that when we pray for goals and accomplishments that we pray it in GOD’s WILL!. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." It is critical to understand and practice this in a close relationship with God. Further, it is equally important to stay close to God and rely on His continued support and guidance throughout life. Jabez clearly knows and prays specifically to the One who can protect him from evil and pain -- God. At the end of the verse it is clear that God approved of this faithful prayer by granting it. It is also important to see that Jabez was passionate in his plea to God: "He cried out to the God of Israel." God wants to hear that we need Him through passionate prayer.
So, what does the Prayer of Jabez mean to us? It reminds us that everybody struggles with choosing to rely on himself or God. However, it is very clear as the rest of the Bible that God is faithful in caring for those who seek Him. Jabez sets a great example of how God wants everyone to come to Him through constant and passionate prayer. God answers prayers when you trust Him (1 Chronicles 5:20). Prayers to God also please Him (Proverbs 15:8). We can all learn from Jabez and faithfully pray to God always in everything that we do. I am so blessed by all of you who pray for me, my children and each other every week. When we send out these requests to each other, I hope each of you are taking the time to lift each name and request up to our Lord and Savior. We need this prayer and I thank each of you for all of your support, help and prayers!