The Prayer of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4 9

The Prayer of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4: 9 -10

Jabez of First Chronicles The prayer of Jabez might be overlooked because it is located within a “dry mass of dead names” found in 1 Chronicles 1 -9 Bruce Wilkinson wrote The Prayer of Jabez in 2000 which started a religious marketing phenomenon (website, clothing, mugs, etc. ) What can we learn from this brief biography … the four petitions of Jabez’ prayer?

Jabez the Man Some difficulty surrounding his birth caused his mother to name him “Jabez” (he causes pain); yet, Jabez was “more honorable” (a man of weight) than his brethren People who come from past difficulties and hardships can live honorably in the sight of God § Repent of the past (Lk. 15: 17 ff; 1 Cor. 6: 9 -11) § Forget the past (Phil. 3: 13 -14) § Be different from the past (Acts 17: 11)

Jabez the Man The honorable life was a life of prayer (Phil. 4: 6; 1 Thess. 5: 17 -18) Jabez prayed for specific things; he prayed with boldness and confidence in God

Jabez the Prayer The first petition: “bless me…” Jabez asked to be blessed by God We need to ask God to bless us physically (Phil. 4: 19; Jas. 1: 17) and spiritually (Acts 3: 26; Eph. 1: 3)

Jabez the Prayer The second petition: “enlarge my border…” Jabez was not making a selfish, covetous request (Jas. 4: 3), but a request for the promise of God’s land inheritance (Ex. 34: 24; Deut. 12: 20; 19: 8; Isa. 26: 15) We need to ask God to “enlarge” what he promises Christians: opportunities, talents, service, responsibilities, etc.

Jabez the Prayer The third petition: “thy hand might be with me…” Jabez asked God for his providential hand of protection and guidance (Ezra 7: 9) We need to ask God to providentially protect and guide us through life (Psa. 37: 23 -24; 119: 173; Jn. 10: 28; 1 Pet. 5: 6 -7)

Jabez the Prayer The fourth petition: “keep me from evil…” Jabez asked God to be kept from the evil which leads to sorrow (Prov. 23: 29; Gal. 6: 9) We need to ask God to keep us from… Evil influences (Deut. 31: 20; 32: 15; Prov. 30: 8 -9) The evil one (Mt. 6: 13; Jn. 17: 15) Evil knowledge (Rom. 16: 19) Evil works of men (2 Thess. 3: 2; 2 Tim. 4: 18; 2 Pet. 2: 5 -9)

God Answers Prayer “And God granted that which he requested” (1 Chron. 4: 10) God stands ready to hear and answer the honorable follower (Mt. 7: 7 -11; Eph. 3: 20; 1 Jn. 5: 14 -15) God gave Jabez blessing rather than sorrow