THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

 

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

 "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.“ - 1 Chronicles 4:10

1) MORE BLESSING
 “That you would bless me”  

Ephesians 1:3 - “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”.

JACOB AT PENIEL - Genesis 32:24-30

“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Angel says, “let me go, for the day breaks.”

“I will not let you go until you bless me.” And the Lord blessed Jacob by changing his name to be Israel: for as a prince thou has power with God and with men and has prevailed.”

GOD IS ABLE

Eph. 3:20  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

2) MORE TERRITORY OR MINISTRY
“And enlarge my territory”

Enlarge The Territory - 2 Corinthians 10:15,16

… “not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preached the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.”

In his book “The Prayer of Jabez” Bruce Wilkinson does a great job of showing this prayer as a plea for God in increase us in ministry, not in wealth.  However if this prayer sits on our desk or hangs on the file cabinet, it becomes just another icon.  You can hang the Jabez prayer on the wall of every room in your house and nothing will happen.”

So you see, the prayer of Jabez is a good model prayer for “increasing in ministry”.  Our prayer is for the Zeal of the Lord and the Revival of God for our Churches and land.  Praying for Church members to be in the Intercession Ministry, Deliverance Ministry, Healing and Teaching Ministry, etc.

3) MORE POWER
“Let your hand be with me”

Isaiah 49:16 says this “… see I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”

Acts 11:19 - “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia.  The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”

Jabez knew his limitations and as a feeble person he needed help from God. He knew that God was all powerful so he asked God’s hand to be with him.

His hand guides us into all right path and protect us from our journey.  Without God’s hand and his leading the blessings would be a waste as they would not fulfil a good purpose.

So Isa. 49:16 says this “… see I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”  Your walls are hindrances or needs in ministry, daily provisions or a spiritual breakthrough.  His hands are hands of protections also and no one is able to pluck you up from His Almighty Hand. When His hand is upon you – His presence and anointing be upon you always. So let it be.

4) MORE PROTECTION
“Keep me from evil..”

PRAYING FOR PROTECTION - Psalms 91:3-8

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.”

The Hebrew word for Jabez means “he causes pain”.  With this he renounced the awful meaning of his own name.  He asked God to free him from harm so that pain may not befall him.  Jabez needed strength of God to deliver him from all his pain.  Maybe his hurts, his brokenness and all his sore relationships with others.  He needs healing and even inner healing.

Covid 19 causes a lot of pain of body, pain of failed business, lost jobs, divorce emotional pain, there will be pain and more pain coming in the future but we can be free from all these pains. etc. Keep me free from all these pains. I COMMAND YOU TO BE FREE FROM ALL DEMONIC PAIN!

The Fire Had No Power - Daniel 3:27-30

27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

The story of Daniel and his three friends speak to us about another FIRE IN THE fire.

Many times in your trials and tribulation the fire you go through has no power to overcome you.  No evil power over your body, emotions, job, business, family but you can end up in promotion instead.   Promotion is Coming!  Breakthrough Miracles are coming!

Psalms 66:12 says “You brought us out to “Rich Fulfilment”.   God will bless you so much and satisfy your mouth with good things.

Through their obedience – they did not bow down to other gods.   They worship a Living God that acts on their behalf. God will deliver you in the fire.  The Son of Man was in the fire.

5) MORE SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
‘that I may not cause pain”

Ephesians 4:30 - And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free.

“So God granted him (Jabez) what he requested.“
The ending verse says, “keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain” The name Jabez literally means “born with pain”.  His own mother named him this because of the pain she endured in labor! When Jabez prays, he speaks against the testimony of his name and lets go of the shame it covered him in. When you pray, come to God vulnerable and ready for Him to turn your weakness into His glory.

We also read about grieving the Holy Spirit is in Ephesians 4:29-32. The apostle Paul writes:  To grieve means to make sad or sorrowful. It means to cause sorrow, pain, or distress.   But what makes the Holy Spirit sad or sorrowful? We need to be sensitive to God the Holy Spirit.

Praying Jabez’s Prayer in your Devotion

·         Pray through Jabez prayer every morning – pray your blessings out – be specific.

·         Write out your new vision.

·         Prayer for someone- healing/salvation.

·         Record your changes of prayer answered.

·         Pray the Jabez prayer for your family, friends, your church leaders.

·         Prayer for Holy Spirit leading and listening to His voice.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for every spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.  Thank you for spiritual power and authority you have given us. Thank you for enlarging us and your great love, protection and blessing over our lives. God, today enlarging our territory in all areas of life to claim it for your glory. Expand our borders and use our life to bring you honor and fame. Enlarge our influence in our workplace, our community and home. May we bring you praise for all that you have done. Help us to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit today. We ask for your guidance so that we might walk fully in your blessing and goodness today.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

BENEDICTION
Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and
be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and
give you peace. May the Good Lord  bless you and your family.