“The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz became the father of Anub, Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel son of Harum. Jabez was honored more than his brothers; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked.” (I Chronicles 4:7-10)

“Ask,” promised Jesus, “and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). “You do not have because you do not ask,” said James (James 4:2). Even though there is no limit to God’s goodness, if you didn’t ask Him for a blessing yesterday, you didn’t get all that you were supposed to have.” (Bruce H. Wilkinson, The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life)

It is from an obscure text in the book of 1 Chronicles, chapter 4 verses 9 – 10, within the descendants of Judah, that we have the prayer of Jabez. This prayer just four or five years ago or more sparked a tremendous renewing of prayer life and stirred the interest in prayer for many Christians. The prayer is short – but the books that it sparked were long and quite profitable for its author. It is a short prayer that can be memorized – and could be incorporated into one’s prayer life. The only thing that disturbs me about this prayer is the single mindedness of the prayer. 

Lord, bless ME and enlarge MY border, that your hand might be with ME, and that you would keep ME from hurt and harm.   

Look, if we compare this prayer with the Lord’s Prayer, we find a startling difference. The “Our Father” does not begin with MY Father, but Our Father, the Lord of all, whose name is hallowed. Continue to look at this prayer and see how the Lord’s Prayer focuses on the community of believers. “Give us this day our daily bread…and forgive us…”

Which prayer should we, as members of the body of Christ, memorize and utilize in our prayer lives? It could be both – I believe all time spent in prayer is good time spent. Both kinds of prayers should be prayed since our faith is not an individual thing but will always be part of the body of believers.

Pastor Dave