Prayer of Jabez

I don’t quite remember who told me about this book but when I came across it while browsing the shelves in Powerbooks 4 years ago, I bought it. And it has changed the way I pray. I don’t believe that this prayer or any other prayer is meant to be recited word-for-word. It definitely isn’t a magic pill or formula to get God to answer all my petitions. But I believe it shows a balanced view that prayer is to be infused with confident humility. To want for ourselves nothing more and nothing less than what God wants for us. These are merely elements that we can include when we call upon God’s grace.

“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. “ (1 Chronicles 4, 9-10)

I don’t think these are selfish requests. When placed in the context of a living God, who is the true source of all blessings, I believe the prayer means:

~ Bless me in order to make me a blessing to others.
~ Increase my influence and impact for You.
~ Without You I can do nothing that lasts.
~ Protect me from evil and from causing evil.

I hope I don’t sound preachy! I just wanted to share something that has helped me a lot over the past few years. And there are so many more insights that you can pick up from this little book aside from the prayer itself. Hope it blesses you as much as I’ve been blessed by it!