There are several prayers in the Bible that are included among those considered the greatest ever spoken. Some of my favorites are the prayer of David in Psalm 51, and the prayers of Jesus in Matthew 26:36-46 and John 17. There are several others but these are just a few of my favorites.
Here recently, over the last few years, I have been hearing a lot of discussion on the prayer of Jabez in I Chronicles 4:9-10. In fact, an entire book was written recently on that prayer. The book, even though it is small, is still longer than the prayer because the prayer of Jabez is only a few lines. In I Chronicles 4:9-10 it says, “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ 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.”
The first thing that we should notice is that his mother named him Jabez because it means “I bore him in pain.” Obviously the woman was in much pain when she had Jabez, but it must have given her great pleasure to see that when he was grown he was “more honorable than his brothers.” He was a great man and his example is recorded for everyone to see. Every person that reads the Bible will now know about this “honorable” man and his prayer to God.
The second thing that we should notice is the content of the prayer. (1) Jabez prays for God’s blessing, (2) Jabez prays that God will enlarge his territory, (3) Jabez prays that God’s hand would be with him, (4) Jabez prays that God would keep him from evil, and (5) Jabez prays that he will not cause anyone pain. These are all great things to ask for from God. There would be nothing wrong with us praying for these things today.
This is such a beautiful prayer, not so much for the content but also for the heart of the person who prayed it. It is sad that we know very little more about this man named Jabez. The one thing, to his credit, that we should notice is that “God granted him what he requested.” God answered his prayer! Jabez was considered to be righteous enough that God heard him and gave him everything that he asked. This same promise is made to us by Jesus. Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
The prayer of Jabez is a prayer for revival. We should see this prayer as a great example for us today. Jabez prayed for blessings, both physical and spiritual.He was obviously sincere and humble.We need more people like Jabez today so that they can lead the church of God by their example. Have a great week!!!
You are loved.
Ray Reynolds, PhD
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