(This is based on an article that I wrote about two years ago. I have rewritten it and added to it. "The Prayer of Jabez" was a sensation a few years go and kind of faded away, as things usually do. But I think that it has relevance because of its content, not because of some "magical power.")
I'm reaching back in time today to "the Prayer of Jabez." You remember don't you that this prayer was the subject of a book that caused a stir among the brothers and sisters about the importance of it? Some seemed to view it as a magic incantation, while others saw it as only one of the many prayers referred to in the Bible. Here is the prayer as recorded in verse 10: "And Jabez called on the name of the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." Now, I am not about to adopt that prayer as an incantation, but it is worth reflecting on, and is certainly worthy of considering that these are some things that I would want God to do in my life. Would I say that I do not want God to bless me? Would I refuse to have my responsibilities and joys increased? I certainly want the hand of God to be with me as I wind my way through this maze that we call life. I surely want God to keep me from evil and the grief that it would cause me and mine. Without fearing that I am taking this prayer out of context, I will gladly request these things for my life. I will thank Jabez for praying the prayer and thank God for putting it in His word for me to read. God will grant this prayer based on my faith in Him and not because He granted Jabez what he prayed for. I will say about this prayer what I say about the Lord's Prayer: It is not given for us to "repeat," but for us see what the Lord can do in our lives today. Like all other prayers that we pray, God will hear it and act on it according to His will. I am certainly not going to tell you that if you will recite this prayer every day you will have tremendous "luck" in your life. I would certainly not suggest that this prayer take the place the Lord's model prayer, which is, after all, how Jesus taught us to pray. I will, however, suggest that the parts of this prayer are things that we all need in our lives. Besides that, we all need to turn to the Bible as our prayer guide from time to time, for the Bible contains the wisdom of God, and of the ages. Read and reflect on this prayer, because the Holy Spirit put it into the Bible; therefore, it has relevance for your life today. Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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