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The Prayer of Jabez

The Prayer of Jabez. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Jabez of First Chronicles. The prayer of Jabez might be overlooked because it is located within a “dry mass of dead names” found in 1 Chronicles 1-9

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The Prayer of Jabez

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  1. The Prayer of Jabez 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

  2. Jabez of First Chronicles • The prayer of Jabez might be overlooked because it is located within a “dry mass of dead names” found in 1 Chronicles 1-9 • Bruce Wilkinson wrote The Prayer of Jabez in 2000 which started a religious marketing phenomenon (website, clothing, mugs, etc.) • What can we learn from this brief biography … the four petitions of Jabez’ prayer?

  3. Jabez the Man • Some difficulty surrounding his birth caused his mother to name him “Jabez” (he causes pain); yet, Jabez was “more honorable” (a man of weight) than his brethren • People who come from past difficulties and hardships can live honorably in the sight of God • Repent of the past (Lk. 15:17ff; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) • Forget the past (Phil. 3:13-14) • Be different from the past (Acts 17:11)

  4. Jabez the Man • The honorable life was a life of prayer (Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17-18) • Jabez prayed for specific things; he prayed with boldness and confidence in God

  5. Jabez the Prayer The first petition: “bless me…” • Jabez asked to be blessed by God • We need to ask God to bless us physically (Phil. 4:19; Jas. 1:17) and spiritually (Acts 3:26; Eph. 1:3)

  6. Jabez the Prayer The second petition: “enlarge my border…” • Jabez was not making a selfish, covetous request (Jas. 4:3), but a request for the promise of God’s land inheritance (Ex. 34:24; Deut. 12:20; 19:8; Isa. 26:15) • We need to ask God to “enlarge” what he promises Christians: opportunities, talents, service, responsibilities, etc.

  7. Jabez the Prayer The third petition: “thy hand might be with me…” • Jabez asked God for his providential hand of protection and guidance (Ezra 7:9) • We need to ask God to providentially protect and guide us through life (Psa. 37:23-24; 119:173; Jn. 10:28; 1 Pet. 5:6-7)

  8. Jabez the Prayer The fourth petition: “keep me from evil…” • Jabez asked God to be kept from the evil which leads to sorrow (Prov. 23:29; Gal. 6:9) • We need to ask God to keep us from… • Evil influences (Deut. 31:20; 32:15; Prov. 30:8-9) • The evil one (Mt. 6:13; Jn. 17:15) • Evil knowledge (Rom. 16:19) • Evil works of men (2 Thess. 3:2; 2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Pet. 2:5-9)

  9. God Answers Prayer • “And God granted that which he requested” (1 Chron. 4:10) • God stands ready to hear and answer the honorable follower (Mt. 7:7-11; Eph. 3:20; 1 Jn. 5:14-15) • God gave Jabez blessing rather than sorrow

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