PRAYING JABEZ'S PRAYER
I Chronicles 4:9-10
By W. Clyde Martin

My text of only two verses gives to all of God's children an open door to blessings. These two jewels are found in the quagmire of unfamiliar and uninteresting names in a Hebrew family tree. Beginning at the top, the list becomes more boring as you proceed and our mind can find no earthly reason for continuing, until we get to the ninth verse of chapter four, where our mind is arrested and captivated by the refreshing story of a man named Jabez. This study is about a man who was notable only for the fact that his prayer for himself was answered. Nothing interest me more than how to get prayer about my personal and spiritual needs answered. Jabez knew how to pray for himself. Let's examine how he did it. The purpose of this study also is to specifically determine whether or not we should pray for ourselves as did Jabez.

PRAYING JABEZ'S PRAYER WORD FOR WORD

Perhaps all will agree that Jabez's prayer is a model prayer, however there seems to be a current question as to the value of simply reciting this recorded prayer of Jabez, even as some see value in simply repeating the Lord's prayer. Surely the genuine child of God would lay no claim to a magical charm upon life by merely repeating the words of this or any other prayer. However, even as we follow the instructions of Jesus in His model prayer, we find encouragement to pray in the order that Jabez prayed; Providing that we process the same qualities of faith as did Jabez. This prayer seems to be the key to extraordinary favor with God.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. Should we hope to obtain the same results as Jabez, we must have the same large concept of God as he had in order to be honored by God. Jabez was a man of faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Heb. 11:6)

I have given much time in reading what both current and past commentators have to say about these two tremendous verses. I am rather impressed with the thoughts of Ironside as to Jabez's prayer. He divides this prayer fourfold. (as do most all writers)

(1) Bless me indeed
(2) Enlarge my coast
(3) That thine hand may be with me
(4) Keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain

BLESS ME . . . INDEED

Jabez seems to reflect upon the unfavorable plight of his birth. Not only was be born in pain, he was a pain! His very presence seems to be painful for others. Vander Warner, Jr. in a sermon "How To Pray For Yourself" comments on the name Jabez: "Take his name. Names reflected character in Biblical days. His mother named him. That in itself was different and unusual and probably had a bad connotation. Fathers named children in those days."

His mother named him Jabez which translated means "pain" or "sorrow" and correctly translated clearly implies "He will cause pain." Apparently she was not happy over her pregnancy. So Jabez was born unwanted; perhaps a source of embarrassment. This of course is uncertain but something of pain and sorrow was associated with his birth. He was a nobody, a pain but he prayed. Jabez came into this world with two strikes against him.

If this be so, then what made him more honorable? He was more honorable because he prayed. He was more honorable because he ask God for a big thing... not for a mere blessing but he prayed, "bless me indeed!"

Jabez saw himself as he really was, less than average in life. He seem to say, "God it will take a lot but bless me beyond all others. God was pleased with his prayer and blessed him 'indeed'.

Should we pray for ourselves as did Jabez? Should I ask for such an experience? Should I pray the prayer of Jabez? Is this such a prayer that a 77 year old man should pray after having preached for 60 years? Yes, I would indeed desire that my final days be "more honorable" for God.

THE PRAYER IN FULL

Perhaps by analyzing this successful prayer of Jabez we can best determine whether we should adopt his prayer as a model for ourselves. Evidently the thing that he asked pleased the Lord; even though it was unlike Solomon's prayer when he asked for an understanding heart to judge the people. (I Kings 3:10-12) Jabez prayed for riches, and long life for self, yet in his prayer was the desire for God's hand to guide him in the expanded territory that he requested and that God would keep him from the evils that often accompany riches.

If we are to pray as Jabez prayed we must make certain of our motive. "Enlarge my boundaries" at first seems a bit greedy, yet thinking more deeply upon the life making the request, we come to understand that a strong awakening for doing something great for God motivated him. He was more honorable than his brothers. Who is it among us who does not wish to do more for our blessed Saviour? Is not our desire to have an expanded ministry for Him

If we are to pray the prayer of Jabez we must remember that once God answers such a prayer for "increased borders" the responsibilities increase accordingly. God's Word makes clear that "Much is required from those to whom much is given, for their responsibility is greater." (Luke 12:48) In the light of this truth we should not pray the prayer of Jabez without counting the full cost of added obligation to God. Are we at present a good steward of the blessings now being received from God? Are we prepared to be a good management of enlarged borders?

THE PRAYER FOR THE HAND

"And that thine hand might be with me." Here we see in Jabez a display of great wisdom. Jabez is a smart man. He knows how great wealth and expanded property often leads a man to conceit and self destruction. With great faith to believe that God will answer his prayer, he prepares for the change. He puts himself into the omnipotent secure hand of Almighty God.

Perhaps here we can detect another reason for Jabez's honorable reputation. No doubt he had been a good steward of his past and present blessings. It is said that he was "more honorable". We can safely believe that he was a tither. It would seem useless to pray for expanded borders if one is robbing God by failing to bring into the storehouse a tenth of that which God has already blessed us with.

In asking for God's hand to control his expected increase of wealth, Jabez indicated his willingness to take a hands-off management to his affairs. How often has our own hand mismanaged our life? How often has the hand of others misled or misdirected us? How blessed we are when we can through complete surrender say, God has "beset me behind and before, and has laid His hand upon me." (Palms 195:5)

THE PRAYER OF VICTORY OVER EVIL "And that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me." Jabez was very conscious that such a blessing as he ask could be taken from him because of sin. We are made aware of the far-reaching, comprehensive faith of Jebez. Believing that God would grant his request for expanded borders, he wisely prayed that God would place His perpetual protection upon the blessing and secure it from evil that could surely take it away. Not only was Jabez an honorable man, he was a smart man.

Our Lord Jesus taught us the wisdom of praying "deliver me from evil." Sin is the enemy of our lives in Christ. Satan's constant and relenting attack upon us demands that we pray repeatedly in repentance and claim the glorious promise of 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The starling fact is that sin is the only thing that can rob a Christian of God's full joy.

Jabez teaches us that we can only keep God's blessings with a clean life. Expanded borders have a way of shrinking in sin. There is a need in our lives to pray always the prayer of Jabez .

Perhaps we can profit by taking note of the wording in the New King James version: "And that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain ." As noted earlier Jabez was not only in pain, he was a pain! This whole prayer reflects the way he came into this world; unwanted and sorrowful.

"That I may not cause pain." Jabez was aware that he caused pain to his mother and others. If we are not alert to this we might loose sight of the real motive for the praying of this prayer. He wanted to be a blessing to others for God. He wanted his life to count for God. I urge us all to pray Jabez's prayer often with the same motive that caused him to cry out before God. There can be no more nobler reason for asking that our borders be enlarged ____only for the glory of God!

THE PRAYER ANSWERED

Perhaps the most important part of Jabez's prayer is found in the last line of verse 10: "And God granted Him that which he requested."

Jebez teaches us how to pray for ourselves and get an answer. It is feared that some spend more time requesting prayer than praying. I have learned to enlist prayer from God's children. Paul instructed the Colossian saints to "Continue in prayer ... withal praying also for me that God would open unto us a door of utterance." I often ask others to pray for me, but we must learn to pray for ourselves. Jabez teaches us how!

Many go through childhood depending on Mother's prayers and many go into adulthood solely depending on mother's prayers. We must learn to pray correctly and directly for ourselves.

The underlining purpose of this message is to encourage you to PRAY THE PRAYER that Jabez prayed. I challenge you to pray for more blessings and greater influence.

Our prayer might take on such a form : "O God, please expand my opportunities and impact in such a way that I touch more lives for your glory. Let me do more for you!"

(W. Clyde Martin is editor of THE PRAYER LIFE, a monthly online magazine that promotes closet praying among the redeemed. You may contact him by e-mail (wclydemartin@webtv.net)