I have to say I absolutely love this verse- it's filled with inspiration.
First, it mentions quite specifically that Jabez was known as 'the brother who prayed to God.' How are you described by your family members? I don't know about you, but I want to be known by my family (and friends, and neighbors) as the one who prayed to God. The one who was known for depending on God in all things. We can't pray enough- out loud in front of our kids, peers, parents- in quiet time, while we're driving, in class, at work.
A few things I learned from the prayer of Jabez:
1. He asked for God's blessing- he didn't just expect God to bless him. How many times do we just expect God to bless us with good grades, good health, better relationships, better finances... when we aren't even doing our part in taking our requests to Him in prayer or when we aren't even faithful at keeping up with our end of our relationship with Him?
2. He prayed for three specific things:
- for God to help him in his work- this could mean your asking for help with school, with your attitude, with ministry, with your duties at home or work
- for God to be with him in all he did- do you pick and choose where you want God to intervene in your life? do you think, at times, that God doesn't need to be bothered with that? This part of Jabez' prayer shows me we need to ask God to be in all areas of our lives- we are never bothering God.
- for God to keep him from trouble and pain- WOW! this would save us a whole lot of anxiety if we would ask God to keep us from trouble and pain- that's praying proactively, instead of waiting until we are in the midst of the trouble and pain. We need to be praying for our safety and the safety of those we love at all times, asking God to keep us and protect us. Not just for physical safety, but spiritual safety (beginning with our thoughts, motives, and desires)- we live in a dangerous, relentless world.
Many times, my kids ask me for things- like candy for example. They may point to it (while I'm not even looking, hmmm- wonder why I don't respond), or say rather abrubtly, "Mom, can I have that!" Or they might make some kind of sound that is somehow supposed to mean, "Mom may I please have a piece of candy?" My response to them at this point is always, "Be specific, use words, ask politley!" Of course, I'm also thinking- do they need it or deserve it? I already knew what they wanted, but I needed to hear them ask for it in a civil manner. God is the same way, He knows what we want (and need), but he wants to hear us ask for it, He wants to hear our hearts.
4. Not only should we make our requests known, but acknowledging our need for God in all areas of our lives is vital. We have no right asking for blessings when he isn't in the center of our lives.
Notice the end of the verse-
"And God granted him his request."
Now, realizing that God doesn't always grant our requests- we need to see the importance of how Jabez prayed. Understand that he probably made a habit of praying like this and living faithfully to God in all areas of his life. What an amazing role model he was to his brothers...
Let this verse challenge you to take your prayer time up a few notches and to keep God as the center of your daily life- and I'm sure then you'll find that "God will grant you your request!"
love guys
ttyl,
Pam S.
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