The prayer of Jabez - What is it?

what does the bible say?

The Jabez prayer originates from an excerpt in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 that speaks of a man named Jabez who had honorable character, but had been dealt a hard h and in life. Not desiring his life to be one of hardship and having faith in God’s goodness, Jabez asked the Lord to bless him. God responded to Jabez by fulfilling his requests. As the passage about Jabez shows, God desires to bless His children with good things, just like a Father loves giving gifts to his children (Matthew 6:32-33). Because of our relationship with God, we can confidently ask Him for blessings, —such as godly wisdom (James 1:5-6)—knowing that He listens to and cares for us (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jabez was godly and approached God in humility. When we pray to God, we should have a similar heart posture.

from the old testament

• The prayer of Jabez is found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10: “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your h and might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.”

from the new testament

• God is a good Father who desires to give His children good things (Matthew 6:32-33). It is not selfish to pray for blessings like Jabez did as long as our motives are Christ-centered.
• We, like Jabez, can approach God confidently. As God’s children, we have access to God through the work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Whatever we ask for, we can ask for it confidently as we align our desires with God’s will.
• James 1:5-6 says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” Jabez demonstrated faith in his prayers, and we should do the same.

implications for today

Jabez’ prayer is recorded right in the middle of a long genealogical record. His story was so significant that the writer paused his listings of heritage to provide further information about him. Jabez was born in pain, and he was in turn branded with a name that sounds like the Hebrew word for “pain.” Given his start to life, Jabez’s future did not look especially bright. However, he prayed to God with confidence, requesting God’s blessing (including enlargement of territory), God’s h and (or guidance), and God’s protection. Moreover, Jabez specifically asked for God to keep him from the pain his name implied. He wanted to live a life marked by God, not one marked by the pain of the world—and God granted Jabez’s requests! As a child of God, we can be like Jabez and approach God in confidence asking that He bless us. Whatever God’s will for us is, we can be sure it is for our best, even if we don’t initially realize that.

Recap

understand

• Jabez prayed to God with faith and humility, asking for blessings, guidance, and protection, and God granted his requests.
• Jabez’s prayer demonstrates that, as God’s children, we can confidently approach Him, seeking His will.
• Jabez’s example teaches that a life marked by dependence on God and trust in His goodness can overcome difficult circumstances.

reflect

• How willing are you to approach God with your requests?
• In what areas of your life do you need God’s guidance, protection, or blessing, and how can you bring them to Him in prayer?
• How does Jabez’s humility and dependence on God challenge the way you pray and trust Him with your circumstances?

engage

• How can we encourage each other to pray boldly yet humbly, following Jabez’s example?
• How does understanding God’s desire to bless His children affect how we approach Him in prayer?
• How can we discern whether our prayers align with God’s will, as Jabez’s did, while seeking His guidance and protection?