Jabez's Prayer for Blessing
Series: Prayers from the Bible
November 06, 2022
Frank Foreman
As we continue our series of prayers in the Bible, we come to one that has been somewhat misunderstood. There are those that might see his prayer as a call to action for God to provide for our material needs and blessings. ---------- For a proper interpretation of his prayer, it needs be understood through a spiritually sound focus, not one of materialism. God’s blessings are the real things that produce real effects. We have the ability to pray for blessing... but God is the one who commands blessings. ---------- The lesson we can truly focus on from his prayer is that we are to establish and maintain prayer without end in our daily lives. As writer Meg Bucher states, "Jabez was not using prayer as a formula to get something from God; rather, he was calling upon God to help him accomplish the promises of God."
Episode Notes
1st Chronicles 4:9, Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
Genesis 12:1-2, Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Big Idea: Jabez asked for God’s blessing so that he could be a blessing to others.
1st Chronicles 4:10a, Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying,
“Oh that You would bless me….”
1. Jabez asked for the blessing of influence.
1st Chronicles 4:10b, Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying,
“….and enlarge my border….”
Matthew 28:19-20, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2. Jabez asked for the blessing of strength.
1st Chronicles 4:10c, Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying,
“….and that Your hand might be with me….”
Exodus 15:2, The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
3. Jabez asked for the blessing of protection.
1st Chronicles 4:10d, Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying,
“….and that You would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!”
Psalm 18:1-3, I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
1st Chronicles 4:10e, And God granted what he asked.
Next Step: I will check my motivation when asking for God’s blessing.
- Why do we pray that God may increase the influence of our church family?
- What are we attempting to do that requires God’s strength?
- Where and when do we most need God’s divine protection?
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