Just Ask Series

"JUST ASK" PRAYER Part 5

ASK – Prayer of Jabez, by William Akehurst, HSWC 12/2/2007

Having studied persistent prayer, the importance, the act of prayer and prayer of thanksgiving, we need to learn how to ask. Here is just one example.

Jabez was referred to as the one who prayed. Not a warrior or hero, but 2 verses depicting his life. He prayed to God, and God answered him.

December 2, 2007

This week, I want to take a look at something new.

Can you guess what that might be?

You’re right. It’s prayer.

Over the past month, we have been looking at prayer. The Lord is still showing me about this subject and as long as He does, I’m gonna stay right there in it.

• Prayer and Persistent Prayer – Widow and the Judge Luke 18:1-8

• Importance of Constant, Persistent, Sleepless Overcoming Prayer [RA Torrey] Ephesians 6:18

• Acts of Prayer Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication – Go to your Room - Matthew 6:6

• Offering Prayer as a sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving – Hebrews 13:15

• So Today - ASK – John 16:24, 1 Chronicles 4:10

Ask and Receive

John 16:24

Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

…That your Joy may be Full.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

I’ve heard some really strange names before, but how many of you named your child, suffering...or sorrow...or pain... NAMED them, not called them a pain...

Here was Jabez, whose name means pain or sorrow. What kind of a life would you expect from such an individual. But the Bible tells us, he was more honorable than his brothers. He probably had made up his mind that he would overcome the branding of his name. And God looked upon him and granted his request.

His prayer was simple.

1. Bless Me – Ephesians 1:3

2. Broaden effectiveness – Joshua 17:14-18; Proverbs 10:22

3. Guide and Direct – Isaiah 41:10

4. Keep from Evil – Matthew 6:13; 2 Timothy 4:18

5. Protection of self and others – 1 Corinthians 8:12-13;

Romans 14:20-21

6. God Granted – Job 22:27-28; Psalm 116:1-2

…That your joy may be full John 16:24

Psalm 116:1-2 1 I love the LORD, because He has heard

My voice and my supplications.

2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

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Notes from the “Life Application Bible”

Jabez – noted as ‘the one who prayed’

Significant – Jabez is remembered for a prayer, not a heroic act

1. Asked God

2. Bless him

3. Help him in his work

4. Be with him in all he did

5. Keep him from evil and disaster

Jabez acknowledged God as the true center of his work.

When we pray for God’s blessing, we should also pray that HE will take his rightful position as LORD over all areas of our lives.

Jabez prayed specifically to be protected from evil and disaster. We live in a fallen world where sin abounds and it is important to ask God to keep us safe from the unavoidable evil that comes our way. But we must also avoid evil motives desires and actions that begin within us. Therefore we must not only seek God’s protection, but ask God to keep evil form becoming a part of our thoughts and actions.

* * * * *

John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Matthew 7:8

Matthew 21:22

Mark 11:24

Luke 11:10

James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Psalm 116:1-2

I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

John 16:24...That your JOY may be FULL.

The Prayer of Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:10

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.