Praying Like Jabez Series

Finally, Jabez prayed much like Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus said, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” A thousand years before, Jabez prayed, “Keep me from harm so that I will be free of pain.” Quite likely the idea of harm is not so much “keep my life full of good circumstances” as it is “keep me from doing evil.” That is certainly a worthy prayer for all that recognize that they are sinners who need not only God’s forgiveness for past failure but also his protection against future sin. Likewise, the meaning of the last part of the petition “so that I will be free of pain” could be more likely “so that I will not cause pain by my sin.” That ought to be our concern in the Christian life and godly prayer—not just that we live pain free, but that we don’t become a stumbling block to others and cause them pain when they trip over us.

Of course, the writer of Chronicles wouldn’t have included the Jabez story, Wilkinson wouldn’t have written a best selling book about his prayer, and we wouldn’t have ever heard of this little known man from the tribe of Judah if it weren’t for the last part of verse 10—the conclusion of his prayer. This is the punch line, if you please—without it, nothing else is note worthy. AND GOD GRANTED HIS REQUEST! Really, prayer is about answers. It is not about some form of emotional comfort derived from religious self-talk as some describe prayer. It is about asking for God’s blessing, knowing that he hears, and experiencing his answers—in his timing! What would be the point if we prayed and prayed and God never answered!

Conclusion: At first glance, Chronicles reads like Jabez was an exception. He was more honorable than his brothers. We might conclude from this that answered prayer is only for special people. We would be wrong! This is the good news that we always need to hear when we read of powerful prayer lives in the Bible or the pages of Christian history. Answered prayer is for anyone who will seek God, call out to him, and ask for his blessings. This is the message of James 5:16-17, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. “ Jabez, too, was a man just like us!

***Dr. Roger W. Thomas is the preaching minister at First Christian Church, 205 W. Park St., Vandalia, MO 63382 and an adjunct professor of Bible and Preaching at Central Christian College, 911 E. Urbandale, Moberly, MO. He is a graduate of Lincoln Christian College (BA) and Lincoln Christian Seminary (MA, MDiv), and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin).